How I Do It All (And What People Don’t See)

People often ask me, “How do you do it all?” or they say, “I could never handle that. I can’t imagine.”

What they don’t realize is—I can’t do it all either. And I’m upfront about that.

There have been countless moments in the past year when I’ve broken down in tears in front of my friends and church family, feeling like I was about to crumble. There have been days I didn’t think I could get out of bed, but then I’m reminded what I’m living for and who I serve.

Even this morning, I just wanted to lay there and sulk in my temporary circumstances. But life keeps moving, and I know I have a choice—to stay in that place or to trust that God is working even in the waiting.

This past year has stretched me in ways I never expected—both challenging and rewarding me at the same time.

The Truth About “Doing It All”

So, if you’re wondering how I do it, here’s the truth: I do what is in front of me today and trust the rest to the Lord.

That’s it. No superpowers. No endless capacity. Just taking it one day at a time, as He sees fit.

And to make it all even more interesting? I’ve had Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) long before it became the thing everyone seems to have.

Why a “Full Plate” Works for Me

What I’ve learned about having ADD is that I actually function better with a full plate. But my full plate may look completely different than yours—and that’s okay. Everyone’s plate is a different size and design, uniquely shaped for them.

For me, a full plate doesn’t mean chaos; it means structure. It means having strict deadlines that keep me on task and allow me to help the greatest number of people at one time.

When my plate is full with purpose, my brain thrives. It keeps me moving forward instead of feeling stuck or scattered.

Faith: My Greatest Tool

One of my biggest tools in all of this is my faith—actively and consistently talking to the Lord.

There are many times throughout the day when I pause and ask Him for guidance, strength, or clarity. Whether it’s a small frustration, a tough decision, or a moment of exhaustion, I’ve learned to turn to Him first instead of trying to power through on my own.

I’ve also learned that I need to intentionally build in a reset buffer between hard tasks—especially those that are taxing on my body, brain, or emotions. Taking just a few minutes to breathe, pray, or step away helps me transition with a clear mind rather than feeling drained and overwhelmed.

Trusting God’s Timing Over My Plans

I’m a planner by nature, and I have a strong faith in the Lord, always striving to do my best with what’s in front of me.

But this past year, the Lord has challenged me—not just in my planning, but in truly trusting His will and His timing.

Just this past week, I was confiding in a dear friend about some struggles, and she reminded me of something so simple yet profound:

👉 Nothing happening in my life is a surprise to the Lord. He knows exactly what we need and when we need it.

That truth hit me hard. I may be caught off guard, but He never is.

We Are Not Forgotten

Sometimes, we all need to be reminded that we have not been forgotten or left behind when it comes to the Lord.

He sees us. He loves us. He cares about us and our needs.

That’s why, in those moments of doubt and discouragement, it’s so important that we lean on Him for our strength.

Trying to carry everything alone will only wear us down—but trusting in Him gives us the strength to keep going.

Being Intentional, Not Just Busy

But having a full plate isn’t just about being busy—it’s about being intentional.

The reason I can juggle everything without completely losing my mind is that what I do falls into our mission and vision for our family.

Another reason I’m able to do all the things I do is that everything I commit to aligns with our family’s mission and vision for the future.

When I stay within that framework, things fall into place. But the moment I try to take on things that don’t fit into that mission? That’s when I start feeling overwhelmed.

Breaking Free from People-Pleasing

For most of my life, I’ve struggled with people-pleasing.

I’ve said yes to things I had no business saying yes to, simply because I didn’t want to disappoint others.

But over the past few years, I believe the Lord has been working in me—weeding out the need for approval and replacing it with confidence in His plan.

Learning to say no to things outside of my purpose has been freeing.

It’s a work in progress, but I’m learning that obedience to Him matters more than the approval of those around me.

Every time I release my need for approval and focus on His calling, I find more peace, more clarity, and more room to do what truly matters.

A Challenge for You

So, if you are struggling with burnout, overwhelm, or people-pleasing, consider this:

What is your vision for your life this year, or even over the next five years?

Does the decision you’re facing today positively or negatively impact that vision?

👉 If it has a negative impact, I challenge you to consider why you feel that decision is best for you.

• Are you trying to impress someone or gain their attention or affection?
• Is it pride—feeling like no one else could do this job?
• Or even worse, do you believe that if you don’t do it, it won’t get done?

These are all mindsets that challenge where your trust and worth truly lie.

Where Does Your Trust Lie?

Are you trusting in yourself or in the Lord?

Because if you’re trusting in yourself, the weight will always be too heavy.

But if you’re trusting in Him, He will carry what you were never meant to hold.