Faith & FamilyPushing Reset October 9, 2018 I’ve come to see that pushing the metaphorical reset button is an important skill to master. Growing up, my mom first taught me this. Her company had sick days and “mental health” days that you took when you needed a reset. Every so often, when she could see I was about to hit a wall from trying to do too much, be on every committee, etc. in school, she’d say “we need a mental health day.” And that break would be the push I needed to stop the train for a second, see things clearly, and then go back to life’s demands refreshed. As an adult, I’ve noticed that every few months, I need a small reset (probably way more often now that I’m a parent). Sometimes it’s needed more than others, but I always feel the twinge when it’s time. Because it’s so hard to see it all clearly when you’re in the midst of it. It takes stepping away a bit to really see the importance of something or to gain clarity on how to move. Over the last few months, Chris and I both have felt the need for a reset building. We traveled a lot more than normal over the summer and explored a ton. It was wonderful and much of what we envision for this little family of ours, but the lack of routine that brings paired with the upheaval at home from the addition, started to wear on us a bit. We’ve felt in a time of transition with where the kids are at, my work, and our vision for the future. Things feel “pending” and there were many things we needed to sort through and seek clarity on how to act. A few weeks ago, my parents kept the kids for a few days and we were able to sneak away to stop life, so to speak, and push reset. We love New England in the fall and want to make a tradition of visiting there each year with our family. We flew into Boston and then spent several days in Chatham, Massachusetts…perhaps the most charming coastal New England town there is (though every one I visit, I say that about…it’s a magical place). There was gorgeous inspiration at every turn. Gorgeous fishing villages to walk through. Beautiful nature to enjoy and take in. A porch to rock on as long as we wanted. And most of all, our favorite adventurer by our side to see it all with. We missed these two little buds like crazy and spent quite a bit of time looking at pictures and videos my parents sent. And let’s be honest, they had the time of their lives at Mimi and Papi’s farmhouse. But it was so good to get to just be “us” for a few days…for the mind to clear and to have space and inspiration to dream together. It rejuvenated us and gave us clarity we were seeking. And most of all, that time away always seems to show us how incredibly good life is and we’re so ready to get back to it when our adventuring comes to a close. While I didn’t mean for this blog to be on “reset” these last few months, looking back now, I can see work was in a place where I needed some clarity that I wasn’t able to get in the midst of it all. Slowing work down a bit this summer during our crazy reno season and just focusing on social media has been so helpful to see what role this blog plays in our bigger picture. If you follow me on Instagram, then you’ve kept up with us fairly well! If not, this post can serve as a quick catch-up before we dive back into other content I have planned that I’m really excited for. The addition is coming to a close and I’m so excited to share more progress with you and my design plans and spaces as they unfold! ***** I mentioned this on Instagram, but we were able to significantly help fund this trip through strategically using credit card points. So many people in that post asked for our resources on that topic, so here is a podcast that my husband loves and learned a ton from! We want to help all of the world travelers at heart actually get to be world travelers because we’ve seen what value traveling can have for us. Like I said in my video about residual income, we’re so passionate about finding creative ways to make your money work harder for you and this is a great example of that! If you ever have questions about how we’re doing that (traveling or otherwise), shoot them our way! We seriously LOVE helping others with what we’ve learned that’s making such a difference for us! I missed you, sweet friends. And I missed this space to share and chat. I know most of you are on Instagram, so it started to feel like there wasn’t a huge need for this platform anymore since posting on social media takes so much less time in this busy season, but God has really shown me there is space for both and a different purpose in each, so I’m excited to explore that going forward with some renewed passion and perspective. For those of you who still read blogs and who are on Instagram, I’d love to hear your take on it. Do you use them differently? Do you go to each for something specific? Would love to hear your perspectives on that as I’m sorting through the different roles they can each play in this business and life of mine!
Cindy says October 9, 2018 at 10:30 am I look to blogs more for the details. I appreciate the “in real time” aspect of social media but it can become white noise with so much content constantly being uploaded. Especially in matters of DIY’s, I appreciate the updated and pictures on SM but I’m going to go to the blog for the details and instructions if it’s something I’m wanting to learn more about. Hope that makes sense. π Reply
Lindsay says November 1, 2018 at 4:26 pm It does, thank you so much, Cindy! Makes so much sense and is good food for thought for sure! Reply
milo says October 9, 2018 at 10:45 am As an early adopter of Instagram and now a quitter, please don’t stop blogging! I quit because instagram had gotten so niosy – cluttered with people just posting to stay relevant or posts without much substance. The deeper, slower, more focused dive most blog posts provide appeals more to me. Reply
Lindsay says November 1, 2018 at 4:25 pm Thank you so much for sharing that. That is such good food for thought and you are so right! It is really noisy – I have accounts that are so inspiring to me and I never see them in my feed, I usually just go search for them vs scrolling. “focused dive” is such a good way to think about the blog vs. instagram and the functions they both serve! Reply
Ann Flora says October 9, 2018 at 1:27 pm Even though I follow you on Instagram, the blog posts are still my favorite, too. π Reply
