Top: Parker [c/o] Here Too | Skirt: Parker [c/o] | Shoes: Marc Fischer | Bag: Cult Gaia, Similar | Necklace: Julie Vos | Lipstick: Infatuation | Bangles: Julie Vos
Photography by: Angie Garcia
At the end of 2017, I told anyone and everyone that would listen that 2018 would be my year of, “Rest.” Every lunch with a friend started with, “So, did you know my word for 2018?” I envisioned myself slowing down in every aspect of life and I was beyond excited. I wanted to be in pajamas by 5 pm with reading, hot tea and face masks on the agenda. I prayed a lot about it, and felt assured I would “rest” after we rang in the new year.
But as each week passed, wonderful things started to make life a bit busier. More friends were getting married, dream work opportunities were coming, I was meeting a ton of wonderful new mom friends and getting more involved. Rest wasn’t necessarily on any sort of agenda, but everything coming our way was a blessing.
Deep down, I felt a little confused. I’d tell my best friend, “But I know I’m supposed to rest this year. Why is God bringing in all these wonderful opportunities if I’m supposed to rest?”
I eventually came to the conclusion that I had the entire year, it was only March and maybe rest would come in September. I didn’t feel settled in that thought, but it appeased my confused soul for a bit.
This week was another one where more blessings came, but they kept us moving 90 MPH. As I was bathing Maxi, I started to think, “This just doesn’t make sense. In order to do everything I’m going to be up until 1 in the morning. How is this rest? Was I wrong about how 2018 would go?”
Then, I had one of those God moments where I just realized I could find rest in the fact that these are the best days of my life.
I know that may seem a little cheesy, but the moment that was in my mind, my perspective changed. We truly can find rest in so many scenarios, because we can have peace and contentment in them. I had joy in the fact I had to clean the kitchen after I put her down because it meant I had a toddler eating dinner. What a blessing we have food for her. I felt lucky I got to work until 1 because it meant I do something that I love. What a privilege. I thought, “Yes, I do need sleep, but this week is almost over. How wonderful that I’m healthy enough to function on little sleep this week. Sleep will come this weekend.“
I’m really going to try my best to continually keep that phrase at the front of my thoughts. When we have that small perspective shift of, “I will MISS this busy moment one day.” our positivity and joy increase immensely. Instead of thinking, “Okay, I’ll feel peaceful when I finish XYZ or take care of such and such,” I’m aiming to view each and every moment as potentially the best season in life, and THAT gives me rest because it gives my heart peace. What a relief I can be relaxed in the “now” as opposed to when I accomplish the “now.”
I just felt like I really needed to share that personal moment on the blog, because I know we are all in the same boat. We are one person, and life requires us to be 4 different people at 10 places at once. It’s so easy to look forward to getting through a day or week and there is no fault in that. However, I believe that steals our joy which steals our rest. Ultimately, I’m finding rest may not look like binge-watching This Is Us, but it’s FAR more beautiful to find rest in welcoming each moment in life [good & bad!] with open arms.
This is a great perspective to have, Katey! 🙂 Good on you for sorting out those thoughts in your head. The new change is perfect. ❤️
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Thank you so much, girl! xo
Thank you for this!!! I’ve been getting stressed out by several little things this week and they just seem to keep piling up, so this is just what I needed to read! We all need to be reminded to appreciate what we have. Have a wonderful Friday!! Xoxo
Of course, Robyn! I feel like it’s so easy to feel that way {I do daily!} Have a great weekend girlfriend! xo
Beautifully put! And such a good reminder at the end of another busy (yet fulfilling!) week! Thank you!
Thank you so much, Christi! Thank you for reading! 🙂
I love this so much! What a great reminder. Thanks for sharing! <3
Thank you so much for reading, Kayla! Means so much! xo
Thank you for sharing this!! Exactly what I needed to refresh my way of thinking in this new season of my life! I’m a full-time working mama with a 5 month old and I agree that I often need to remind myself to be thankful for all the extra laundry and bottles I have to wash because that means I’m blessed enough to have my precious boy to take care of! <3
Hi Hannah! Thank you so much for reading and I just want to say great job on balancing both mom life and work life! I don’t think moms are told they are doing an amazing job often enough! xo
THIS WAS EVERYTHING I NEEDED TO READ. Recently I have been really struggling with feeling like I need to do everything that comes my way, but I also really wanted to be able to soak up every moment of the phase of life I’m in and I’ve had a hard time accepting the fact that it’s ok to be busy and it’s okay to have a lot going on. Thank you for always writing such relatable blog pieces!!!
