What Really Matters

What Really Matters? A Nudge For You to Pause and Reflect

If there’s one question that can shift the entire course of your day, it’s this:“What is truly important to me right now?”

Most of us go through life on autopilot. We get busy, we check boxes, we fill calendars, and before we know it, we’ve built a life that looks full, but feels strangely empty.

I’ve been there. There were years when my days were so consumed with doing—working, achieving, meeting everyone else’s needs, that I never paused to ask myself what really mattered.

And when I finally did, I realized the things I valued most weren’t always reflected in how I was living.

Categories We All Wrestle With

When I work with clients (and even in my own self-reflection), I notice that what feels most important often falls into a handful of categories:

1. Health & Wellness

   Without our health (physical, emotional, and spiritual) everything else becomes harder. Wellness isn’t about perfection, but about energy, vitality, and feeling good in your own skin. That could mean nourishing meals, regular movement, or simply making time for rest.

2. Financial Health

   Money isn’t everything, but financial stress can weigh on every area of life. Financial health means feeling stable, confident, and in control of your resources. Not necessarily “wealthy”, but aligned with how you want to live.

3. Free Time

   Time seems to be what we all crave. Do you make time in your days for play, creativity, or simply doing nothing at all? Free time gives us breathing room to enjoy the life we’re working so hard to build.

4. Contributions to the Community or the World

   I think most of us have a desire to make an impact. For some, that’s volunteering or giving back. For others, it’s mentoring, creating, or using their voice for change. Contributing to something bigger than ourselves adds meaning that achievement alone can’t provide.

5. Family & Relationships

   At the end of the day, it’s often our connections that matter most. Whether it’s family, close friends, or chosen community, investing in relationships that support and nourish us creates a sense of belonging and love.

My Own Wake-Up Call

Honestly, there have been times where I was out of balance in every one of these categories. I was overworked, under-rested, reactive, and constantly telling myself I’d “catch up” later. But later never came.

One small example: I used to push my health to the back burner, telling myself I didn’t have time to exercise or prepare nourishing meals. But without energy, everything else—work, family, even joy—felt harder. In fact, I’m still working on this one, trying to make sure I MOVE MY BODY.  This is hard because I work at a desk.  But I am working on it!

Or financially, I’ve had moments where I was hustling to get ahead but not aligning my spending with what actually brought me happiness. Free time? Forget it. Community? It was on my “someday” list. Family? They got the leftovers of my energy.

When I finally paused long enough to ask myself what was really important, I realized that the way I was living and the life I actually wanted were out of sync. That pause was the beginning of change.

A Simple Exercise for You

Here’s something you can try today:

1. Write this question at the top of a page:

   “What is most important to me right now?”

2. Reflect on the five categories:

   • Health & wellness

   • Financial health

   • Free time

   • Contributions to the community or world

   • Family & relationships

3. Choose one thing in each category that feels meaningful to you in this season. Don’t overthink—just jot down what comes to mind.

4. Take a look at your calendar, habits, and energy. Are they aligned with those things, or pulling you away from them?

Sometimes the gap between what we say is important and what we actually prioritize is the reason we feel restless or unfulfilled. Awareness is the first step toward alignment.

So this Friday, I invite you to pause. Breathe. Ask yourself the question. And then, little by little, begin to shape your days around the things that matter most to you—not to anyone else, but to you.

Because when your life reflects what’s truly important—your health, your finances, your free time, your contributions, your family—that’s when you begin to feel grounded, fulfilled, and at peace in your own skin.

Sometimes the hardest part is pausing long enough to ask yourself the question. If you’d like support in creating space for what matters most, let’s connect.

Love to all,

Ruthie