Hustle and stress have become the norm, but they’re not what I want to invest my time or energy in. Over the years, I’ve built a list of intentional ways to slow down—here are some of my favorites. “Normal” in our society is stress, hurry, overwhelm, an empty bank account, mountains of debt, and anxiety.…
The Blue Dot Effect study shows how our brains tend to find something “wrong” or “scary” in situations—even if the actual danger has disappeared. The Blue Dot Effect study — here’s how it works: In the study, participants were shown a series of colored dots and were asked to identify which ones were blue. At…
I think of a sound board when I look at snapshots of my life. There are times when I have space for growth and forward momentum, then others when that becomes a background track. I met my husband serving in college ministry at church. We chatted over the soundboard before and after meetings. Those interactions…
Productivity tips to build resilience for your unique life. How do you deal with fatigue during your busy days at home? When are you most productive? Homemaking, being a stay at home parent, writing, homeschooling, working remote, or online contract work can easily become overwhelming. Any job working from home can have unique challenges especially…
I have so much to do! Yes. True. But, if I do not get dirt under my nails from gardening, or make a mess with candle making, then what kind of life is that? Choosing to spend time on a hobby and chase the fun is worth it. In this previous post I wrote about…
Starting something new can be complicated and layered. Often we need a foundation to hold us steady as we step forward into new terrain. I’m still on my way, still learning, and it feels like an ongoing adventure of discovery. The exciting part? I’m guessing there will always be something new for me to learn.…
I have found that I am resistant to change unless I have pain in my life or data to show me that I need to make a radical adjustment. That is why I love using a Time Inventory. When I am feeling some friction in my schedule, or in my expectations of myself, or my…
I was introduced to the idea of a Commonplace notebook when I read The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. I had 2 kids under the age of 4 and I was reviving my learning after being consumed with caring for little ones. I have always been fascinated by journaling and writing out what I…
I was a very capable adult. I had three kids already. I had taught myself gardening, canning, knitting, and how to cook from scratch. How hard would it be to take piano lessons? I was already homeschooling my oldest two. I would often get impatient when they were learning how to read or add simple…
This fall I am taking a break from writing and publishing. I am choosing to slow down. I will take more time to snuggle my kids close and enjoy handicrafts. I have an ambitious stack of books to read (with some new teas to try). I want to listen to more podcasts and audiobooks. I…
Photos are either taken by Mary Edwards or April Edwards.
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