I’ve written about this before, but it’s something I continue to circle back to.

Lately, I’ve felt an imbalance in my life, a subtle but noticeable shift in me. My emotions feel scattered. My self-love and confidence are dipping. I catch myself replaying moments in my head, wondering if I said the “right thing” in the group chat. I refresh my fantasy league app more times than I care to admit, hoping my projected score has improved since the last time I checked… just five minutes ago.

Where is this coming from?

Somewhere along the way, my attention drifted from being to getting. My focus has been on outcomes rather than intentions. When I place all my energy on the result, I lose touch with the process, the intention, the “why” behind what I am doing. And that misalignment between intention and behavior has left me feeling anxious, disappointed, and exhausted.

To find balance again, I’m starting with my intention, “my why.” What truly matters to me in this season of my life? Once I’m clear on that, my goal is to align my behaviors and choices with those intentions. I owe it to myself to live in a way that reflects my purpose, not my distractions.

When I think about this idea through the lens of Early Childhood and learning with young children, the connection feels natural. Young children live almost entirely in the present moment. They approach each task; albeit building with blocks, pretending with dolls, or painting a colorful picture, with pure intention. Their focus isn’t on perfection or results; it’s on curiosity, process, and discovery.

Maybe that’s the lesson I need to relearn: to be more like the children I teach and learn alongside. To slow down. To notice. To experience without rushing to the outcome.

By paying closer attention to my why and living more intentionally, I can cultivate the same sense of wonder, patience, and growth I hope to nurture in the children around me.