No.95: Seven Changes // An Introduction

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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

For the past few weeks, I’ve been lamenting to Mark that I just don’t have enough time in the day for one.more.thing. Between the house and homeschooling and kids and meals and.and.and… when do I have time to work out? to pray? to do something for myself? The more I think about this, though, it’s not really an issue of time, but of priorities, procrastination and perfectionism.

Other articles and books:

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

I blame unpopped kernels for this one. You know how you always find a handful of kernels at the bottom of the popcorn bowl? Curious, I picked them out and threw them back into the popper….and they popped! We had at least half a cup of extra popcorn that I normally would have tossed without a second glance. It gave me a lot of pause…what else am I carelessly throwing away without a second thought?

Other articles and books:

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

With many school-aged children in my home, topped with the responsibility of educating them, this topic is naturally on my mind a lot. I’m fascinated with learning as a whole, not necessarily just as it applies to homeschooling. How do we learn? How can I help my children remember what they learn? How do I guide them as they grow closer and closer to the teenage years and adulthood?

Other articles and books:

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

I am not what you’d call an “outdoorsy” person. But I want to be. Moving to our new home in the country was the first step and with spring just around the corner, I’m pumping myself up to get outside with the kids. We all need that time out there.

Other articles and books:

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

I was recently having a conversation with someone when, as I talked, I watched their eyes flick to their phone (on the table in front of them, naturally) and start scrolling. It was awkward and embarrassing for me. In that instant, I thought about the times I have done the same thing, especially with my husband or my children. I don’t want to be that way.

Other articles and books:

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

Ahh, parenting. It’s an area of my life where, just when I think I’m getting the hang of this gig, there’s a life twist and I realize – yet again – that I have no idea what I’m doing.

Other articles and books:

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

Linking up with Kelly’s Quick Takes!
P.S. There are still spots open for my Springtime Postcard Project. Find all the details here.

Comments

Shelly Cunningham says

March 16, 2018 at 8:39 pm

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.
- Ashley says
  
  March 16, 2018 at 9:20 pm
  
  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!
bobbi says

March 19, 2018 at 4:20 am

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. 🙂
Samantha Chaffin says

May 16, 2019 at 7:26 pm

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.
- Ashley says
  
  May 17, 2019 at 11:35 am
  
  Thank YOU for such a thought-provoking article!