I love it when bloggers do fun posts like Modern Mrs. Darcy sharing what is saving her life. The comments are always worth perusing too. I think we all enjoy taking a peek into each other’s lives to see the small things, the everyday ways that women live and the choices they make. On that note, here are mine!
Chicken and Mushroom Ramen I make a version of the recipe I linked to. I dice the mushrooms small and sauté them in garlic and ginger (from a tube that you can buy in the refrigerated section of produce). I pour in Ramen broth that I buy from Target that comes in a box. When the noodles boil, I also add in a bit of shredded rotisserie chicken and some shredded carrots. When you remove from heat, add that spinach and canned coconut milk. Toppings: some sliced green onion, dried cilantro (bought in a tiny tub in produce section), and sriracha. The combo of a few drops sriracha with the coconut milk is what makes this recipe spectacular. Perfect lunch on cold weather days.
A Coke Classic a day. There is always hate on soft drinks everywhere. I have gone in and out of seasons of drinking them. I am currently in a season where that can of Coke each afternoon brings me absolute joy and I will embrace that delight without judgment.
My Prayer Journal. I love a good tool. And I have never found one for prayer until now. I love how this one is organized, but more than that, the key is that you write down new requests at the beginning of each month. This dovetails nicely with monthly PowerSheet prep. It keeps me focused for a month, but also excited for writing new things to pray for…a good boundary that keeps me engaged. I text a handful of people each month to ask for their requests, and it keeps me connected to their needs and specific in my prayers.
My Stanley water cup. These are popular and I am enjoying mine. It doesn’t keep my water as cold as my Yeti does, but the straw and handle win it for me. Especially the handle. I am back to drinking lots of water again after neglecting that this past fall.
Scheduling Self-Care. If I don’t write it down on the calendar, it just won’t happen. I can hope that I can get some extended time with the Lord, a retreat, or time to write or create, but hoping doesn’t translate to the boundaries that make it happen. If I schedule these activities in my planner, the odds of it happening increase exponentially. It’s important to write our priorities down if we want to see it happen.
My new pillow. My friend Kitty told me about these pillows, and my husband saw it in my Amazon wishlist and got it for me for Christmas. I didn’t actually think I needed a new pillow, but was willing to try it. I have really really loved this pillow this month and being able to adjust the loft has made it perfect.
Books. I have read 11 books this month and am halfway in two more. I always read a lot in January, and more than anything, it helps me decompress, rest, and renew. I love having some margin in my January life to read big piles because as we get closer to Spring, I usually have less time and do more projects.
Grocery Delivery. I have used Walmart pick-up for years, but for the past two big grocery runs, I have used delivery. There are certain seasons where it really feels like services like that are saving your time, energy, and sanity. This is one of those seasons for me. Knowing they are just going to show up is solid self-care for me right now.
Thrifting. I always find great things January through March as people clean out their homes after the holidays and want simplified spaces. The thrill of the hunt gives me deep joy and ignites creative possibility in my home. I have particularly been drawn to anything I can use in seasonal tablescapes. Setting a lovely table feels like lighting a candle in darkness, defiant joy in the midst of the creep of despair. Feasting in beauty pushes back against cynicism and defeat and claims that the True is with us and will win.
Reflection. Last fall was like a freight train of activity and celebration and obligation. It left little space for interior work or understanding what was even happening half the time. I am reminded that reflection is extremely important for my personality, for wise discernment in decision making, and for recognizing when I am functioning in unhealthy ways. I have made time for reflection this month and the clarity that has come from that is invaluable.
How about you? What are a few things that are saving your life these days? I would love to hear.
So happy you are back! I have missed your posts and would love to hear what you have been reading these days. Currently saving my life: getting off the news, prioritizing time with the Lord, journaling, going out to dinner with my husband (first time since pre-Covid! We waited way too long), and all the sun we are getting in California right now. It's full-on spring and I love it.
I loved reading your list, Aimee, and I love that you're back sharing. Some of the things that are life-giving to me right now are listening and singing along to good praise music (such a difference-maker for my thoughts and attitude), walking on my new-to-me treadmill, reading good books, talking to the Lord throughout the day and sometimes night (What do people do without Him?), citrus fruit, Thai Mango Chile bagged salad from Walmart (and other bagged salads), homemade soups, fresh-from-friends'-chicken's fried eggs on whole wheat toast spread with avocado, puzzles and games with various family members, hot tea, walks with my daughter and our dog on sunny days, texting throughout the day with one of my sisters, strangely enough - finding out my blood pressure is elevated because it's causing me to make healthier choices, Walmart pickup, miscellaneous cozy fireplace videos on YouTube, slowly and peacefully decluttering and tidying little nooks and crannies in our home, "Country Life" YouTube videos (beautiful, almost wordless videos from Azerbaijan), getting back to intermittent fasting, and reflection and various forms of journaling. That's more than a few, but I couldn't seem to stop listing them! I love paying attention to my life and watching for such.