You Don’t Need a 5-Year Plan—You Need a Grounded Soul

The Sweetest Thing I’ve Encountered This Week

Ever feel like you’re witness to something sacred?

That’s what happened to me when I was with a friend. 

This young mama heard her 6-week-old daughter crying—fists clenched, red-faced, inconsolable.

She scooped her up and whispered,

“Hey sweetie, is your nervous system stressed?
You can borrow mine, sweetie. I’ve got you.
You are safe. You are loved. You’re okay.”

Y’all. I had to sit down.
That’s not just a mom. That’s a picture of our Father.

We get worked up in the swirl of decisions and plans and What-Am-I-Doing-With-My-Life spirals… and God says:

“Come here. Borrow My peace. I’ve got you.”

What About YOUR Nervous System?

That precious baby needed to know that everything was alright.

Often we chase things for reassurance. What is it that you’re chasing?

• The checklists.

• The pressure to meet “the timeline.”

• The quiet scrolling comparison game.

• The whisper that says, “You should’ve figured this out by now.”

Friend, if your shoulders are tense and your brain’s buzzing with “do more, be more, hurry up,” take a deep breath.

Let’s slow it down together for just a minute.

The Myth of “Figuring It All Out”

Somewhere along the way, we started believing this idea:

Success = Having the Perfect Plan
Five-year plan. Career ladder. Marriage by 28.
First house, two kids, therapy dog, and a home espresso bar. 

But here’s what I’ve noticed:
You can have a beautiful plan and still feel completely ungrounded. Anxious. Disconnected. Overwhelmed.

Because pressure can’t carry purpose.
Only peace can.

Signs You’re Caught in the Performance Spiral

• You feel like you’re never doing enough, even when you’re doing all the things
  

• You say “yes” out of fear—not desire
  

• You’re constantly asking, “Am I falling behind?”
  
  

  That kind of hustle might look impressive from the outside.
  But it doesn’t lead to a grounded soul.

So What Actually Grounds You?

Certainly not more plans or checklists!

But daily rhythms that help you surrender and breathe in peace from God—again and again.

Here are 3 practices to help you reconnect with God’s pace:

1. Sabbath Rest
   Not just a day off. A sacred pause. A “no” to hustle and a “yes” to holy stillness. What does sweet time with Jesus look like to you? Coffee? Staring at trees?
   
   

2. Journaling with Jesus
   5 quiet minutes. A pen. Honesty. Let your heart exhale. You don’t need to impress Him.
   
   

3. Walks Without a Podcast
   Just trees. Air. Stillness. Listen for the whisper that’s quieter than your to-do list. Notice His beauty that surrounds you. What’s the smallest thing you can notice?
   
   

A Gentle Soul Practice for Today

 Take 5 minutes.
Breathe deep.
Ask yourself (or journal):

“Where am I believing I’m behind?”

What thoughts come up? Are those thoughts serving you? 

How would you reframe your thoughts if you TRULY believe you’re not behind?
You’re being formed.

Not everything holy moves fast.

Some things - like strong roots and grounded souls - take time.

Final Thought

The next time your nervous system feels maxed out and your mind is trying to solve your whole life in one afternoon, pause.

Let your spirit hear His whisper:

“You can borrow My peace. I’ve got you.”