When everything’s shifting — and your feet aren’t quite on the ground, but your heart still hopes.

I’m not quite sure how I’m still standing upright.

We haven’t even started packing yet… and I’m already running on empty.

This move — emotionally, logistically, spiritually — has been astronomical. There’s no other word for it.

This momma is navigating all the things:

• Quoting moving companies
• Inventorying the house
• Deciding what’s coming and what’s being re-gifted
• Managing the emotions of five humans (including my own)
• Caring for pets, working, and doing all the daily things that don’t stop just because life is shifting

And we haven’t even started boxing it all up.

Somewhere in the midst of it, I’m also trying to find us a place to live back in Illinois.

Details, details.

I’m sad.

I’m excited.

I’m nervous.

I’m exhausted.

I’m all the things — and then some.

But what I am looking forward to is driving up to Illinois for a week and getting to see our family.

I’m really hoping the kids will start to feel a little more positive about going back permanently. Yes, we’ll be house hunting and making some decisions (hopefully), but we’ll also get to just be — to enjoy time with loved ones after being away for four years. Watching fireworks and just being able to take a breath. To pause. To feel hope rising for many more days spent close to the people we’ve missed so much.

I think sometimes we underestimate what a woman holds in her hands during a transition like this.

It’s not just about moving stuff.

It’s about holding everyone’s emotions.

It’s about organizing a thousand invisible details.

It’s about staying strong while your insides feel like unraveling thread.

It’s okay to name that.

It’s okay to be tired.

It’s okay to not be okay.

So if you’re also holding a lot right now — if you’re in a transition, or moving through a season where everything feels like it’s “too much” — just know: you’re not alone.

You don’t have to do it all perfectly.

You’re allowed to take breaks, cry when you need to, and laugh at the absurdity of it all.

You’re allowed to be in between — and still believe something good is coming.

Grace, always.

🤍 -J

Journal Prompt

What are you carrying right now that feels heavy?

What might shift if you gave yourself permission to feel it, name it, or let someone else help hold it for a while?