There is nothing normal or acceptable about the current state of America.

I want to say that plainly, because I think a lot of us are moving through our days pretending otherwise, and the pretending is exhausting us almost as much as the reality itself.

I find myself in various stages of grief on any given day. Some days it is anger. Some days it is a deep, quiet sorrow. And some days it is the particular kind of exhaustion that comes from trying to hold yourself together while the world around you feels like it is coming apart at the seams.

I do my best to show up for the people I love and for those who rely on me. But I would be lying if I said that was easy right now. It is not. And I do not think we serve anyone well by pretending it is.

We cannot pour from empty. We cannot hold others if we are not being held. And in a season this heavy, taking care of yourself is not a luxury or an afterthought. It is an act of stewardship over the body God gave you. Of the assignment He placed on your life. Of the people who need you wholly present.

So today I just want to check in. How are you, really? And what is one thing you can do for yourself today that has nothing to do with productivity or output?

You are allowed to need care too.