Capacity is
elastic.

When you're at the beginning of a new journey, endeavor, project, or goal, it's hard to look at everything that's currently on your "to do" list and imagine how you'll ever find the time and energy to make it happen. But you do. You probably have before, and you will! Because capacity is elastic. 

Elasticity means something has the ability to change. It expands and contracts. It's not stuck in one shape or size. We talk about full plates and balance, but really neither of those metaphors are an accurate representation of what we have available. While you do only have a certain number of hours in a day, your energy and ability to creatively find solutions don't fall under the same limits. They can expand and contract when they need to.

I say when they need to, because while it's healthy to expand and contract regularly, there's no need to overstretch just because we can--or just because other people around us are displaying more capacity. This is an individual experience, and your capacity doesn't have to win a prize for the biggest stretch.

Likewise, we should be careful not to over-stretch our capacity. We need to be gentle, and give ourselves time to adjust. If you max out a rubber band that hasn't stretched yet (or hasn't stretched in a while), it will snap. Don't snap your capacity! It's not fun for anybody! (I miiiight be speaking from experience here. #lastsemesterwasanightmare)

As I begin a new and particularly heavy semester (final one before graduation!), I find myself needing constant self-reminders that I can do this. My capacity will expand and contract the way it needs to, and I can recruit and design the support I need. 

If something is tapping you on the shoulder, ready to be created, let me include you in these reminders. We can rock it together. You can do this! We can do this. Our capacity is elastic.