When God Tells You to Slow Down

by // Leave a Comment

When God tells you to slow down you have two options:

  1. Ignore It
  2. Listen

I learned my lesson and I am going to listen from now on and I hope you will too. Find out more below.

Are you listening when God tells you to slow down?

 

[bctt tweet=”Are you listening when God tells you to slow down? #slowdown”]

Moms work hard. Whether you stay at home, work at home, or work outside the home, you no doubt are working your tail off. It can be hard to find leisure time either with you family or to yourself but when we’re honest, it’s not finding the time that’s difficult. It is prioritizing the time. 

I am incredibly guilty of not finding that work/life balance. 

Lately, I have been pushing myself so hard that I was exhausted and burnt out. There were signs that I needed to slow down but I, being the stubborn punk that I am, totally ignored them. I kept pushing until earlier this week God body-slammed me with one of the worst 24 hour bugs I have ever experienced. 

 

Importance of Listening

When I was sick we are talking couldn’t-get-vertical, thought-I-might-die kind of sick. Just taking the oldest to the bus stop (a whole 50 feet away) felt like taking part in the Hunger Games while being stung by Tracker Jackers. 

Once I felt better I could have said, “Okay God, I rested like you wanted,” and gone right back to work like I thought I should. That wasn’t the point, though.  What He was really saying was that I needed to slow down. I need to remember why I really do all of this.

Instead of going back to work, that kids and I along with a couple of friends took the advantage of the gorgeous 60 degree weather, a rarity this time of year, and headed to the zoo. It was absolutely fabulous! 

The sun was shining and because of the time of year there weren’t many people. This meant the kids could have a little more freedom to run that usual and it meant mommy got some spectacular photos. Even if I didn’t realize it before hand, God knew that this was what my family needed.

 

Your Blessings are Multiplied

After that day, I was able to come back at my work feeling fresh and re-energized. Most importantly, so were the wee ones. They got my uninterrupted attention which they needed. They got to run and explore for hours.

Now, it is easier for me to have a few solid work hours because they have been reassured that they are still a priority. All of that came from one simple outing that didn’t cost a dime outside of the gas to get there.

 

Days Off are Important

Days off are so important for moms, all moms. You need to find a balance that is right for you and your family. Remember that there is a difference between not working and actually taking a day off.

If you have a birthday party to go to you may not be working, but if you’re chasing your kids and cleaning up the entire time, that does not count as a day off. If you are feeling exhausted, burnt-out, or overwhelmed then take the day off.

These feelings are part of how God tells you to slow down.  Learn from my mistake and listen. How are you going to slow down this week? Let me know in the comments!

 

Are you listening when God tells you to slow down?

See More From Our Day Off Below

This day was perfect and everyone felt amazing after. If you take nothing else away from this, remember that when God tells you to slow down, listen to Him. Your family, yourself, and your overall happiness will be better for it.

See where I’m linking up!

Don’t Forget to Pin It!

4 Tips to Get in the Holiday Spirit

by // Leave a Comment

The holidays are a magical time of joy and celebrations.  The season reminds of what’s important and encourages making more time for family.  Unfortunately, life doesn’t always respect that notion.  Whether you are dealing with money problems, sick children, or marriage troubles, sometimes it can be hard to get in the holiday spirit.  The stress and pain of your circumstances make it hard to put on the brave face and deck the halls.  If this is you this year, here are 4 tips to get in the holiday spirit.

 

Here are 4 tips to help you get in the holiday spirit if you're struggling to find cheer this year amidst existing life stress.

 

[bctt tweet=”Here are 4 tips to help you get in the #holiday #spirit if you’re struggling to find cheer this year amidst existing life stress.”]

 

Remember What the Season is About

First and foremost, you have been given the amazing gift of forgiveness through Christ.  That is the best gift that you could ever receive.  Sometimes when you are struggling it helps to remember this beautiful truth.  Secondly, if you have children it is important to remember that they don’t understand the issues going on in your life.  They do notice your mood and they will definitely notice if you’re having trouble not getting the tree up this year.

 

Here are 4 tips to help you get in the holiday spirit if you're struggling to find cheer this year amidst existing life stress.

Put up Your Decorations

It may be the last thing you feel like doing but it can be beneficial to force yourself to put up your decorations.  Having the décor surround you can actually help to lift your mood.  It can be especially beneficial to infuse comforting holiday scents that you enjoy.

To help make the process easier, get the kids involved.  True, your tree probably won’t have the meticulously designed look that it has when you do it but the creativity your kids will show can also help improve your spirits.  Trust me; there is something hilarious about a 7 foot tree decorated by kids less than 4 feet tall.  Your kids will also love having control over such an iconic part of your holidays.

Write It Out

Instead of sending out cards this year, write heartfelt letters to friends and family.  Don’t just give an update on your life and kids.  Focus on the recipient and write with the express intention of giving them joy during this sometimes stressful season.  Purposefully uplifting others also helps to boost your own mood.  It is an excellent way to spread joy and love whilst also benefiting you.

