Archives

No Motivation Required

I find that I’m most motivated to write when I’m writing. Come to think of it, I’m also most motivated to run when I’m running.

When I’m sitting in my office, I might call myself a very reluctant lap swimmer. But then I march myself over to the pool on my lunch break and strap . . . → Read More: No Motivation Required

Moving Forward

Back in January, I wrote a post in which I gave myself permission to let things be. “Percolating,” I called it. Well, it took a lot longer than I thought. Letting decisions come to me in an organic, easygoing manner is not my forte. I have too much pent-up energy for that. Trying to “let . . . → Read More: Moving Forward

Facing Fears

Once upon a time, I lived alone. I was a bold young thing who ate cereal for dinner and chose the paint colors I wanted. I was accustomed to sleeping by myself, though I daydreamed about a time when a single bed would no longer suffice. In the comfort of my own apartment, I felt . . . → Read More: Facing Fears

Asking a Lot

Do you ever feel like you’re being pulled in too many directions?

Last night, I sat in the bathroom clipping my hot pink toenails while supervising bath time. Linus—just a week shy of his first birthday—patted the glistening bubbles while chewing lovingly on a spongy orange letter “P.” Three-year-old Linnea was busy mothering Mermaid Dora . . . → Read More: Asking a Lot

An Unexpected Hour

Today was a PTO day for me, and I love being out and about on a weekday with the kids. The three of us had a jam-packed day that included the donut shop, the mall play area, the library, and the park (I spent less than three bucks total). There was a lot of laughing, . . . → Read More: An Unexpected Hour

The Rallying Cry

Did you know that good is usually good enough? Not everything requires an A+ effort. This was news to me during my first year of motherhood. When I learned this invaluable mantra, however, it brought much peace and simplicity to my life. Good is good enough. I love it, and yet some of the peak . . . → Read More: The Rallying Cry

My Soul Needs a Salad

I’ve been feeling a little unsettled these days. Two months ago, I shared my intention for the winter season: to let things percolate. I’m usually so eager to dive into the next thing, to set the next goal, but this time, the goal was not to have a goal. Honestly, I’m starting to lose my . . . → Read More: My Soul Needs a Salad

Living Room Time Travel

As I was reading bedtime books to Linnea tonight—a favorite part of her rather elaborate nightly routine—I was struck right between the eyes by the clock of life. On the inside covers of A Gift-Bear for the King were illegible letters of the alphabet, squiggly hearts, and stick figures that lack bodies. Linnea saw the . . . → Read More: Living Room Time Travel

Percolating

This week, I attended a quarterly “refresh” session for a mom’s group that I’ve been part of for more than two years. During the course of the evening, we did some journal exercises meant to help us set an intention for the rest of the winter. I found myself in a foreign position—I didn’t know . . . → Read More: Percolating

Rough Patch

My lengthy holiday vacation did not go according to plan. There really wasn’t much of a plan in the first place—simply to enjoy time with my family, to watch lots of movies, and intentionally NOT to set any lofty goals for myself (which of course I’m prone to overdoing). Still, it’s safe to say that . . . → Read More: Rough Patch