A Phase, Maybe

I have a new obsession ✨

“Is this a phase?” my husband asked recently. (He knows my history of unashamedly diving onto the bandwagon, going all in, and then completely burning out with nothing short of hardcore emotional fallout.)

But this time feels different.

At our family reunion a couple of weeks ago, my youngest sister set her tackle box on the kitchen table. It was full of brilliant-colored, tiny rubber bands…

She didn’t need to say, “We’re going to make bracelets.” Our curiosity was piqued. “Can you help me decipher these instructions?” she asked instead, shuffling through the complicated pamphlet. I was already hooked.

Hours later, everyone at our Airbnb was wearing one of our creations.

This new adventure…

Forces me to slow down.
Feels calming and centering.
Helps me be generous.

My sister still has that silly tackle box somewhere at home. I have my own kits now too—yes, kits, plural—complete with half-memorized instructions and fancier bracelet designs and techniques waiting to be attempted.

Earlier this week, something seemed off with a teammate of mine. Later, she admitted to having a hard day and being on the verge of tears. A lot was happening beneath the surface.

I didn’t need to ask or understand. I took the rubber band bracelet I was wearing—with its pops of coral and white and pink (one of her favorite colors)—and placed it on her wrist. No words needed; she just smiled.

When she was feeling better and back to work, she told me how much that moment meant. And that she’s going to do the same thing for someone else.

Somewhere in your house, the coffee shop, the studio, there’s a version of this. That thing you picked up once and haven’t put down since. Or the something you’re scared to pick up again. It doesn’t have to make you a dime. And it doesn’t have to make sense to anyone watching or listening.

If it causes you to slow down just enough to notice you’re happy, or you’ve had the opportunity to make someone else happy, mission accomplished.

My new obsession isn’t really about rubber bands or bracelets.

It never was.

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