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what’s saving my life right now

It is February 2nd, which unbeknownst to me, is the actual halfway point of winter (add that to my “what I’m learning” list: that is why Groundhog Day is February 2nd. How did I not know this before?!). Anyhoo, Modern Mrs. Darcy is inviting bloggers to share their “what’s saving my life” lists because we’re halfway through what is the toughest season for most people. Over the years, I’ve actually grown to love the quiet and laziness of January and February in Indiana (living seasonally should mean embracing the seasons, right?!), but this month has been especially gray and there is plenty negative to focus on in the world, so I figured writing down some of the things that are saving my life right now wouldn’t hurt.

What’s saving my life right now

Yoga. I know I’m a broken record on my recent love of yoga, but it is just that good. It is certainly saving my life right now when I don’t get outside as much as I would like. I’ve been experimenting with the YogaGlo app for a few weeks. I’m not sure it’s worth the subscription fee all year-round, but it has definitely worth it for me this time of the year. I’m planning to test a few more of the online options and report back with my reviews.

Church before church hikes. We started going on a hike before church as a new year family resolution, and it has quickly become one of my favorite things. We went one week when it was six degrees, which ended up being a great thing because in the weeks since when it hasn’t been nearly as cold out, it feels downright balmy out. Plus, best of all, the kids don’t complain about the weather after that one bitterly cold day. Lesson: do hard and uncomfortable things because it makes the easier days feel even better.

Wii football. It has been a very rainy January. We still go outside when it’s cold, but I usually don’t make the kids go outside when it is rainy and cold, which makes for so. much. togetherness in our house. The kids discovered Wii football a few weeks ago. They still aren’t very good at it, but they like the challenge or something. It has saved my sanity more than once this dreary January to let them earn some Wii time by cleaning their room or feeding the chickens or some other neglected chore.

FarmersMarket.com. I’m a broken record on this too (full review here), but having freshly-grown (uber-local) greens in the middle of winter just generally makes me happy.

Voxer. Keeping up with friends and family on the phone is hard. It takes too much coordination for it to work with our full schedules, but Voxer allows me to have the feeling of actual conversations without the stress of coordinating schedules. My sister lives far away, and Vox helps us to feel like we’re more in tune with what is going on with the other person even if we haven’t chatted over the phone live in a few weeks. Plus, it is mostly hands-free, so I can do it in the car when I wouldn’t otherwise be doing much besides driving.

Good fiction. Getting into someone else’s story is one of my favorite ways to take care of myself, and I’ve read some great fiction this month.

Centering prayer. Grant and I went to this contemplative workshop series every week this month, and it was SO good. My favorite part was Kim’s explanation and experience of centering prayer. I still have lots to learn, but I have been trying to incorporate more of it into my week. I told Grant that I think centering prayer is a “long game,” in that it requires a commitment over a long time to notice a difference in your life, but I’m at least a little bit hooked. I would recommend checking out this app and website if you’re interested in learning more.

Hygge. I wrote about hygge last fall, but then I read The Year of Living Danishly (highly recommended) this month and got even more hooked. Plus, January in Indiana is made for practicing some hygge, and I have loved having the excuse/giving myself permission to stay in, ask Grant to start a fire, and cozy up with a book.

This little exercise is a good excuse to focus on what is good about your life right now, versus focusing on the negative patterns that we tend to get stuck in. I would love to hear what’s saving your life right now – in the comments or post a link to your own list!

2 Comments

  • Robert Staley

    Sara, hope all is well in Indy! We are so grateful for the oppurtunity to move to Northern Michigan and experience all of the incredible seasons up here (still getting the hang of skiing, but am a pro at snowshoeing!). Love reading your blog and saw you mention Hygge. I just read an article (https://www.northernexpress.com/news/feature/hygge-a-new-word-for-a-northern-way-of-life/) in Northern Express which is a large weekly newspaper here in Northern Michigan as it explains how Hygge is a natural fit for Michiganders due to the long cold, snowy winters. Interesting read!

    Take care!
    Robert & Laura

    (if you ever vacation near the Traverse City area send us a message)

    • sxtwo

      Hi Staleys! We need to get up to your new neck of the woods at some point soon. Yes, I’ve read that so many Scandinavians settled in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin because it was similar to their home climate. It makes sense that you all would be good at hygge too!

      Thanks for reading!
      Sara