a few weeks ago, autumn (officially) made its subtle arrival.
the leaves have slowly started to change from lush greens to golden yellows & rusty reds, creating firey patterns alongside the highways and lonesome country roads. the air, nostalgic of rainy afternoons and musty leather, has just a hint of chill. i'm often drawn to reach for my favorite, oversized sweater that i've had for years and refuse to retire, just yet. the crockpot cooks most dinners these days, filling the room with savory aromas and all the best, cozy feels.
as the season is shifting, i can feel a shift inside as well; a desire for change, for simplicity, for a slower pace. as of late, the Lord has (gently) been reminding me of the gift of everyday life—the in-between moments, the simple pleasures, the here & now that I so often take for granted. most days, it looks something like this:
the s l o w n e s s of the early, morning hours when the world is still sleeping, when every movement and sound is its own kind of magic. frosty mornings are accompanied with lingering fog and dewy grass that glistens in the soft sunlight. the pitter-patter of rain from a late morning storm creates kaleidoscope patterns on my car windshield. the evening hours are here sooner, with shadows that dance across the walls as the last rays of sun disappear beyond the horizon line, leaving painted streaks of colors fading into the sky.
being attentive to these things comes pretty natural for me, but recently, i've been realizing how easy it is to slip into the hurriedness of my everyday that i end up missing out on the beauty of life itself.
my fingers gravitate towards thoughtlessly scrolling through social media—the grand highlights of others' lives; my calendar fills with to-dos, zoom calls, meetings, appointments; my days span from sunrise to after dark, and even then, can i squeeze 6? 7? hours of sleep in for the night? but my mind stays awake, already racing towards the happenings of tomorrow.
my fingers gravitate towards thoughtlessly scrolling through social media—the grand highlights of others' lives; my calendar fills with to-dos, zoom calls, meetings, appointments; my days span from sunrise to after dark, and even then, can i squeeze 6? 7? hours of sleep in for the night? but my mind stays awake, already racing towards the happenings of tomorrow.
it's come to a point where i've realized how i've been running full-steam ahead without stopping to smell the roses. i've been hustling towards so many things that i have forgotten to enjoy this season i'm in. currently. right now. but it's ok (and much, much needed) to slow down.
it's ok to quiet the noise of other people's lives on the internet.
it's ok to leave some open space in my schedule.
it's so important to reflect, reevaluate, readjust (especially if you're feeling stuck.)
it's so important to lean in and hear God's voice speak in the stillness.
to desire Jesus more fully, more deeply, more intimately.
to see His glory that shines through every good thing.
to know that in the midst of this season of life, i can find rest in Him—physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually.
tomorrow will come, today is what we've been given—let's really savor these moments. let's take time to rest, to lean into the changing of the season, and feel that shift in ourselves too. are you in tune with this season of life, with ears and eyes open to what you can learn? how you can grow? what you might be missing?
i don't know about you, but for me, i'm striving for a slower pace, for intentionality, for a mindset of gratitude. i want to be more attentive to small details and simple beauties. i'd love to start reading more and spending time outdoors and grabbing coffee with friends, just because.
even if i can make a few small adjustments to my days, that's at least a start, i'm willing to try.
——
below: a few thoughts on how to be mindful in slowing down and soaking up our everyday:
1. limit time on your phone
2. move your body and stretch
3. doodle, write, paint, scrapbook, ect.—just for fun!
4. start a new book (or finish an old one)
5. take a walk outside—phone free
6. bake or cook something by hand
7. clean or organize a room/space
8. write a handwritten letter to a friend
9. brew a fresh cup of coffee or tea
10. start journaling every day
11. re-decorate a room
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