Well, hello there, lovely! Yep, I’m talking directly to you today. Why? Because I have a question that only you can answer.
This Mother’s Day, did you get what you wanted? 
I’ll bet you opened something totally adorable and handmade with love if you have littles at home! As a matter of fact, I got three of these myself!
- From my 11-year-old, I received a vase of handmade origami tulips complete with blue paper water drops, each listing an adjective that describes me.
- From my 8-year-old, I opened an original hard cover book, authored by him, heralding my “coolness” more than any other characteristic.
- And from my 5-year-old, I was given an original piece of modern art, resplendent in its own “gold” macaroni embellished frame!
These are priceless treasures someone will have to pry out of my wrinkled hands in the nursing home, so let’s get that out of the way right now. And I know that your adorable handmade gifts are, as well!
However, the question remains. Did you get what you wanted? Moreover, does anyone even know what you want? Not which gift they can make for you at the craft table or order for you on Amazon….but what you really want?
Perhaps it’s time to figure that out…
Before you do another thing, I’d love it if you’d reply to this email or comment on this post with your answer to these TWO questions:
1) What’s your biggest desire right now as a modern mom with work to do? Just take a second and tell me in a sentence or two about what you really want right now, in this chapter of life, for yourself. What feeling are you chasing? What goal is on your radar? What dream has captured your attention? What vision is starting to take shape? What change do you want to make? What is it that you WANT?
2) What’s your biggest challenge or struggle right now? Be honest. What is keeping you up at night or causing you anxiety or stress? What problem do you need a solution for? Where are you spinning your wheels without making progress? What are you worried might never change?
That’s it. Just two little questions to get some clarity. For you and for me.
You heard that right. For me, too. Because my mission is to help you make sure you get what you want and get past whatever is in your way.
So, I’d really love to hear your answers to these two questions – just reply to this email or comment on this post, and clue me in! While I can’t promise to respond to every single person, I do promise I’ll read every email personally and will create content in the coming weeks and months based on what I hear from you!
Don’t overthink this.
Just tell me what you really, really want. It’s the first step on the path to getting it.
What I really want is to not be so involved in homework/projects/studying! The double standard of expectations vs. “don’t be a helicopter parent” are crippling sometimes!
I love this! Doesn’t it sometimes feel like you’re going through school all over again? I spent last night learning more than I ever wanted to know about Ancient Mesopotamia!!
Just read your post and thought of this immediately, as I just read it earlier. It sums up beautifully what I–and I think all moms–want.
https://www.aholyexperience.com/2016/05/the-most-life-changing-thing-any-woman-can-do-for-herself-this-mothers-day/
Well….once I get these tears dried, I can craft a proper response. What a beautiful post and a universal truth! Ann Voskamp is so gifted. Thank you for sharing this! I’ve lost count of how many do-overs I’ve prayed for…
I need to start planting the seeds for a work program to be established for disabled people like my son. I don’t want to and shouldn’t wait until my son is an adult to get this process going. Problem is, I want it to happen at/within my husband’s company. Needless to say, that’s a HUGE unknown endeavor to take on. And truthfully, it’s hard to even fathom having the time to start working on that now, when I’m currently tapped out handling my son’s needs, plus my 3 daughters’ needs. How’s that for a “light” goal? ?
What a big, beautiful calling! I love how needs become visible when we are experiencing them personally, as you are when you dream of your son’s future. So often these are the seeds of our callings…
Thank you for sharing this dream here! I’m already chewing on how I can write about the Art of Getting Started!
I just want to feel like I’m not “losing it” all the time. I have a lot of projects up in the air that I’m procrastinating on because I’m not quite sure where to begin (overwhelm). I’m rushing from place to place for work and for the kids, and I just need a minute. That’s all I want…just a minute. A minute so I can be there more for my kids and so I can help them develop their talents and to help them experience the most out of life. A minute to sit back and take it all in and enjoy myself and my family.
I love what’s behind this request for “just a minute” – thank you for sharing this!
My kids are older and how I miss those handmade treasures!
What do I want? Balance. I want to be able to make every game and drive to every practice and have great home cooked meals on the table every night.
I also want to be the best at my job. I don’t want to turn projects down because I am overwhelmed.
I want to be the best wife to my husband. I don’t want to continually put his needs last because I am exhausted each day after filling all my other roles.
I simply want balance in my life.
I know a lot of us can relate to this! Thank you so much for sharing. I can hear that this comes from a deep desire to be of service and to have strong connections. I have some percolating ideas on those subjects and I’ll definitely share them via the blog!