Sharon Otness

Some weeks, life simply asks more of us.

More of our time.
More of our energy.
More of our attention.

And sometimes that’s because we’ve chosen to give more to something that deeply matters to us.

I’m in one of those seasons right now.

I’m learning that when I give more of myself in one place, I may need to ask a little less of myself somewhere else.

That isn’t giving up.
It isn’t falling behind.
It’s recognizing that our capacity isn’t unlimited—and choosing where our energy needs to go right now.

Maybe you need that reminder too.

You don’t have to do everything at once.

Take care of what matters.
Let something else wait.
You can come back to it. 💜

What are you giving your energy to right now?

I know what matters to me.

I imagine you probably do, too.

But knowing what matters and actually creating room for it in our lives can be two very different things.

And this is something I’m working on myself.

Because making room isn’t necessarily about finding another empty hour in the day.

It might be about noticing what’s already taking up our time, attention, and energy.

What have we chosen?

What have we simply fallen into?

And what are we giving space to that may not deserve quite so much of it anymore?

I’m not interested in turning this into another list of things we should be doing differently.

I’m simply getting curious.

Does the way I’m living leave room for the things I say are important to me?

That’s the question I’m carrying with me this week.

Maybe you’d like to carry it with you, too. 🌿

Rest absolutely matters.

Sometimes what our body and mind need most is sleep, stillness, quiet, or simply permission to stop.

But I’m becoming more curious about restoration.

What leaves me feeling a little more like myself afterward?

It might be doing less.

But it might also be stepping outside, tending the garden, making something with my hands, moving my body, having a good conversation, or doing something that brings me joy.

Restoration doesn’t necessarily mean conserving every bit of energy.

Sometimes it’s choosing where we place our energy—and noticing what gives something back.

So maybe there’s room for both questions:

Do I need rest?

and

What would actually restore me right now?

No right answer. Just an invitation to notice. 🌿

One thing I’m continuing to learn about my ADHD:

Sometimes adding more structure doesn’t make something easier for me.

Sometimes it makes it harder to begin.

The routine becomes a rule.
The practice becomes an expectation.
And something that was supposed to support me becomes another thing I feel like I should be doing.

That’s what I’ve discovered with my yoga mat.

What started as a way to take the pressure off has become more of a touchstone—a reminder that this is my time to stop, check in, and choose what feels good.

Sometimes that’s yoga.
Sometimes stretching.
Sometimes meditation.
Sometimes lying on the floor doing absolutely nothing.

And sometimes the mat never even comes out.

Lately I’ve been thinking about how easy it is to drift away from ourselves.
Not because we don’t care.
But because life asks so much of us.
We get busy.
We take care of everyone else.
We keep pushing through.
And one day we realize we’ve stopped noticing the little things that help us feel like...us.
I’ve learned that coming back doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can begin with one deep breath, a quiet walk, a cup of tea, or simply asking, “What do I need right now?”
I’d love to hear from you.
How do you know when you’ve drifted away from yourself? 🌿

Today’s mindful pause came from watching a bee move slowly through the chamomile in my garden.

For a few moments, everything felt quieter.

Not because life suddenly became stress-free…
but because I stopped rushing long enough to notice something gentle.

I think many of us move through our days bracing.
Moving quickly from one responsibility, notification, worry, or task to the next.

But sometimes the nervous system needs tiny moments of softness woven throughout the day.

A slower breath.
A pause in the garden.
Watching sunlight move through leaves.
Listening to birds for one minute before opening the next email.

These small mindful pauses may seem insignificant, but over time they help us feel more grounded, connected, and calm.

This is your reminder that you do not have to earn rest, beauty, or a moment to breathe.

Tiny moments matter.

This is why I seldom leave Seattle in the summer. I’ve created my own haven. For the times we live in it’s my salvation.

One thing I return to again and again when life feels overwhelming is nature.

Not as an escape from reality,
but as a way to reconnect with myself inside of it.

A few quiet moments in the garden can help slow racing thoughts, soften tension in the body, and gently bring us back to the present moment.

Healing and regulation are not always found in grand solutions.
Sometimes they are found in sunlight, birdsong, herbs growing quietly, and a moment to simply breathe.

What small moments help you feel grounded lately? ↓