So, a raccoon decided my kitchen needed a new skylight, gnawing right through my rubber roof. Cue a torrential downpour (over a month’s worth of rain in just two days), and soon enough, my entire first floor kitchen area was flooded. Since July, I’ve been clearing the mess, navigating insurance claims, contractors, and throwing in my own sweat equity. I can’t help but think, though—if this single repair is overwhelming, what about families in North Carolina, Florida, and beyond whose entire homes are swept away by natural disasters?
My mind keeps returning to the bigger picture—Mother Earth herself enduring these relentless storms of climate change. The pace of change and upheaval feels almost impossible to keep up with. Tragic events are happening all around us, constantly reminding us of the delicate balance we live in.
As my “normal” half of the house has become my refuge, I’ve found myself binge-watching Unsellable Houses. Leslie and Lyndsay from Lamb & Co take on homes that need a major facelift so families can make the most out of their sales. In a recent episode, they used the term “Deferred Maintenance”—repairs that had been neglected or postponed until they couldn’t be ignored any longer.
That phrase really hit home. Personally and professionally, I realize I’ve been deferring my own maintenance. I began to ask myself, “Why?” Why put off the work I know needs to be done?
One of my favorite sayings is, “As within, so without.” If you’ve worked with me, you’ve heard me say it often. Life has a way of forcing us to face what we’ve deferred—whether we want to or not.
This mess with the raccoon and my flooded kitchen has pushed me to reassess not only my home but also myself. Admittedly, I fantasized about taking on that raccoon (it has “definitely” earned my wrath), but instead, I looked up its spiritual meaning. Turns out, the raccoon is a symbol of adaptability and problem-solving. It urges us to see the full picture, not just what we want to see. It also hints at new paths or uncovering hidden truths.
And wow, did that sting. That message struck a nerve: looking at what we’ve hidden or avoided. It’s painfully clear that we’re all now facing the consequences of our “deferred maintenance”—both personally and collectively. We can no longer ignore the areas of our lives, bodies, minds, and spirits that need tending. Likewise, as a society, we’re being called to confront the truths we’ve long avoided.
Now, more than ever, it’s crucial to go within, pause, and gain clarity. I’ve been stepping up my journaling, affirmations, and dusting off my trusted spiritual practices to bring myself back to center. It’s a way of saying, “As within, so without.” Only by tending to our inner selves can we hope to make a difference in the world outside.
So, here’s to addressing our deferred maintenance. May we find the courage to confront it, the wisdom to learn from it, and the grace to transform along the way.
You might want to read my other blog How You Feeling? Audio & Journal Prompt Gift
It explores how neglecting self-care or relationships can lead to burnout or crisis. The piece encourages readers to reflect on what they might be postponing in their lives and take proactive steps to prioritize their well-being.