“It’s been a busy season.”
“What a busy season!!”
“Sorry, it’s been such a busy season.”
“We’re just coming out of a really busy season.”
These are all things you have probably heard people say or perhaps you have said them.
I would define a “busy season” as a period of time that is marked by a greater-than-normal number of activities and/or events. It’s definitely a term that is thrown around a lot. The term is probably used correctly, but it tends to lose its meaning when used frequently.
You see, a busy season is supposed to be a period of time, but it seems as though these periods of time are becoming longer and longer and merging into one another.
I just recently heard a mom talk about the craziness of the spring and stopped to consider her words. I was very curious to hear why she ultimately referred to the spring as “crazy busy”. She went on to describe the increase in activities, invites, and events at the end of the school year. Everything she said did reflect a crazy time of the year, but I had to pause and wonder…
What about the fall? Don’t people consider the fall, the start of the school year, busy?
What about the months leading up to the holidays? Those are crazy. Right?
Oh, yes, and then the actual holidays, those are definitely busy. That’s what everyone says.
Then there are those few months after the holiday season. Can we call those “less busy”? Maybe.
Oh, now we’re back to spring. Crazyville.
Summer. That’s a slow time. Right?…I think so. I hope so.
Then when digging deeper we realize that we often call life with little ones a busy season. When our kids start going to school we enter another busy season. Life with teenagers is often labeled as busy.
Do you see? One busy season quickly leads to another.
There have been and will be busy seasons in life (although it’s not something I’m aiming for). I just don’t want one busy season to lead to a bunch of busy seasons which leads to an overall busy life. I do not want to get to the end of my life, look back, and remember my life as busy.
If you feel like every season of life is a busy season then I believe you have 2 choices: 1) Stop the craziness (aka the busyness) or 2) Stop calling everything you do “busy”. Life is full of events and activities, people and projects, opportunities to serve and needs to meet. We don’t have to label it all as busy. Sometimes we call busy that which is simply life.
Make sure your next busy season doesn’t morph into a busy year and before you know it a busy life. Live your life, to the full, but don’t forget to let go of some of that busy.
What about you? What are you doing to make sure your busy seasons remain for just a season? I would love to hear from you, so leave me a comment below!!
Until next time,
Charissa
5 Books that Have Inspired and Encouraged the Not So Busy Mom
My husband and I talk about this all the time. We always say, well it will slow down next month, and it never does. We’ve since adopted the tactic that and yes = a no. If we want to have a quality family dynamic we can no longer just agree to do things, we first have to evaluate if it fits our overall family goals and what other thing we are willing to give up in order to take that one on.
I’m glad others see it too!
I’m glad you and your husband are on the same page, Aly…and are making intentional choices to let go of busy. 🙂
With two little ones at home, I can totally relate. Lately, I’ve really tried to make it a point to slow down and enjoy them. Great post!
Thanks for reading, Lindsay!
What an insightful post! I never considered this but you’re totally right – I love your two pieces of advice.
I must admit, I’ve used the term “crazy busy” all too much. LOL. As a working mom, I find it hard not to be! But really, it’s just life, and you are right- we have to make an effort to make things settle down and not put so much on our plates.
You’re right, Jill. It really is about those intentional choices we can make each day to leave the busy behind. 🙂
I’m trying to let go of some of the busy. It’s hard work, but worth it!
Yesss, couldn’t agree with more!
I love this! Such great advice!
🙂
Yes! I definitely need to stop the craziness. For far too long now I’ve been telling myself “this will slow down after that happens” “as soon as I get past X then things will be less crazy”. But it hasn’t really happened much. Lately I’ve come to the realization that I need to make a change because things aren’t going to magically change on their own.
Yes, Justine!! Realizing that a change is needed is HUGE! Make small, daily steps to let go of busy and slow down, and I think you will slowly begin to see the change you desire. Feel free to contact me for advice or encouragement!!
I am definitely guilty of wearing my busy-ness as a badge of honor! Since having my son I’ve been intentionally taking things a lot slower- it’s wonderful!
Yay! for slower days, Terrin!!
Charissa, great post! My husband and I intentionally don’t make our lives busy. We have five little children, but we still can choose to not be busy. Yes, there are times where circumstances cause you to be busy. But it all comes down to the lifestyle you choose to live. Thanks for this encouragement!
Thanks for your kind words, Denise! It’s all about living with intention!! It’s easy to busy our lives (especially when it looks like that’s what everyone else is doing), but you can intentionally choose to create a full lifestyle without all the busy!