I’m at the end of the day. I am pooped. And when one of my kids asked me tonight about supper, mentioning in passing that they haven’t eaten since yesterday, I can’t deny that I did feel a little stress. This got me wondering if this newsletter is appropriate to send out. But, we’re appropriate-ish, so I think it’s ok.

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Stress is defined as a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation. Everyone experiences stress to some degree. 

I don’t think there is another time of year that stress is in the air more than the Pesach season. Pesach can trigger lots of stresses - both big and small.  Life can be challenging already and then with the added complexities of making Pesach, it can be a difficult time for many! And so I do not intend to invalidate anyone’s stress.

But, to be frank, one big stress for many of us is that we’re not stressed enough🙊.

Before I went to the supermarket yesterday, I made sure to splash some potato starch on my skirt because it would be too embarrassing to leave my house in clean clothing - I mean which real Balabuste has a clean skirt today? I have shidduchim to make, a reputation to uphold. I added some ketchup stains to the shirt to look even more worn down. 

I even thought twice before putting on makeup. I mean, if I have time for makeup, I must have nothing else to do. And the last thing I want is to look well rested. No way! Never never, nu uh uh. 

Somewhere along the line, the undercurrent theme for Pesach became “being stressed is best!” 

There are so many memes and advertisements that feed into this idea that this is meant to be a stressful time. 

But, really really, this is unhealthy. Unproductive.  And this is ironic to the point of funny. 

Pesach is about Cheirus, freedom. Freedom from Egyptian slavery. From personal slavery.  From personal pressures. From social pressures.  Freedom from our own limitations. 

Freedom to allow ourselves to become the stronger and more fulfilled versions of ourselves. 

This unwritten social pressure to be overworked in these coming days seems backwards. Represented by our backwards shaitels and no strength to move. To be more worn down. Just seems counterproductive.

We can break free from these mindsets!

On Pesach, there is a theme that we are Kings. We are regal. We are winners. We are lucky. We are celebrating freedom. 

Let’s celebrate freedom together. In a Socially Appropriate-ish type of way. Let’s reset our own standards. Let’s choose to not feed into the way- too- stressed- out social norms. Into the competitive cooking and baking, or shopping and traveling, in ways that are unnecessarily complicated.

Let’s Make Being Chilled Cool Again 😎! MBCCA 😝

We can re-shift our focus to “less stress is best”. Let’s keep ourselves calm, well rested, well hydrated, well fed, and focus on keeping ourselves put together, centered, healthy, and connected. 

In that spirit, I believe we will be modeling for our spouses, children, and friends what Pesach should really be all about 🙌. 

Have a Beautiful YT! 

💕, Shifi