Walking to school, questioning everything

My daughter started kindergarten this week, and I watched her face crumble when she realized I couldn’t walk her to the classroom door after the first day.

The tears came fast. Other kids skipped in without a backward glance.

And suddenly, I wasn’t just worried about her. I was spiraling about me.

Am I too attached? Too soft? Why does everyone else’s kid seem so… ready?

That knot in my stomach? I know you’ve felt it too.

Maybe not about kindergarten, but about that career move you’ve been considering for months while your colleague just announced they’re “excited to share” their new role.

Or that business idea you’re still researching while your LinkedIn feed fills up with “thrilled to announce” posts from people who seem to leap without looking.

Here’s what hit me as I drove home from drop-off:

I was comparing my daughter’s behind-the-scenes to every other parent’s highlight reel.

She is building confidence. She is adapting. She’s just doing it in her own way, on her own timeline. The fact that she needs me as her safe space to process big feelings? That’s not weakness. That’s exactly what she needs right now.

And suddenly I realized: this is exactly what I tell my clients.

That promotion you think you’re “taking too long” to decide on? Maybe you need that extra time to evaluate if it aligns with your values, not just your paycheck.

That career pivot you think you’re “overthinking”? Maybe your careful research and planning will set you up for success in ways that quick decisions can’t.

Your timeline doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s.

After some research, a good podcast, and calls to trusted friends, I remembered: I’m her safe landing spot to feel it all. And maybe you need to be your own safe landing spot too.

Here’s what I’m curious about:

What if instead of judging your process, you trusted it? What if your “slow” decision-making is actually thorough preparation? What if your questions and doubts are signs of wisdom, not weakness?

My daughter will skip into that classroom confidently someday. But right now, she’s exactly where she needs to be.

And so are you.

Talk soon,
Jenny

P.S. If you’re ready to stop questioning your timeline and start trusting your process, I’d love to chat. Sometimes we just need someone to remind us that careful doesn’t mean scared. It means intentional.