I’m running around like crazy, categorizing seeds on spreadsheets, planning a photo shoot, doing last-minute winter sowing, getting ready to test 2 recipes, driving my kid to get his wisdom teeth taken out and finding he’d written down the wrong day, muttering “I don’t have time for this!” and “Such a long-a**, crazy day already!” What a surefire way to worsen my frustration and develop an ulcer along the way.

And then I’ve just tried saying to myself, “Wow, I GET to do all of these things that, even if they weren’t for my job, I’d love to do them anyway!” and “How incredibly special is it that I get to do my dream job of cooking and gardening and sharing my challenges and triumphs with a wonderful community? And to be here for my family when they need me?” What a cathartic and deeply soothing mind shift within seconds! I’ve just breathed a huge sigh of relief.

Here are some photos of flowers from the garden, further emboldening my strength to hold on until spring, and reminding me even more why I’m doing this. I need to maintain this perspective more often going forward!