Another way to write it out is to use a free-form journal.  This is a great tool to help you work through pain, worry, and frustration that you may be feeling.  There are tips for how to use this journal on the tutorial but for this specific instance I recommend mutilating the page after you have written out your feelings.  Physically destroying the words you’ve written can be very cathartic and help you move on.

 

Here are 4 tips to help you get in the holiday spirit if you're struggling to find cheer this year amidst existing life stress.

Take a Personal Day

Once of the best things you can do for yourself during times of stress is to take a personal day.  Take a day off to do something that is completely unrelated to the holidays.  If you need ideas, here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • See a movie
  • Read a book you’ve been putting off
  • Get pampered at the spa
  • Get to the gym
  • Take a hike
  • Check out free classes being offered in your area

The most important thing to remember is to do it alone.  You may be tempted to ask a friend or your spouse but this will be most effective done on your own.  We are never truly ourselves until we are alone and it is important to have some alone time to recharge.

These 4 tips to get in the holiday spirit can help you turn your holiday around but also know that there is nothing wrong with you if you are struggling this year.  It is normal for the pressure of the holidays to exacerbate the issues that you are already facing.  If you are having a hard time, it is okay to take the time to mope and wallow (as long as you set a specific amount of time in which to do so).  Once you have, choose to fake it ‘til you make it, as they say.  This can be powerful and you will wake up one morning and realize you are not faking it anymore.

See where I’m linking up!

Paint and Sip Parties

by // Leave a Comment

Paint and sip parties seem to be all over recently and they come in a variety of styles and sizes.  If you haven’t tried one yet, you absolutely should.  They are a great way to socialize and have fun as well as get a few kid-free hours.  These are being used for bachelorette parties, birthdays, girls’ nights, and even work events.  There is no one-size-fits-all party and it is worth it to try out a few different ones to see which is right for you.

 

Paint and sip parties are great for tons of event types. There is no one-size-fits-all party so read this and then try a few out!

 

[bctt tweet=”Paint and sip parties are great for tons of event types. Find out more here… #paintparties”]

I have attended 2 paint and sip parties this year and each was vastly different from the other even those the basic premise remains the same.  In case you have never heard of these or you have but aren’t sure what they entail, they are exactly as they sound.  A group of people get together at a venue and paint a design on canvas at the directions of an instructor.  While painting, you enjoy adult beverages or any drink of your choice.  Although this is how each of the ones I attended was run, they were still each starkly unique.

 

Paint and sip parties are great for tons of event types. There is no one-size-fits-all party so read this and then try a few out!

The first I attended was for a friend’s birthday party.  The venue was a local art store and I knew everyone in attendance.  It was led by the store owner and you were responsible for bringing your own drinks.  We had a ton of fun together but it was a quieter and more low-key affair in comparison with the second one I attended.

 

Paint and sip parties are great for tons of event types. There is no one-size-fits-all party so read this and then try a few out!

The most recent paint and sip party was equally fun but held at a local bar and grill.  I only knew a handful of the people and none as closely as I did the ones at my friend’s party.  Even though I am generally quite shy and socially awkward, it was absolutely worth going.  If you are like me and don’t know anyone and do not have a friend to tag along don’t let that keep you from trying one of these.

 

Paint and sip parties are great for tons of event types. There is no one-size-fits-all party so read this and then try a few out!

 

Paint and sip parties are great for tons of event types. There is no one-size-fits-all party so read this and then try a few out!

 

Taking place at a bar and grill obviously made it louder overall and the attendees of the party were not the only people there.  However, in anticipation of the general chaos such a venue can create, the instructor also had assistants that came around frequently to answer questions, refill paint, or anything else needed.  They were also great about timing and breaks.  It was an equally awesome experience however, after attending these, I have some tips to help you with your paint and sip parties.

Venue Matters

If you know you get distracted by music and crowds, be sure to opt for a smaller, more intimate venue for your party.  In contrast, the larger ones can help if you feel self-conscious and want to blend into the crowd.

Think About Your Outfit

You might be tempted to dress up, especially if you’re going alone.  Don’t go overboard.  You will be leant an apron but accidents happen.  Don’t wear your favorite cashmere sweater because chances are you’ll swipe your sleeve at least once even if they are rolled up.

Beginners Can Do This

No matter what your skill level, the instructors do a great job and have catered the painting to newbies.  Don’t be intimidated by the reference painting.  You will create awesome artwork easily with these parties.

Don’t Forget a Corkscrew

If you bring your own wine don’t forget a cup and a corkscrew.  Trust me.  You may think that someone else is bound to have one but I’m here to tell you that in a group of 15 women, only one of us thought to bring a corkscrew.  Don’t risk being caught without.

 

Paint and sip parties are great for tons of event types. There is no one-size-fits-all party so read this and then try a few out!

Now that you know more about paint and sip parties, start looking in your area to find one that’s right for your style.  If you’re in the greater Cincinnati area you can check out the instructors I’ve dealt with at Adam’s Art & Supply and at RMD Arts.  If you’re still on the fence about attending one of these parties, ease in by hosting your own at home.  Invite some girlfriends over and try your hand at making this easy Marriage Wall Art.

See where I’m linking up!