The Slowdown: Poetry & Reflection Daily [encore] 1460: Poem to Remind Myself of the Natural Order of Things by Donika Kelly
Mar 26, 2026
A reflective stroll through priorities, parenting, and the messy business of planning life. Short scenes consider flexibility, what truly feels like home, and trusting changing desires. A careful introduction to a poem that uses a displaced baby hippo to evoke belonging and longing.
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Facing Life Without A Five Year Plan
- Maggie Smith shares her uncertainty about having a five-year plan while anticipating major changes as her children age.
- She imagines practical hopes—supporting her daughter through college and son through high school—while admitting she has no fixed roadmap.
Prioritize How Your Days Feel
- Maggie urges focusing on how life feels inside rather than external markers like prestige or résumé items.
- She tells her daughter to ask what her days should feel like and reassures her that wants will change over time.
Flexibility As A Life Strategy
- Maggie observes that flexibility beats rigid planning during life transitions like parenting older children.
- She frames openness as a virtue, giving herself five years to explore priorities, passions, and possible new adventures.