When Control Becomes a Full-Time Job In my last post, The Not-Pinterest-Perfect Halloween , we talked about finding ways to enjoy the holiday without chasing picture-perfect standards. That idea has been growing quietly in my mind for a while now, long before I really recognized the bigger picture of what it meant. It’s not just about pumpkins or front porches, it’s been showing up in the smaller, quieter corners of everyday life. We tell ourselves this is the week the color-coded planner will stick. We spend so much of our time trying to get life right. The right morning rhythm, the right tone when we parent, the right system for keeping it all running. We tweak and plan until “right” starts to feel like the only thing that counts. At some point, without even noticing, we start equating order with peace. I used to believe that if I could just get the structure right, everything else would follow. If the house was clean, I could think straight. If the plan was detailed and th...