Since school began, I can’t seem to find a rhythm for the Morning Pages that I enjoyed doing all summer. Three pages of freehand writing about random things, usually first thing in the morning. I loved it, it was cathartic, but also takes 30-45 minutes which doesn’t work on busy school routine mornings unless I get up at 5am, and that’s a big nope. I saw another writer choosing to do a “30 Page Notebook Challenge” starting today, and it peaked my interest. Typing a short (or long!) daily letter might give me the joy that my Morning Pages did. I have learned over the years that “challenges” jump start me creatively whether cleaning challenges, writing, Scripture reading, etc. I don’t always complete the challenges, but they get me going again, and that’s the point: not completion but progress.
I’m happy it’s Monday. I have been enjoying a quiet morning of cleaning my kitchen, moving the laundry forward, dusting, cleaning dirty glass doors, my backsplash, oven front and dishwasher front. The end of my week is going to be full + busy working for a local charcuterie business, so I want to use today and tomorrow to make sure the house is clean, menus are executed, bills paid, calendar updated. I also need to get over to the chiropractor today and return some library books. I enjoy these methodical acts of home/life management.
I am about to bake some pumpkin bread, an old recipe of my friend Laura’s grandma that I believe was originally from Southern Living. I have no qualms about jumping into fully to the Autumn season. It’s such a short and lovely season. I feel like early Christmas advertising seems to overshadow it every year, so I start enjoying it all in early September now. Acoustic folk music streams through my kitchen Bluetooth speaker, and I check daily for any hint of leaf-change in the soaring trees across the pond. Life has brought some deep sadness this year with my mom’s husband passing away, my son’s car accident, and my sister’s cancer journey. My extended family and friends have also dealt with their own losses and personal challenges, and walking with others in that means we have collective sadness over many situations. Lighting fall candles, baking beautiful treats, and softening our spaces helps heal the weary hearts. Small acts of love comfort and console.
I hope I don’t bore you to death with my daily musings. I enjoy reading people’s real-life pondering and the way their daily lives play out. Early blogs were simple places of, “oh, you too?” and inspiration. Now we are influenced so dang much that it can feel artificial and scripted. Here’s a slice of a basic middle-aged woman raising normal kids, cooking and eating family-focused menus, and keeping a very beloved and used home. I seek a lifestyle of prayer + service while adding beauty + grace.
I seriously appreciate your writing thoughts about intentionality in every day life, and everything else you write about. It's so the opposite of boring to me! And Monday has always been my favorite day of the week, aside from the few years right out of college when I had a desk job I hated =)
Thank you for sharing your journey of finding the rhythm of your day. I can appreciate the longing for routines, as I know my day goes better when planned out, as opposed to letting the day run me.
I have been struggling with finding a natural rhythm that accommodates everyone's schedule, as it changes daily, or so it seems.
You've inspired me to make some banana bread and brownies today, before everyone gets home. Blessings to you and your family.