I love it when writers and podcasters share what’s “saving their lives”. It can be big or small things, silly or deep. There are no right or wrong answers. In no particular order, I will share with you ten things that have been saving my life for the past few months.
My Morning Routine
2021 has been a butt-kicker for me in many ways. We have had some serious stressors come our way with financial losses, school decisions, family with COVID, a loss of a friend, etc. Almost every two weeks we seem to hit something really challenging. Even down to my littlest being red and swollen with poison ivy and needing steroids. But goodness, my morning routine grounds me. Yorkshire tea, steel-cut oatmeal, heated throw, Bible, journal, books, planner. I have thought often about Psalm 1 this past year. I want to be a woman whose delight is in the Lord, who meditates on Him day and night. The result? To be like a tree planted by streams of water, yielding its fruit in season, whose leaf does not wither. I want deep roots to weather storms and yield fruit to bless those around me. My morning routine nurtures that.
My J.Crew Navy Striped Pajamas
I wear these constantly, wash, and grab them again. I wore them every night in California. I felt like they were too long on my short legs after first, but after washing and cuffing the bottom, they are perfect. I didn’t realize how much I liked them until I noticed that I grab them every time they are clean and wear them multiple times before washing.
Pilates
I shared a few weeks ago that I joined The Balanced Life Sisterhood, and it’s definitely the best decision of 2021. I do 15 minutes a day, and it’s so doable and accessible. I didn’t even know how to engage my core, friends. In just a month I have gotten so much stronger! There were movements I was unable to do at all that first week that I can do now. I never feel overwhelmed, inadequate, or frustrated. I love the strength I am building, and the consistency most of all. I ended up getting this thick mat instead of a standard yoga mat and it makes all the difference.
Green Smoothies
I started with this particular recipe years ago and don’t waver. Into my Ninja blender I add:
1 banana, fresh or frozen
1 handful of Costco frozen tropical fruit
2-3 handfuls of baby spinach or kale or both
1/2 cup low acid Tropicana orange juice
1/2 cup Kirkland unsweetened vanilla almond milk
My whole family loves these and I always have to share. If I do my morning routine, some Pilates, and drink a green smoothie, I feel like my most nourished Springtime self! I just heard on Kendra’s podcast that she has started to add about 1 tsp. of fresh ginger. I think I’ll try that tomorrow.
Abide in Christ
This devotional has been freeing, beautiful, life-giving. My friend Kitty mailed a vintage copy to me last month, and I ended up buying a bunch of them and mailing them to the women in my monthly MomHeart group. There are 31 entries to read, and each is only a couple of pages. The words are dense and powerful. Timeless truth. I am savoring every word, and when I finish this week, I think I will start reading the whole thing over again.
Under Eye Hydrogels
I got these free from Grove Collaborative on some order of mine a while back. Well, I fell in love with them. I am a low-maintenance person that doesn’t spend much on beauty, skin, and wellness products. However, these little $5 gems make me happy! I put in a Grove order once a month, and when I do, I add these in. They are a monthly treat that I savor and look forward to.
Fresh Flowers
I have been keeping fresh flowers in my dining room and den for the past 6 weeks. The beauty nourishes my mind and soul. It’s the season of tulips! I bought some fresh red ones from Publix this afternoon. They look gorgeous in a blue and white vase. About a month ago I asked my sister to get a shamrock plant for me from Trader Joe’s, and it has lovely little white blooms on it. It sits in the center of my table on a silver platter with a sheep and candles. That fresh life adds so much to my space.
My Heated Throw from Costco
We are still having chilly mornings and there is nothing like sitting under that warmth. I told a friend the other day that a heated blanket is like a visual representation of the Holy Spirit with comfort and presence! Ha! I got a cream-colored one for about $30 in the fall, and both my little boys asked for their own for Christmas. It’s just so good. My joints thank me.
My Presto Electric Skillet
I purchased one for less than $40 last year because I wasn’t sure what kind of skillet that I wanted to buy. It’s been PERFECT for serving a large crowd. I brown lots of ground beef for tacos in it. I saute lots of chicken in it. I make stir fry in it. A pile of grilled cheese sandwiches or lots of french toast. It’s so nice that I can use it on the countertop or take it camping. Yes, I bring appliances when I camp. I don’t think I will ever not own one of these. The large surface area allows me to cook so much at once and that makes life easier. No more batches!
My Lent Social Media Sabbatical
I just feel better. My soul and mind have more space. I don’t have that low hum of anxiety that I do when I have spent a while scrolling. There’s calm contentment with knowing less, seeing less, processing less. I had curated my Instagram feed to be a lovely place for visual inspiration, but even so, I felt like I always wanted to buy more things. Social media seems to be trying to push me forward, to get me to make decisions, to act on something. I have enough things to do in my daily life without countless strangers asking me to do more. The challenge is that Facebook is used to make big family announcements and to post the Big Things that happen in life. I find the need to have a presence there because I care about people. All of us know that it is not a black and white decision when it comes to social media, and we try to do the best we can while also living our lives in healthy, productive, local ways.
How about you? What is one thing saving your life right now?
Let’s discuss if you want to:
Aimee
Ordered the Abide in Christ devotional. I’d never heard of it, and it sounds exactly like what I need. I think it might be perfect for the Easter season!