Some things make it right to the top of our To-Do list. Things like wrapping the peonies and zinnias yesterday and unhooking all hoses for the big freeze this morning. Right now, the outdoor temperature is 22 degrees at 5 am. The cozy wraps we gave them might not be enough.
But there are things we all carry that never quite make it onto the calendar. Not because they aren’t important, circling back to them time and time again. We tell ourselves, “Tomorrow will be better,” or “I’ll do it when I have more time, more energy, more clarity.” And so, they wait.
Some of these things are small. A phone call we’ve been meaning to return, a drawer that needs organizing, a letter we once intended to write. Little tasks that quietly stack up, asking for just a few minutes of our attention.
Others are heavier.
A conversation we’ve been avoiding, a boundary we know we need to set, or a step forward that feels uncertain, maybe even a little frightening. These are the ones that linger in the background, gently tugging at us when the world gets quiet.
While not completely ignored, we carry them with us. They show up in the early morning, before the day begins, and whisper in the evening, when everything slows down. Somewhere inside, we know—they’re not going away.
Life has a way of moving forward whether we are ready or not. Seasons change, opportunities come and go, and the things we keep putting off don’t always wait patiently forever. One thing is for sure. There’s no perfect moment but only this one. Not ideal or guaranteed to be easy, but real.
All it takes is one small step. Dialing the number, opening the drawer, speaking the words, even if our voice shakes a little. On the other side of that step, something will shift. The weight will lighten, and what once felt overwhelming begins to feel possible.
Three days ago, the garden had begun to take root in my studio. Bags of soil, peat pots, and seed packets were everywhere. Projects that I might or might not finish were stacked on the floor. In the middle of it all sat the sewing machine. After a day’s work and a few sore muscles, the studio is waiting for new projects. One “To-Do-Someday” off my list.
We often think we need to find the right time to begin, but more often, the right time meets us in the act of beginning. So today, choose just one thing. Not everything—just one. The thing that’s been waiting the longest. Then, take the first step toward it. You’ll be amazed at the results.
Have a wonderful weekend. I’ll be back on Monday to fill you in on the earthquake and other adventures here on the high desert plains of Northwestern Nevada.