Since my first session as a therapist I have noticed that I repeat myself. From client to client, regardless of age, problem or goal, there are some things that I say over and over. I thought, hmm, maybe I should just write them all down once and you can read them whenever you need. Today we start with the big one. Am I Enough?
Dear precious beautiful reader,
You are asking a question that I believe has been asked by people for 100,000 years. On some level, since becoming sentient we have been wondering if we are enough. So in that regard, you are not alone. You are, by virtue of the fact that you are wondering this, just like everyone else. Congrats, you’re normal.
Though this question seems so simple with its three little words, that couldn’t be further from the truth.
On the one hand, no, you are not enough. There will always be more work to do. There are more people to help, more messes to clean, more chores to finish, more thoughts to think and more creations to create. You will never be finished. You will never reach your fullest potential, so no, you are not, nor will you ever be enough.
On the other hand, yes, currently, right now, especially because you are reading this blog, you are already completely, as is, whether you ever did anything else ever again…enough.
“That doesn’t make any sense, Jennifer. That can’t be true.”
I hear you, I hear you. But think about it, what is enough? It’s a subjective idea. It’s a vibe. It’s satisfaction. It’s an inside job. It’s a full tummy. It’s empty lungs. It’s burnt out muscles. It’s not real. Right now, as you are, you are perfectly allowed to stop all things and declare, “I am now enough.” Because, damnit, it’s true. You just have to say so.
The question is not, “Am I enough.” The real question to be answered is, “How much do I decide is enough?” You can draw that line where ever you want to. You can draw it ten tasks ago and pat yourself on the back as being an over-achiever. Your definition of enough is the only one that really matters.
For example, right now, I’ve said enough.