Absolutely girl! Thank you so much for reading!! xo
LOVE THIS!!! You don’t know how much I needed this today!
Thank you so much, Megan! xo
I am obsessed with your hair! I tried to do your tutorial for this look for an event last week…looks like I still have practicing to do on how to french braid, lol. I loved this message, and I’ve been feeling so overwhelmed this week…this was so encouraging and comforting to read! Have a great weekend, whether you get a traditional sense of “rest” or not! 🙂
Thank you so much, Sarah! Haha, yes it does take a little bit of practice with the curling technique! I really appreciate you reading my blog and trying out my tutorials! xo
Great post! I can so relate to rest being in my pjs by 5. ????????????
But it’s true what you said about rest being rest that my child is eating. Such a great perspective. Yes, maybe as moms of littles we are busy but I rest on the blessing that my kids are healthy and able to move around and drive me nuts. Rest in the peace that I have a husband who loves me even if it means I’m up late finishing his laundry. Rest in the good fortune that i have a job I love, even if it means I have to stay a little late.
Absolutely, Maria! Love all your perspectives! Thank you so much for reading! xo
Thank you Katey for this reminder . My kids have been on spring break and I have been having a really stinky attitude lately !! Like everything bothers me. I know I shouldn’t stress on cleaning/ organizing. Thank you for this perspective! I needed to hear this and of course I also need to be praying to God !
Thank you so much for reading, Desi! xo
Oh, did my tired wedding planning soul need to hear this!!! I’ve loved every minute of planning this special day, but with a full time job and a side cookie business it can get exhausting. I needed to read this. <3
Xo- Richelle
Girl, wedding planning is not for the weak! It’s SO much work! Best wishes on your special day! xo, Katey
Katey, you are amazing and this post struck me, and I’m sure all of your readers, deeply! I can’t thank you enough for sharing, encouraging, and inspiring. When I need a little boost, I will think WWKD (what would Katey do?!) 🙂 and remember this little but impactful shift in perspective and attitude that makes all the difference!! XOXO
You are the sweetest, Gabbie! Thank YOU for reading! xo
A million thank yous for this post. God bless you sweet girl for your wisdom as you listen for God’s heart toward you. There are some tough things going on for my husbands health right now and at times feels hard to be at peace and joyful. What a great reminder again to seek His peace During the good and the bad as He walks us through each day. Much happiness for you in this season of blessing 🙂
I will be praying for your husband’s health! I am so sorry for whatever is going on! Thank you for ALWAYS supporting my blog, Amanda! It means so much! xo
This post resonates with exactly how I have been feeling. As the mom of a one week old baby boy, I felt really overwhelmed taking on so much responsibility (especially during the night). Then, I thought to myself, I’m so lucky to have someone so amazing who relies on me so much! This is the best feeling in the world and one day I will look back on this part of my life and really miss it! Good luck juggling everything! Also, you should do a post about how you kept it all together during the first months of Maxi’s life for all the new mama followers!
Can I just say I want to give you the BIGGEST hug right now! You are in the thick of it with a one-week old and I just want to tell you that you are doing a phenomenal job. Also, shocked you even have the energy to read my blog post so thank you from the bottom of my heart because that means so much. Those first two weeks are so hard on us as moms, but you have an incredibly perspective! That is a great post idea! Thank you so much for your kind words. 🙂 xo
Loved reading this. You lead such an intentional and honest life and I love following along. Really really powerful perspective!
Thank you so much, Alli! xo
Love this! Whenever I’m tired yet have so much to do… although I want to fall asleep and give myself a break, I think about how great it is to be busy doing things you love to do. Even when it comes to spending time with friends, I remind myself how difficult it can be to get schedules aligned, so if the opportunity arises, I always try to jump to it! 🙂
P.S. Love this Spring outfit! <3
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