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Every so often, I get this nagging feeling in my gut that a change is needed: a change in behavior, a change in opinion, a change in action. I like to think of it as the Holy Spirit tapping me on the shoulder saying, “Hey, you may want to think about this a little deeper.” At different points in my life, I push the nagging to the side (I’m looking at you, first year postpartum tunnel!) but the most important ones seem to always return.
So this is a look into my brain right now. I’ll warn you ahead of time – it’s messy in there, hah! I’m still very much in “input” mode, reading various sources of information and learning all I can. Looking down the list, these things feel incredibly overwhelming, but my motto should come in handy here: an intentional life happens little by little. Baby steps is better than no forward progress at all, right?
1 // TIME
- Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done – I just checked this book out at the library. While it probably only peripherally relates to this topic, I think getting my perfectionism in check will be helpful.
- six 10 minute habits to a better you
2 // WASTE
- An Everlasting Meal – I’m only about a third of the way through this book, but after each chapter, I have this intense desire to get into the kitchen and make something from nothing. The way she describes using every part of the vegetable, the way you can transform one thing into another, the way nothing is wasted…so inspiring.
- How Much Food Do We Waste? Probably More Than You Think
- How to Start Composting: For Beginners
3 // SLOW FASHION
I follow a girl on Instagram named Elise who decided that for 2018, she would not purchase any new clothing. Instead, she decided to make her own. Watching her process as she knit a sweater – the time and precision needed – had me wondering how clothing could ever be sold so inexpensively!
Other articles and books:
- Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion – on my to-read list
- Why I Chose Slow Fashion
- 40 Day Fashion Fast | Introducing a Lenten Challenge
4 // EDUCATION
- A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel at Math and Science – on my to-read list
- Know and Tell: The Art of Narration – another one on the to-read list
- Why we forget most of the books we read
- After decade of pushing bachelor’s degrees, US needs more tradespeople
5 // NATURE & BEING OUTDOORS
- Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder – on my to-read list
- How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature – another one with great reviews
- Why 1000 hours outside?
6 // LESS SCREENS
- The Winter of Our Disconnect: How Three Totally Wired Teenagers (and a Mother Who Slept with Her iPhone) Pulled the Plug on Their Technology and Lived to Tell the Tale – we read this in our book club a few years ago and it was really eye-opening for me
- Hands Free Mama: A Guide to Putting Down the Phone, Burning the To-Do List, and Letting Go of Perfection to Grasp What Really Matters – on my to-read list…it’s been recommended a lot!
- Can you raise a teen without a smartphone?
- Steve Jobs Was a Low-Tech Parent
7 // PARENTING
- The 5 Love Languages (and the one for kids too) – I read the original book years ago but I think I’m due for a re-read, especially when it comes to figuring out my children
- Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too – on my to-read list
- The importance of printing photographs – childhood, identity and a history made in pictures
P.S. There are still spots open for my Springtime Postcard Project. Find all the details here.
The Winter of Our Disconnect was SUCH a good book for me. I find myself going back to it throughout different seasons. For me, it always comes back to leaving my phone on the counter as if it were a phone of the past, and not a cell phone that fits in my pocket.
Love the idea of refreshing yourself for spring, and of prioritizing your time, not simply lamenting that there's not enough time. Super smart.
The 5 Love Languages is on my list this year too! We will have to compare notes when we're done! Actually, I want to read all the books on your "Parenting" list, as sibling issues are huge right now, and I still haven't figured out a good "print the pictures" system for us.
I think about The Winter of our Disconnect often too! Since reading it, I've had a much healthier relationship with my phone.
And yes, let's definitely compare parenting notes too!
I could relate to a number of these, especially the time and less screens. I've been wanting to read the love language books for your kids as well. I'll add it to to my reading list. 🙂
Hi Ashley! I know it's been a while since you wrote this post, but I just wanted to say a quick thank-you for linking to my blog post on slow fashion. I love these intentions that you set for yourself, and it's really inspired me to set my own for 2019. Better late than never, right? 🙂 Thanks again.
Thank YOU for such a thought-provoking article!