Is Your Marshmallow on Fire?

A quick message on burnout, written by a 37-week-pregnant mom at 4am who has just realized insomnia is back and likely here to stay.

I’m scheduled to be induced a week from tomorrow and I decided to take over 2 weeks of vacation to prepare for the arrival of our daughter. I’m one week in and let’s just say… it doesn’t suck.

And by prepare, I don’t mean Lamaze classes, sipping raspberry tea and nesting. 

No, this preparation has been more in the mental detox category. I’ll be extremely honest here - I needed a detox from absolutely everything I didn’t NEED to do. 

Why? Well, because my marshmallow was on fire! 

For the past several months I had been saying “I think I’m burned out,” but earlier today, at 4am as I reflected on this, I realized that it’s not that I didn’t see it coming but more of a slow burn that all of a sudden went into flames before I pulled my stick out of the fire. Because by the time I did, it was almost too late. 

You’ve been there. You’re sitting around an open fire, talking with friends, wrapped in a warm blanket and drooling over that perfect combination of graham cracker crust, melted chocolate and marshmallow that’s about to find your taste buds just before it’s actually cooled off enough to not burn the roof of your mouth. 

Then you see it happening - but it’s like your hand can’t keep up with your thoughts because, poof. That creamy white ball of sugar just became a charred black puff. 

That’s how I felt.

The great news is, a bag of marshmallows isn’t that expensive (even with inflation) and so I get to try again. I get to put a new marshmallow on the stick, and this time, try to pull it out of the fire before it’s too late. 

The reality is - the demands of life will always be there (and how blessed are we that this is true?) 

As I think about it,  I got burned out because I published a book, took on extra responsibilities (and did them well) at a job that helps me provide for my family. I got burned out because even though being a mom and wife is the best - it’s also demanding at times. And, I did “it all” this past year while being pregnant.

What an amazing “problem” to have! 

My point is that I think the real trick is - figuring out how to live your life where your burnout won’t block your blessings. Where your marshmallow doesn’t catch on fire and stop you from enjoying that God-given dessert of life. 

So, I guess now is the point where you want to know how?

Yeah, me too. 

I don’t have the answer yet (give me a break I’ve only been thinking about this for a few days!)- but I can feel myself getting a lot closer. Michael and I have filled the past few days with rest and conversation, and I love that we are tackling this topic together. 

We both realize and appreciate that for us, the reality is we likely won’t be doing “less” anytime soon, but actually more.

More to protect our space. 

More to pour into each other. 

More to prioritize rest. 

More to slow down. 

More to enjoy this beautiful life we have been given. 

Yes, even in the newborn era. 

Because I’m a woman on a mission to show my children how to live a life where our marshmallows aren’t on fire. 

Because I don’t care what you say, it’s all about a lightly golden toast - never a burn.

Always with gratitude, 

C

Song I’m listening to: Another in the Fire by Bethany Worhle

Verse I’m praying on: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)

PS: You may have picked up on the fact that this newsletter is changing a little… I hope you enjoy it and stay with me. If you feel that this would resonate with someone you know, I’d be honored if you would share it with them.