What Is Worth Tending in This Season?
Updated: Oct 15
Tending is a gentle word.
It brings to mind caring for something we want to keep alive. We give it attention, notice what it needs, and protect it from being crowded out.
In this season of life, tending does not have to mean taking on another responsibility. It may mean caring more intentionally for what already matters.
Tending to Ourselves
Many of us have spent years tending to everyone else. We noticed what our families needed, responded to problems at work, and remained available because people depended on us.
There was value in that care. But somewhere along the way, we may have begun overextending ourselves.
Tending to ourselves may begin with noticing what repeatedly leaves us depleted, resentful, or disconnected from our own needs.
Sometimes the answer must be no. At other times, it may be, “Not now,” or, “Let me think about it.”
We do not have to respond immediately to every request. Creating space before answering allows us to consider whether we have the time, energy, and desire to say yes honestly.
Tending to Our Health
Our physical and emotional health deserves consistent care. We may need to pay closer attention to rest, movement, nourishment, medical care, stress, and the feelings we have been setting aside.
Taking care of our health is not selfish. It helps us remain present for the life we have worked so hard to build.
Emotional care matters, too. We can acknowledge when we are overwhelmed rather than pushing through automatically. We can ask for support before exhaustion becomes our normal state. Being strong does not mean carrying everything alone.
Our health is not something to address only after everything else is finished. It is worth tending now.
Tending to Our Peace
Guarding our peace does not mean avoiding every difficult person or conversation.
Sometimes peace requires a boundary. Sometimes it means walking away from an argument that will accomplish nothing. At other times, peace requires adding our voice to something that matters.
Wisdom is knowing the difference.
We can pause before speaking and ask what we hope our words will accomplish. Are we responding from anger, fear, or the need to be right? Or are we speaking because honesty, fairness, or care requires our voice?
Reflection does not weaken our voice. It helps us use it with intention.
Tending to the Courage to Begin
A small voice may whisper that we are not ready. It tells us we need more experience before speaking up, that the plan must be perfect before we begin, or that trying something new may expose what we do not know.
That voice can sound reasonable, but sometimes it is fear asking us to wait indefinitely.
We can prepare without waiting for perfection.
We can speak thoughtfully without knowing everything. We can begin with one small step and learn along the way.
Our desire to create, contribute, and try something new is worth protecting.
Choosing What Receives Our Care
Fall invites us to notice what has taken root. It also asks us to decide what deserves continued care.
Not everything needs equal access to our time and energy.
Our health is worth tending. Our peace is worth tending. Our voice, creativity, and emotional well-being are worth tending.
Perhaps this season is not asking us to do more. Perhaps it is asking us to care more intentionally for what helps us remain connected to who we are.
What in your life is worth tending more carefully in this season? If you feel comfortable, please share in the comments below.
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