Doing Less to Experience More

August is a funny month. It holds the edge of two seasons, the overlap of two states of mind. One foot is still in the sand, savoring the slower pace of summer, the freedom of unscheduled afternoons, and the chance to breathe a little deeper. The other foot is already slipping into a back-to-school shoe, stepping into calendars, commitments, carpools, and all the busyness that comes with fall. We feel it everywhere—at the pool when the lifeguards suddenly seem more vigilant, in the stores with shelves full of backpacks and pencils, even in the shift of evening light. The transition is subtle, but it’s undeniable.

Recently, I came across a phrase that has stayed with me: “Big life, small worries. Small life, big worries.” It struck a chord. The idea is simple but profound—when we are zoomed out, grounded in our purpose, and focused on what truly matters, the little stressors don’t weigh us down as much. But when we lose that perspective, life starts to shrink. We find ourselves fixating on the tiniest issues, reacting to every email, every signup sheet, every to-do list with urgency and anxiety.

I find myself oscillating between those two states more often than I’d like to admit. There are days when I’m clear, energized, and centered. Then there are days I’m completely caught up in the minutiae— if I’m contributing enough, doing enough, being enough. That phrase—Big life, small worries—reminds me to pause. It nudges me to consider what my “Big Life” looks like. And more importantly, what kind of mindset and practices do I need to live in that space consistently?

Over the years, I’ve started drafting what I call personal “Mission Statements” for different areas of my life: mental, physical, spiritual, and relational. These aren’t long or elaborate. Sometimes it’s just a sentence or two that helps orient me. They act like internal signposts, reminding me of who I want to be and how I want to show up for myself, my family, and my community. For example, in the spiritual quadrant, my mission might be to remain rooted in gratitude and grace, even when life gets hectic. Physically, it could be to prioritize health not as an aesthetic goal, but as a way to have energy for the people and experiences that matter most. Relationally, I might aim to be present with my children and my husband. When I ground myself in those values, I start to make different choices. I don’t say yes to every volunteer role just because no one else will. Instead, I ask: Does this fit within the life we’re trying to build? Will this help us thrive or just keep us busy?

Of course, this isn’t always easy. The world around us tends to celebrate hustle, achievement, and being constantly on the go. But I’m learning to celebrate discernment. Boundaries. Breathing room. It’s not about doing less for the sake of being lazy—it’s about doing less so we can experience more. August is the perfect time to reflect on all of this. It’s a natural season of shift and reset. Before the full demands of fall descend on us, we still have a chance to be intentional. To take a walk with our kids and talk about what they’re excited (or nervous) about for the year ahead. To sit on the porch with our partner and check in—how are we doing? To look inward and ask: What do I want this season of life to feel like?

It doesn’t mean we won’t still be busy. Life, especially with kids, is full. But there’s a difference between a life that is full and a life that is frenzied. One feels nourishing. The other feels depleting. The way we enter a new season often determines how we experience it. And I, for one, want to experience it with clarity and intention.

So as we begin this back-to-school stretch, I encourage you to take a moment to think about your Big Life. What does it look like for you? What small worries can you let go of? What can you say “no” to, so you can say “yes” to what really matters? We won’t always get it right. I certainly don’t. But I believe every time we pause and reset, we move closer to the life we want to live—the one where the seasons change, yes, but we remain rooted in what truly matters.