The most frustrating part of vacationing is coming back home. I enjoyed the trip so much, but the piles & piles of work & responsibilities I left here are so overwhelming. Actually, I haven’t felt like myself for a few days. I’m suffering financially, spiritually, & emotionally.
Digging into the dirt of our garden (pictures featured above) yesterday released a lot of tension from within, but my life still seems hectic & disorganized.
I need discipline & I need to find a routine. Some areas where I’ve been suffering include:
- school- I’ve been ignoring my studies & focusing on other parts of my life. How do I enjoy my studies when I’ve been putting very little effort into learning?
- myself- I haven’t given myself enough “me time.” I long for interactions from others, but I need need need alone time. I am full of ideas & inspirations. I want to begin watercolor, I want to make more photographs, I want to drink tea & read a book all afternoon.
- spiritually- This is so difficult for me. Most of the time, I go to God only when I’m suffering. I pray for things to be better, for things to go the way I want them to. I need to celebrate in his steadfast love for me at all times, not only the weakening periods of my life.
- my health- Lately, been eating terribly. I’ve been overeating, eating what’s easiest to cook, & finding comfort in what goes into my mouth.
So, I’ve decided to make changes in these areas:
- school- I will continuously make a check-list of things I need to do daily. Blogging, flickr, & email will become last priorities. By completing assignments first, I will not have the guilt hanging over me to finish an assignment.
- myself- I will set aside time each day for myself if at all possible. Even if it is the fifteen-minute walk to work, I will focus on what makes me happy, what keeps me going. I will continually carry around my journal to write down inspirations, scribble, & note things I appreciate.
- spiritually- I must start yoga. At least three days a week, I will meditate on God and His importance in my life. Seeking his word will be a priority each morning while I eat breakfast.
- health- Last night, Luke & I made a delicious meal of Asparagus Lemon Pasta with a nice salad. I’ve already bought groceries for the next two weeks so I know what will be going in my body. No more visits for ice cream, no more expensive espressos. I will eat slower & be thankful for each bite.
If you’re still reading, thank you. I’m finding that blogging, just writing out all of my thoughts can be so therapeutic, so humbling. So thank you again for reading. All of your comments are so uplifting & inspiring.
So, do you have any advice in any of these areas that would be helpful to make a change? I would love to know how you stay organized, healthy, & uplifted. When you’re feeling down, how do you get back up? finish the day? stay on top?
love,
Natalie
Good morning! I’ve been cleaning, wrapping gifts & packing since 7 this morning. I have a few more things on my to-do list- return library books, pack lunches & buy film- before Luke & I head down to Arkansas to celebrate his dad’s birthday. He’s turning fifty!
I snapped this photo this morning. I’ve been keeping my shades up & my curtains tied back. I feel more hopeful for spring when I can feel the natural light in my bedroom.
& writing of spring, Wednesday, and its beautiful weather, sparked even more hope.
Tip always finds the best places to feel the warmth from the sun.
Tip & I spent most of our afternoon walking to Salvation Army (where I found those boots for $4!!), soaking in the sun, & enjoying a nice beer before I headed off to my last class.
Later, Luke & I met up with others to enjoy a nice evening of skating at the roller rink.
We plan to maybe go on another date to the roller rink & perhaps afterward, go to Broadway Diner for shakes 🙂 We had that much fun!
I wish you all a wonderful, warm weekend.
love,
Natalie
Tori has come & gone. But while she was here, it was perfect. We played scrabble with friends, made food, took pictures of food, & planned an entire day of photo-making in downtown. Sadly, my film camera decided that it didn’t want to work properly & my film was exposed before I could have it developed. But hey!- it is just film. 🙂
Now that the weekend is over, I’m overwhelmed with all of my assignments due this week & paperwork that needs to be completed for school. I hope to stay organized & on top of things this week despite the craziness.
What are some ways you stay organized & stress-free during overwhelmingly hectic weeks?
Have a good day!
love,
Natalie