By Heather Backman

One day, I hit a breaking point. Something had to change—or I was going to lose it. I was drowning in responsibilities: taking care of five kids, trying to keep the house clean, building a business, and squeezing in homework for two different courses that ate up three nights a week. I could barely keep going. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and had no idea how to keep it all together.

That’s when a trusted friend and mentor gave me some unexpected advice: play. She told me to let go of all the responsibility—even if just for a little while—and just relax and play.

At first, I resisted. I honestly couldn’t see how playing was going to help me get anything done. But she was confident: it would help. So I decided to take a leap and give it a try.

It just so happened to be Labor Day, and instead of sticking to the plan of knocking out housework and “honey-do” projects, I made a bold choice: we were going to play as a family. No lists. No agendas. Just fun. We took a day trip to the mountains—kayaking, fishing, hiking, eating, swaying in the hammock—just being together.

And oh my goodness… it was exactly what I needed. I felt alive again. The tension melted. And for the first time in a long while, I could see clearly: all the things I thought were so urgent and important? They could wait. Things would still get done. It would all fall into place.

The following week felt totally different. Lighter. Easier. I got everything done that needed doing—and let go of the stuff that didn’t. I was stunned! So I leaned into it even more. Over the next two weeks, I made space for even more play. Board games with the kids. Laughing with my husband. Letting myself unwind and enjoy.

That experience changed me. It taught me the beauty of the Law of Rhythm—the sacred ebb and flow of life. Push hard, yes… but then let go. Rest. Play. That rhythm is what my body, mind, and spirit had been crying out for.

I had been stuck in this belief that I had to push, push, push to make everything happen. My husband has always lived by the mantra: “I work hard so I can play hard.” I knew that phrase, but I hadn’t been living it—especially as the kids came along and the responsibilities piled up.

But now? I finally get it. I’ve found a rhythm that brings me peace. I push hard when I need to—but I also play hard afterward. Life feels easier. More joyful. More balanced. And I feel so much more like myself again.