When I stopped working (for money) last November, I experienced a wild mix of emotions. I was thrilled to move on to this new chapter of life, excited to actually do what I had spent the past two years prepping to do in my master’s program, curious about how I would spend my days and how my life would change, looking forward to more time outside, and, of course, plenty of fear that I wouldn’t have enough. I was in a privileged position. We had been planning for this transition for years. Both Steve and I were capable of working full-time if that’s what we needed to do. We had been saving a chunk of our income for our entire careers. And, still, it was easy to slip into fear. 

To stop the swirl, I found it very grounding to pause and define “enough” for myself. And when I stopped to list out what was enough, it was a pretty short list: 

• Close and growing relationships with spouse, kids, and a couple of friends
• Time to move my body outdoors
• A faith community where I am learning and serving
• Daily quiet time to read, listen, reflect, and ask
• Enough money to not stress about food or shelter
• A way to invest my skills and gifts

When I start to spin out in fear or concern, I can return to this list and recognize that I have more than enough. 

What’s on your “enough” list? How does it make you feel to return to this list?