Today I’m one year older, and I have to say it’s a very strange time to be celebrating. If you had asked me in March if I was going to have a Quarantine Birthday I wouldn’t have believed you! Luckily things in California are starting to open back up a bit, but it still doesn’t feel quite the same yet. While I won’t be getting together with family and friends, I will be having a laid back day at home with Matthew and the kiddos. Matthew is working a half day and then I think we’re going to go to the beach for a bit and maybe bring a little picnic dinner or something. Otherwise, we might be ordering in sushi! Either way, I’m excited to do something small and special with them. For as crazy as 2020 has been so far {side note: has anyone seen the meme about how each month is like a Level of Jumanji??}, there is a lot that I am so happy about. I feel like I’ve learned a lot this past year and it’s been nice to reflect on some of these changes. Sharing a little bit about that below!
One Year Older
When I think back on this past year, I’m proud of these four areas that I’ve really committed to. I’ve made them all priorities in my life and I really have noticed the tremendous impact and difference that they’ve made. Getting older can be a little bittersweet, but I’m really approaching this new year with a lot of hope and excitement, thanks to these things. I hope to continue focusing on these areas of my life and also add new ones.
FITNESS
After I was cleared to start working out by my midwife, I started running on the elliptical in our garage. Personally, I felt like getting rid of the baby weight the second time around was a lot harder and I really wanted to do something about it. I started running on the elliptical and, as encouragement, I watched a TV show. As much as I love TV, I feel guilty watching it because there’s usually always something I could be doing for work at nighttime, or just getting some extra zzzs. By watching a show while I was on the elliptical, I was killing two birds with one stone. Multitasking just how I like it! I started watching shows and then eventually that translated into listening to podcasts. I feel like I’ve been able to carve out time for myself to break a sweat and get my endorphins running, while also educating myself on a topic. If anyone asks me the best thing I’ve ever bought, I’ll probably say our elliptical! We got it refurbished so it wasn’t as expensive, but oh my gosh it’s been such a worthwhile investment.
When people ask me how to fit in workout, my best advice is to clearly define what it is you want to work on and make it a priority by adding to your calendar, setting alarms, and figuring out easy ways to work it into your schedule. It’s not always easy but if it’s worth it to you, you’ll make it happen. I never thought I’d be someone that works out at 8pm but if it’s the only time I have, I’ll do it!
Here is my best tip for making workouts an easy part of your routine:
Aim for a workout every day! Sounds extreme but of course, there will be some days where it doesn’t fit in. I’ve found though that when I try for daily, I usually end up working out 5 days a week. It also becomes a more integrated part of my routine, so I know to expect it. The easiest time for me to fit in a workout is during naptime, or once Corinna is asleep and become Augustine’s bedtime. It does take a few weeks for working out to become a routine, but then you just count on it. To be honest, even on my rest days I miss working out. I never thought I would say that, but it’s true! I feel like my body and my mind both crave it. The benefits of working out have far exceeded physical differences for me. It’s become so much more about how it makes me feel and how I can approach the rest of my day.
FAITH
One of the things I’ve been doing each day has been reading a daily devotional, following that up with reading the mentioned passages in the Bible. It’s become the first thing I do every day, and it sets me off on such a great start. Instead of looking to social media first thing, I look to His word and truth. During our lockdown I felt more than ever a tug at my heart to talk to God and share my worries. One thing I’ve learned is that we are all searching for God, it’s really woven into each of us. God doesn’t hide himself from us; he wants to be known. More often than not, we hide, or we search for answers in earthly ways. If you seek Him out, he will find you. Oftentimes when, and in ways, you wouldn’t expect.
EDUCATION
I’ve always loved reading and learning and this past year it’s become a huge part of my life and interests. I’m proud to be someone that seeks truth and asks questions. I don’t like to accept things at the surface. With social media and the news these days I feel like we are inundated with so much information, and a lot of it is aimed at getting clicks and page views. I can’t say I’m not guilty of that too, because you could say I do the same with how I title my blog posts. Some of these news topics though are so much bolder and it’s not something I want to just read and believe without all the information. What is the angle? What message are they trying to spread? What is their motive/agenda? Let’s analyze the research and look at the facts. What do other people think and say? It can be so easy to just read one article and think you know everything. I’ve been challenging myself to read more critically and also question my beliefs and understandings. To be honest, I’ve never been someone that’s been that into politics, but this year I’ve really started to read more and understand what these bigger issues are. I feel so much more confident in my views which is really an awesome feeling to have. With the upcoming election, I think it’s more important than ever to actually research these issues and then vote. Voting means so much more when you have the belief and understanding behind it.
RE-PRIORITIZING
I’ve been making little shifts lately to adapt to this busier season of motherhood. For the past few years, I’ve felt so guilty that I haven’t been able to do it all. I have my motherhood role that is my greatest responsibility, but then I also have this site that’s also incredibly important to me. It’s been challenging to juggle both but it’s something that I’ve been trying to do as best I can. In an effort to not get overwhelmed though I’ve had to acknowledge what I can and more importantly what I can’t do. I’ve been slowly trying to accept my limitations and reframe my perspective. Being kinder and offering myself grace has helped tremendously. I feel like it can be all too easy to put these huge expectations on ourselves but then when we can’t meet them, we feel like failures. Some ways I’ve been working on this has been to set my goals for each day, being incredibly realistic about what can be accomplished. When I can’t get to something, I try to be easy on myself and rethink how I can work it in more easily the next day. By prioritizing the things that I have to do, I can also give myself slack on some other things that get neglected. I don’t feel too bad about a big pile of clothes sitting unfolded on the couch because maybe I was able to meal plan for the week instead and that was more important. The clothes can sit there for a little longer. Also stepping back and realizing that this is just a short season of life helps a lot too. My days are busy holding Corinna’s hand while she walks all over the place, but one day she’ll be running without me. I know I’ll miss these days of being needed so much, and the house being loud and messy. I might even miss that pile of unfolded clothes too!
I feel like my birthday is a bit of a New Years Day, though – a chance for a fresh start, to take what I’ve learned over the past year and build upon it. Birthdays make me aware of my mortality while giving me a greater appreciation for my life, along with a renewed energy to approach this new year head first – with love, kindness, confidence, and grace.
It seems like we are all in a place of new beginnings right now. I’m hopeful that we can all take lessons away from the past few months and apply them to our lives going forward. I’m so grateful for each of you. Thank you for being a part of my journey. It truly means a lot!!
SHOP THE POST
jumpsuit {a pricier piece but on sale!} . sandals . bag . hat
This jumpsuit is amazing quality and is so flattering! I swear it has some magic stitching on the back too! This designer, Tanya Taylor, is new to me (actually introduced by my Trunk Club stylist), and I love how she wants to encourage a passion for color, print and pattern. All of her prints are hand-painted in her New York design studio and I definitely feel like it makes the pieces feel so special. Her clothing is a little splurge but they feel like they’ll stand the test of time and be pieces that you’ll be so happy to put on!
SHOP UNDER $100 JUMP SUITS
Hope you all have a wonderful Monday!!
xox
photos by Priscilla Frey
