Monday, April 20, 2015

Slow Evening


I posted this photo on Instagram last week and I keep coming back to it. I just love it so much. It is right after dinner, the kitchen is cleaned up and my jobs for the day are really done. No expectations, no to-do's, it was just one of those golden moments that you want to hold on to forever and every moment at the same time.

Our house is tidy right now which is not super common these days {um, years} but it makes such a difference for mama when we are making the effort. And, I find that it is much easier to find time to slow when I keep the house picked up and "encourage" those living with me to follow suit.

Every time I hit one of these high's - I analyze it to death: how can I hold on to this? How can I maintain this? Dear self - PLEASE just keep being diligent and daily enforcing clean up. Oh, what a difference it makes.

How do you keep up with the long-term and not just short-term maintenance of good discipline and goals around your house?

When our house is tidier, I'm much more at peace and rest, much happier, calmer, less stressed {!!}, and also actually get more accomplished because I am keeping up on things instead of letting them linger and languish in a pile or even just giving up because I'm overwhelmed with where to start.

Sometimes things just click and we are in one of those phases right now - I want to hold on to it and beg it to move in permanently. But, I am also just enjoying these days where slow is coming more easily and simple is a great feeling.


We had fun circling around and watching our new fave: Fixer Upper! These are the moments of sweet, sweet memories in our pondered-and-treasured spaces, friends! I ask you this question all the time in my head and frequently in a post - but really, what will you do to choose slow today?

7 comments:

Bevy @ Treasured Up and Pondered said...

I agree with you --- when the home is tider you feel like you get more done, just because you're on top of things...all around. Much more peace ensues.

Today's choice for slow? Just enjoying the heavy sound of raindrops falling on the tin roof.

Deborah said...

I also find myself in this situation. I recently asked my four kiddos if they noticed a difference when we worked at keeping everything tidy. They all agreed it made it easier to enjoy life together. My goal now is to continue with the decluttering. Our stuff owns us, rather than the other way around. Not only does less stuff make it easier to keep our house tidy, it makes it easier to keep my mind tidy. Love the picture and the reminder to be diligent. My apologies if this comment appears twice. my computer is being a little weird this morning. :)

Wendi said...

I know that you are not alone in this struggle. I thrive on neat and orderly. This season in my life it is a rare treat!

Today will be the slowest day of the week for me. Besides the trip I made to the grocery store this morning it will be a home day. It is raining so I am going to light candles and put a roast in the oven.

Elise said...

Gosh, you are so smart to recognize and act on your need for tidyness. I know I need to, also, as messes definitely make me cranky.

Mrs. Chrissy T said...

I tend to notice the same thing and do the over analyzing as well. I just remind myself that everything has a season. I do have some habits I have created over the years that do help me keep up on things but even those can be thrown off. Your space looks refreshing and inviting. One thing that helped me was when you did that day where we worked on making our home a haven. I loved that.

Mom said...

I definitely agree that a tidy home contributes to a peaceful spirit! Well done for being successful with this right now (and don't be too hard on yourself when you're not!) -

Love the photo of your students and their teacher :)

Love, Mom

Jill said...

I'm all about organization, it truly does create more efficiency and less stress! :-) Taking time to appreciate the "little" things throughout our days. :-)

Blessings,
Jill