Know exactly when to start a garden
3 Ways to arrange supermarket flowers. Plus this book
Ten herb garden mistakes to avoid (oops…I’ve made at least half of them)
A pretty way to display potted plants
I love routine. Lists and schedules make it easier for me to commit to the things I want to do and then actually accomplish them. But for all its benefits, consistency does not always output creativity.
Last week I attended four networking events. Two of these were work-related, but the other two were sponsored by local organizations that I’ve been interested in connecting with for awhile.
Since networking can be hard, uncomfortable, and small-talky, I had been successfully finding reasons to stay home and watch episodes of Mad Men instead.
This month, instead of letting their monthly events pass by, I decided to take a risk and attend.
Amidst all of the conversations I had this past week, the most valuable creative asset I gained was an increased amount of questions.
Breaking out of my routine always causes me to see things differently. I love learning from new people with new ways of thinking, which naturally leads me to ask questions about my own habits and thought patterns. Oftentimes, creativity comes simply by seeing something in a way we’ve never seen it before. These questions – and the willingness to be confronted with differences – are the seeds of creativity.
Even though it can be hard, so hard, to risk being uncomfortable and shake up my daily rhythms – it is often just what I need.
The newness and freshness of spring bring me out of a winter stupor and enliven me to get moving again. I start spring with a list of things in my head to do and accomplish–an assortment of cleaning, crafting, and cooking among other goals for the coming months. I love the energy of spring, and the way it draws me out of the hibernation of winter. I feel refreshed and rejuvenated to tackle the cluttered closets, clean out the attic, knit that new pattern, get more organized. Spring is also a time I find myself reassessing the patterns and rhythms in my life and the life of my family. It is a time when I feel that I can take stock of areas of shortcomings and changes I want to make and have the energy to do so! Funny how spring has that affect on me…I don’t find that I succumb to the same sense of overwhelm and exhaustion that I do at other points in the year when considering lists of tasks to do and changes to make. Here are a few things I am up to this spring:
- Since having my first child 3 years ago, I have wanted to ensure that much of her {and all my children’s} time was spent outdoors–exploring, playing, learning…yet I always had the hardest time actually getting us outside. It has weighed heavy on me for a while now, but this spring has found us outdoors more and more enjoying the small little space we call our yard and a sweet little sandbox built by grandpa and daddy. While having a first floor entrance certainly helps things (I lived in second story city apartment previously), I have been amazed at how spring has really given me that extra push to establish this habit in our family!
- I have always wanted a garden…but there have been a couple of problems: 1.) I never had a yard or space for a garden 2.) I am a
terribletotal beginner gardener who gets completely overwhelmed! But, for Mother’s day I went to a nursery, got assistance every step of the way, and brought home some lovelies to brighten up our patio and some herbs to spice up our dishes. So far so good…. - Continued efforts towards my family’s path towards healthier eating, particularly by finding a local pastured egg source and grinding my own flour.
- Cleaning out and organizing our closets and attic! Our town home feels deceptively settled as many unpacked boxes remain tucked away in our attic {literally looming over us}, we have lots to still go through and clean out….this is a big project to tackle, but while I wouldn’t even go up there the past few months, I find myself growing bolder and bolder and have even ventured up there a few times in the past weeks.
{yes, my little guy is in a cast, which he gets off next week! Fortunately he just sustained a small fracture that is in a spot that heals very easily and naturally}
Does spring have that same energizing effect on you? Do things that overwhelmed you at one point seem more doable in the light of the bright sunshine and fresh breezes of spring? What are you up to this season?
Happy (belated) Mothers Day!
Yesterday, Amanda gave an incredible talk about making the most of time with your family and embracing the community surrounding your kids.
Likewise, Meg’s pastor shared some great encouragement about walking through motherhood (or any endeavor) reliant on grace.
No matter your stage of life or family situation, both of these have some encouragement to offer. Let us know what you think.
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