Just Show Up

You came here for a reason. You planned ahead. Reserved a spot. It’s Monday, and the morning school drop-off is never easy, and entirely too early. Your well-meaning “I can do it myself!” 5-year-old swung his backpack into the car with such hearty gusto that he knocked your coffee right out of your hands – it sadly drips down the driveway like the tears you hold back.

You think about cancelling – you have so much work to do and your phone is blowing up with all the texts, all the missed calls, and all the emails. It’s only 7 AM – how could you be behind already? You forgot to re-schedule that dentist appointment, and you really should have bought groceries yesterday – how many more nights will the kids tolerate “smorgasbord” dinner – AKA, whatever you can piece together from the fridge and pantry…

Your neck aches from another sleepless night – the baby is teething, and wakes up needing you and only you every couple hours. Your head pounds between your temples – did you even finish that cup of coffee? No wait, it’s remnants seep into your minivan’s already goldfish strewn floor. Ick…when’s the last time you had the car washed, anyway? The buzzing of voices snaps you back to reality, “Mom….mom? MOM!” Yes, yes…time to go.

So here you are. You step into the yoga room. It’s dark, just the way you like it. Candles surround the space – little flickers of hope that beckon you, invite you to slow down. You roll out your mat, gather your props, close your eyes, and settle into your space. Deep breath in….deep breath out…ahhhh….you made it. Against all the odds. Against the little chattering taskmaster in your head that’s telling you to be doing something else instead. The 90s kid inside you imagines your best “Talk to the Hand,” to this little taskmaster, and like magic, it retreats into the shadows. You go girl, you silently repeat to yourself. Yeah, you really are a 90s kid.

Showing up isn’t just half the battle. Showing up is THE battle. Because let me tell you, once you roll out your mat, the beauty of the practice reveals itself. Whether you need a moment just for yourself, a community to lean on, a long uninterrupted breath, movement that shifts stagnant energy…whatever it is, I promise, you will find what you need. Trust the practice. Honor your body. Honor your breath. Honor the moment. Just show up.