My Next Right Thing

Why I'm turning the page and what this means for you...

This morning I dropped Shia off at daycare and ran errands… dropping off a Goodwill donation that has been sitting in our trunk for months, purchasing a book of stamps from the post office, completing a return at UPS and another one at Whole Foods (isn’t it funny how Amazon returns get dropped off there?), filling up our gas tank and more.

I took a detour on the way home to have a date with myself. I couldn’t recall the last time I’d done that, but the company I’m now working for gave us this entire week off. (Such a gift!) So, with no time constraints and encouragement from E to do something for myself, I went to Canyon Coffee; one of my favorite spots in our neighborhood. I sat at a table outside, basking in the sun and people watching while enjoying a brown sugar latte with a slice of fresh carrot coconut bread. At that moment, I felt completely at peace. And not the kind of surface peace that’s inevitably felt when a mom gets to sit by herself and enjoy a treat sans toddler at her hip – though that is certainly one type of bliss I’ll never turn down. 

It’s been nearly two weeks since I had an iced latte out. I’m really into making them at home now, so this was a real treat!

I’m talking about a deep, inner peace when your heart, soul and mind are aligned with God.

Something deep within me nudged me to tell you, and so I raced back home to write this letter. 

Two months ago, I shared Why Getting a “Real” Job Was Best for Me, My Family, & (Surprisingly) My Business. 

Hitting “publish” on that was energizing and allowed me to express the layers behind my decision to pivot vocationally. But what I didn’t write about in it was the stirring of the Holy Spirit within me that’s been unignorable for quite some time.

In 2019, I was a guest on someone’s podcast and the person interviewing me asked, “Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?” A question we all love pondering despite not having a clue what tomorrow will bring.

Without overthinking it, from my gut I answered, “I don’t know much, but I really hope and believe it will be a small, simple life.”

Why is that what came up? 

I think the truth comes out when we answer from the gut without overthinking it; at least, that’s often been true for me. In the interview, I wasn’t answering with what I thought would be impressive or what someone would expect me to say. I just word-vomited the truth. 

What did I mean by “small” and “simple”? 

Let’s not confuse small or simple for meaningless or easy, because that is not what I meant. I said small in the sense that I didn’t see myself (or want to see myself) on big stages or as the center of attention. I think I meant small as in rooted and local. I said simple in the sense that I didn’t see myself (or want to see myself) striving, stressed out, and multi-tasking incessantly. I think I meant simple as in clear and open-handed.

Since that interview more than four years ago, SO MUCH has changed. The path hasn’t been linear, but God has been gently guiding me towards a small and simple life. At times, I’ve resisted. But in the past year especially, I’ve surrendered and ultimately enjoyed the direction I’m being steered. 

A few months ago, it became increasingly clear what I needed to do both from a place of obedience and in order to love myself well.

Be present where my feet are – with our local friends and community. Prioritize the health of my soul, marriage, and relationship with my kids above all else. Raise Shia and very soon, baby L, too with intentionality and full attention. Provide respite foster care and remain involved in volunteer and advocacy work that assists families who are in crisis. Do more of what matters and less of everything else. Say no even to really wonderful opportunities because I’m a human being not a human doing. This is what it means for me to live a small and simple life. It won’t always be easy or comfortable – I’m still saying yes to following Jesus and that means things will be messy and challenging a lot of the time. But I’m trusting that, in the words of Emily P. Freeman, this is me doing my next right thing. 

I need to let go in order to move forward. And so I’m doing just that. 

While this may come as a surprise to you, I sincerely hope that you don’t pity me or feel sad on my behalf. It’s a decision I feel so harmonious and confident in.

Since that was a lot to unpack, here’s a concise breakdown of exactly what’s happening:

• A Longer Table Podcast will be coming to an end. For the remainder of this year, I’ll occasionally release an episode (pop-up style) because I have dear friends and people whose stories need to be heard by a wider audience that I still want to share. In a couple of months, the podcast will be ending entirely.

• I’ve paused all billing for paying subscribers to this email newsletter indefinitely. I’ll still be writing here, but it will no longer be on a regular cadence. (Think pop-up style!) And I’ll continue sharing tangible needs of families who are in crisis for those who want to partner with me in assisting.

• Soul Care Retreats may resume in 2024, but that remains to be seen.

• All of my work with coaching clients will be wrapping up this year and I will likely take all of next year off from it entirely.

• Everything I offer in my shop will remain available to those interested.

• I will continue working on my next book, and have no desire to rush the creative process. I want it to be published when I feel confident that it’s in the best place to serve you and I can’t say if that will be next year or three years from now.

• The way I show up on social media will be similar to how I have been: impromptu, unplanned, and just for fun. 

I’ve never been good at hanging up the towel because it usually feels like a defeat. But this is a victory, and I wanted to release it properly. 

Goodbye parties have typically felt far too vulnerable for me. In fact, I look back and laugh at how E and I pulled an Irish-goodbye on our Chicago community. Yet, this isn’t really goodbye… it’s more of “I’ll see you when I see you.”

Here’s to doing the next right thing. May we follow God, and do so unapologetically. 

Overflowing with love and gratitude for you, 

Manda

ICYMI: We recently provided respite care for the sweetest 5-month old baby girl and Shia was absolutely smitten with her!

I would love all of your best tips on transitioning from one to two kids :)

This is (almost) 30 weeks pregnant, eek!