FROM CHAOS TO CLARITY, BY JENNIFER MCGEE
November 3, 2025
Over the past few years, I’ve realized something that’s both humbling and hard to admit: my husband and family have mostly been getting the “scraps” of me left over from my busy schedule. Between the constant travel, meetings, events, and everyday work tasks, there wasn’t much left in the tank by the time I got home. My husband started taking pictures to prove it and as you can see, he wasn’t wrong!
But what really hit me wasn’t just the exhaustion - it was the mental fog that came with it. When you’re stretched too thin, even the simplest things start to slip through the cracks. You put the wrong practice time in the calendar. You forget a birthday. You walk into a room and can’t remember why. You’re moving fast, but not moving forward.
But here’s the thing: it wasn’t that I needed a break from work. I love what I do. What I really needed was to refocus my energy and clear out the white noise, the constant busyness that drowns out what truly matters. It was time to quiet the chaos!
The truth is, you can’t do everything well when you’re trying to do everything at once. You must prioritize what truly matters - not just what’s urgent, but what’s meaningful. When you start aligning your time with your values the noise starts to fade, and the clarity returns.
Sometimes we mistake productivity for purpose. We keep adding more, thinking the next milestone or event will bring balance, but balance doesn’t come from doing more, it comes from being intentional with your time.
Taking a step back gave me space to reflect and reset my priorities. I started saying no to things that drained me, yes to things that filled me, and made more room for the people who have loved me through every chaotic season.
It’s easy to get caught up in the rhythm of responsibility, but I’ve learned that being in tune with your loved ones, and with yourself, isn’t a luxury. It’s essential. So I leave you with reminders to:
- Pause
- Listen
- Prioritize
- Refocus
And most importantly, to show up fully - not just with what’s left of you, but with your best.
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Jennifer McGee
Past President, WEN Missouri
Vice President Customer Relations & Strategic Management, Manhattan Pipeline, LLC
