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A few years ago I heard myself say to a friend “I wish this situation would just resolve itself,” and for whatever reason the phrase “I wish” rang in my ears. The truth was, I had ONLY “wished” about the situation—I hadn’t actually prayed about it

There’s a lot I didn’t feel prepared for when it came to transitioning into my roles as a wife and mother. In the 8 years since I had my first child, I’ve come to realize that the thing I was least prepared for wasn’t the stuff all the parenting books are about, or the things you can desperately Google at 2:00 AM (sleep training, benefits/drawbacks to co-sleeping, fixing an inefficient latch, etc.). I felt trapped, but I wouldn’t dare talk openly about it, because from an outsider’s perspective, I truly did have “it all. Why didn’t the women who fought so hard for me to have a legitimate place in the workforce so much as mention how excruciating it would be to maintain that position once I started a family?

In exposing ourselves to the the noise and digital garbage of today’s world, we unintentionally place ourselves in a near-constant state of alarm, or outrage, leaving little energy to notice the quiet issues closer to home that are begging for attention. If you’re trash-averse, then every time you think to reach for your phone, take a beat and notice how you’re feeling in that moment I’m sharing “notice and do” because it’s brought me great peace when so many things appear to be out of sorts, and it keeps me committed to continuing to play my small part in putting things right. When I’m distracted by loud voices, remind me to turn my attention to you, and listen deep for your still small voice, which always points the way to truth, to grace, and to life.

Summer is supposed to be this joyful time of togetherness, memory-making and squealing children dancing in the sprinklers, but the idea of being constantly surrounded by people (even my own people), and frenetic summertime energy – honestly, it used to make me anxious. Over the years, rather than scolding myself for my introverted nature, I’ve begun looking at the different facets of myself: body, mind and soul and asking a few guiding questions to help me determine what I need to thrive and feel nourished over the summer, and avoid social burnout and anxiety. I hope these questions help guide you in creating the space you need to thrive, so that on the other side of this summer you feel like a nourished, renewed version of yourself. No, this practice won’t magically transport you to the perfect introvert-paradise, but the simple knowledge that you have something to look forward to that nurtures your natural disposition can be enough to propel you through the next high-energy summer activity, and give you the sense of peace you need to enjoy it.