Robbie Zeller says October 9, 2018 at 2:42 pm Lindsay, Instagram is fun but if you follow a handful of folks it feels like you loose the passions and strengths of individulals. When I check your blog in the morning I am following you carefully and stopping to think about what you are really saying and thinking. Much more personal for me than Instagram. You are a wonderful writer and God has used you to prompt this βole 65 year old gal to make some new goals and press into my relationship with God in fresh new ways. Appreciate you Lindsay! Reply
Lindsay says November 1, 2018 at 4:20 pm Aww Robbie, that is so beautifully put and so insightful for me. You truly just refreshed my perspective for this blog! Thank you for sharing that π You’re always such an encouragement! Reply
Dina says October 9, 2018 at 4:26 pm My heart lurched when I saw your post in my email – so happy to see you! Yours is truly a sweet heart and I enjoy every update. You do what is right for you, but for the record, I view blogs more than Instagram. Hugs and kisses. Dina Reply
Lindsay says November 1, 2018 at 4:19 pm So good to hear, Dina! Thank you for sharing that! I really appreciate it. I do think there’s a different purpose for each – just have to sort that out and then ACCEPT IT (the hardest part for me π ). Reply
Silvia Loya says October 9, 2018 at 5:06 pm Lindsay, so nice that you and your husband were able to get away for a few days. And what a more gorgeous area than the New England states. Visited this time of the year, last year Vermont. Breathtaking and overwhelming. Wanted to absorb all the sights and beauty. Nothing like that back home in South Texas. Glad you are back home and gearing up, I’m sure, for the holidays. Can’t wait to see what’s coming in the next few weeks. Always look forward to your blog and ideas. Reply
Lindsay says November 1, 2018 at 4:19 pm Oh I really really want to go to vermont next fall! Where did you visit? Would love any recommendations you have!!! Reply
Silvia Loya says November 1, 2018 at 4:49 pm You have to visit Brattleboro. The bridge is what caught my attention, since I see it so often in magazines and photographs. Didn’t get a chance to visit Stowe, VT. I hear it is just as breathtaking. Love what you did with your home renovations. Someday (if I ever hit the lotto) I will put in a mudroom and a bigger kitchen (just to look at since I don’t do much cooking anymore.) Always wanted a spacious kitchen. Reply
AmandaKB says October 9, 2018 at 6:17 pm Hey! It’s so good to see a post today. I much prefer your blog posts since I don’t interact on Instagram. I’m glad you and Chris had a chance to get away. I completely understand what you mean about feeling like things are “pending.” We’ve been in a phase like that for a while now. We’re also pursuing options for different or additional jobs and residual income, so if you have other ideas beyond what you’ve already shared, I’d love to hear more. Excited to hear more about your house addition! Reply
Lindsay says November 1, 2018 at 4:18 pm Aww Amanda thank you for sharing this! Really appreciate your insight. And goodness, I totally get it – always on the hunt for residual income over here and will continue to share as we keep heading down this journey! Reply
Meaghan says October 9, 2018 at 7:22 pm I go to Instagram for almost like “sneak peeks” and I love reading blogs for more heart and further info about all the little bits I see on Instagram. In particular, I really enjoy reading your blog posts because they are so so thoughtful! Reply
Lindsay says November 1, 2018 at 4:18 pm Thank you so much for the insight, Meaghan! This really really gave me so much to think about!! Reply
Sherry says October 10, 2018 at 10:16 am I have missed you. I have yet to figure out how to do Instagram and actually follow someone so did not see anything. :<((( Can't wait to see the reno and know that God is directing you both into wonderful things for His kingdom. Blessings to you sister. Reply
Lindsay says November 1, 2018 at 4:17 pm Haha, Sherry! You sound like my husband – he does nothing with social media and it is so foreign to him! I post daily over there on my profile and stories, but do feel like there’s still a purpose here – just have to figure out what it is since blog posts take so much more time. But I do love it here and feel like it can serve a different purpose π Reply
Katie says October 10, 2018 at 2:40 pm I’m not really an Instagram girl. . . I’ve just always loved blogs. Blogs feel more personal to me than Instagram pictures, emojis, and shorter blurbs. I love your blog posts and am always interested in your projects, financial journey, healthy living, and parenting – they seem more heartfelt. Thanks for sharing your life with us. π Reply
Lindsay says November 1, 2018 at 4:16 pm OH Katie, thank you so much for saying this!!! So good to hear your insight! Reply
shar y says October 10, 2018 at 3:43 pm I much prefer blogs for the details. Instagram should not be a burden to slog through and I rarely read what is written if it is too long. Your blog posts have always been just the right amount of words and photos to make them very enjoyable! Reply
Lindsay says November 1, 2018 at 4:16 pm Thank you so much for sharing this perspective! So good to know! Reply
Heather P. says October 10, 2018 at 4:41 pm I was happy to see another post from you! I know youβve been going thru some challenging times and have been sorting things out (and I understand!) but I have missed you and your blog! I like both Instagram and blogs, each for different reasons. Instagram is more visually inspiring and blogs give more info and really help you develop a relationship with the blogger. My vote would be to keep your blog. ? God bless you and your sweet family! Reply
Lindsay says November 1, 2018 at 4:15 pm Aww thank you so much, Heather! That makes me so happy to hear! Reply
Heather says October 10, 2018 at 6:17 pm So happy to read your update! For social media I only use Instagram, and I use it daily for inspiration. That being said I also read blogs religiously too! Iβm in a similar season, recent stay at home mommy with a 5, 2 and newborn babe. No matter how busy life gets I always make time to read my favorite blogs (yours included!!) even if itβs a week later. Blogs are my escape, my creative outlet and inspiration. Although I donβt have a blog I love DIY and all things house related. My husband and I just redid our 60s original kitchen and yours was major inspiration. So thank you! Anywho, that turned rather long, but thank you for your posts. Regardless of how often you post Iβll continue to read ? Reply
Lindsay says November 1, 2018 at 4:15 pm Oh Heather thank you so, so much for taking the time to say this! It’s a confusing road to walk at times with so many platforms now! But this was really helpful!! Reply