Before my recent family trip to Spain, I did what any prepared traveler would do. I researched. While reading about all the sights, food, and history, I also came across warning after warning about pickpocketing, especially in places like Barcelona and Madrid. Stories of unsuspecting tourists losing wallets, phones, and even passports made me pause. It wasn’t just about protecting my belongings. It made me think about how often we allow the most valuable things in our lives—our time, energy, and sense of purpose—to be quietly taken away without realizing it.
As a mother of adult and near-adult children, I know how easy it is to let life pull me in a thousand directions. The responsibilities, commitments, and expectations never seem to slow down. But over the years, I’ve learned that if I don’t guard my well-being with the same diligence I’d use to protect my passport, life has a way of slipping through my fingers. Just like an unguarded purse in a crowded plaza, our joy, energy, and sense of purpose can quietly disappear if we don’t pay attention.
If You’re Not Present, You’ll Miss What Matters
When my kids were little, I thought being a good mom meant doing everything perfectly. Having the right routines, signing them up for the best activities, and ensuring everything was perfect. But I’ve realized that what they needed most wasn’t perfection. It was my presence. The real moments that matter happen when we’re fully engaged, whether it’s over dinner, on a walk, or just sitting in comfortable silence together.
Lesson: Put down the phone. Step away from distractions. Look your children in the eyes and truly listen. These moments are fleeting. Don’t let them slip away.
Guard Your Priorities Like You Guard Your Wallet
Before we left for Spain, I made sure our valuables were protected. I invested in anti-theft bags, read up on common scams, and planned how to keep our belongings safe. But it made me wonder how often we let life steal our focus without noticing. We allow our calendars to fill up with things that drain us, say yes when we mean no, and put off what truly matters because we’re too busy keeping up with everything else.
Lesson: Take a hard look at where your time and energy are going. Just like you wouldn’t leave your passport lying around, don’t leave your priorities unprotected.
Saying Yes to Everything Leaves You Empty
One of the things I love most about Spain is how they embrace balance. Meals are unhurried, conversations are deep, and rest is valued. Compare that to our culture, where exhaustion is almost a badge of honor. As mothers, we say yes to everything. Volunteering, social events, extra projects. Until we’re running on empty.
Lesson: Permit yourself to say no. Every unnecessary commitment you let go of frees up space for what fills your cup.
You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup
Parenting doesn’t end when your kids get older. In some ways, it gets even more complicated. The emotional energy it takes to guide and support them as they become adults is huge. And if we don’t take time to recharge, we have nothing left to give. In Spain, self-care isn’t an afterthought. It’s woven into daily life. Whether it’s a midday coffee break, a leisurely walk, or taking time to savor a meal, they understand that rest is essential.
Lesson: Make self-care a non-negotiable. Whether reading, moving your body, or simply sitting in silence, do something that recharges you.
Live with Purpose, Not Just Obligation
Everywhere we went in Spain, there was passion. Whether in music, food, or history, people live intentionally and are deeply connected to their culture and traditions. It was a reminder that life isn’t meant to be a never-ending to-do list. We are meant to live fully, to pursue what lights us up, and to create lives that reflect our values and passions.
Lesson: What brings you joy? What fills you with purpose? Don’t let obligations steal those things away from you. Make time for what truly matters.
Returning home, I realized this trip wasn’t just about traveling. It reminded me to protect my life from being quietly taken away by distractions, obligations, and exhaustion. My children may be growing up, but they still see me as an example. And the best gift I can give them is to show them what it means to live fully, with intention and purpose.
Your life is valuable. Don’t let it be pickpocketed by the things that don’t matter. Guard your time, energy, and joy with the same diligence you’d guard your most precious belongings. In the end, living with intention is the greatest security.