Do you ever feel like your life could use a little spring cleaning? Like out with the old in with the new kinda thing? Yesterday I woke up with this strong feeling that it was time to shake things up and make some improvements in my life. I am sure some of this has to do with the fact that I have recently stropped nursing Ronin and I am pretty much a bag of major raging hormones or "Hormonal Hermione" as my husband likes to call me but nonetheless I decided it was time for a few changes...
My Life Spring Cleaning Changes:
- Make my health a number one priority. No excuses.
- Get rid of and donate "stuff" that I am holding onto for whatever reason that is just taking up space.
- Turn off the TV at night while the boys are awake. I feel like our house is so noisy already TV just adds another distraction.
- Do more reading. Ok...this is embarrassing but I can not even remember the last book that I read. That is SAD. I want to make time for reading. Any good book recommendations?
- Stop using the "I'm too busy" excuse. The bottom line is if I need or want to do something I can make time for it.
- Cut back on that glass of wine (or two) to de-stress at the end of the day and instead go on a evening walk with my family and talk about our day together.
26 comments:
state of wonder, ann patchett. or anything by anne lamott. lift by kelly corrigan you'd love, and it's short so a great one to inch you back in! yay, have fun!
Hi Lindsay,
I guess it's that time of year. A great time to renew and make some changes. Oh how I love to purge items from my closet and home. Not sure what type of books you like, but I love Kate Morton books. One of my favourites is The Forgotten Garden. Also, if you haven't read it, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls is incredible. As for the wine, good luck! One thing I won't give up even if eating healthier!
Love this list! I agree about the tv. I've been reading more instead. The quiet is so much more relaxing. The best books I've read lately are The Fault in Our Stars, The Book Thief, and The Glass Castle.
For non-fiction hilarity (memoir), I recommend "Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?" by Mindy Kaling. I finished it a few weeks ago and am still laughing quietly to myself every once in a while as I remember snippets.
Another great non-fiction (advice style) is "How to be a Hepburn in a Hilton World" by Jordan Christy.
For fiction, try "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn. It's a bit psycho, but still a good read (and very popular right now). I also really like "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho, "The Hunger Games" trilogy by Suzanne Collins, anything by Sue Monk Kidd ("A Secret Life of Bees" author), anything by Madeleine L'Engle (but some are more suited for juveniles, so check with your local library or Goodreads for specific recommendations).
Overwhelmed yet? I'm a voracious reader and recently-diplomaed librarian, so let know how my first Reader's Advisory recommendations are, and if you need any more. =)
"Spring cleaning" your life is such a great thing to do ~ thanks for sharing and inspiring me to do the same! I need to get better at watching less tv and reading more, too! Right now I'm reading Thunder Dog by Michael Hingson and it's a truly inspiring story of a blind man who made it out of the Twin Towers on 9/11 with the help of his guide dog. Such an inspiring journey of his life!
I've been reading gone girl and the fault in our stars!
Just a few book recommendations -
"7 : An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess" by Jen Hatmaker. -especially with your spring cleaning theme - this may really inspire you and will certainly challenge you.
"Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers
-A book I read in college and it was one of the best books I've ever read - it will reel you in. Make sure you have a box of Kleenex.
"Same Kind of Different as Me" by Ron Hall and Denver Moore
-keep your box of Kleenex around for this one, too.
Love your list Lindsay!For books: What Alice Forgot, The Paris Wife, Gone Girl, Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Coast Trail, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime...I have a lot of others too! :)
I would recommend reading the Bible, amazing facts has this read the bible in 1 year checklist and it is simple. I feel like it is entertaining and productive at the same time, it has helped me strengthen my relationship with God as well as improve my life overall!
Love Emily Siemens recommendations! "Redeeming Love" is a beautiful read that is really enriching and inspiring!
Another book that deeply touched me is called "Kisses from Katie"
(http://www.amazon.com/Kisses-Katie-Story-Relentless-Redemption/dp/1451612095/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1363886879&sr=8-1&keywords=kisses+from+katie)
I love books that help to grow me as a person, focusing on Christ and what He has done for me and also how to share this love (katie Davis story).
I love donating things! Always seems like such a relief when I drop the bags off. Don't like "hamstering" too many things:)
That last one would be TOUGH. I'd be more likely to put it in a to-go cup and take it with me on the walk. :o)
Wow, that's a pretty good "New Start" list! I can never write one and actually fulfill them lol. I think a book you might like is "Stargirl" by Jerry Spinelli. It is one of my FAVORITES and it's a very creative read :) I sound so fancy right now haha
"French Kids Eat Everything". Absolutely a must read. Changed my whole parenting philosophy.
Yea to new beginnings :)
I love this! I need a spring cleaning too!
My boyfriend's mom gave me "The Glass Castle" to read. Was super quick (read it in 2 days-but I love to read) and had some interesting food for thought about growing up, parenting, and development. I really enjoyed it.
Great list! I second the Anne Lamott recommendation (I prefer her nonfiction to her fiction).
I need to follow your lead :)
I definitely need some spring cleaning in my life! So, the whole "I'm busy" thing is something I have been trying to work at for some time. It is so true that we will make time for something we really want. Life will always be too busy, fact. But I know that it is just a matter of re-prioritizing and allotting my time where I want to get things done! Also, on the reading part - I am so with you! I am horrible at picking up a book to read just in general and even if I start one I have the hardest time finishing it! I guess for me it goes back to prioritizing my time to just do it! Happy weekend, friend :) And happy spring! XO Brynn
p.s. I just finished the last few bites of the chocolate avocado pudding I made last night as I was reading this post :) That dessert has saved me in so many sweet tooth moments!
Yes, the Glass Castle in awesome!!! A bunch of ladies and I have a book club on Facebook (and in real life, in Mira Mesa) if you are interested... we talk about a million books!!
The TV one is something I need to spring clean too. It's so easy to turn it one while prepping for dinner. *sigh*
Just finished Columbine by Dave Cullen. Fascinating page-turner.
Great list!! I've recently resolved to start reading, too :) A great read is "Gone Girl" by Gillian Flynn. I have a 3 & 4 yr old, so I have to be VERY motivated to read & get through a book. Gone Girl was one of those books you can't put down...I found myself sneaking in a a page whenever I could :) I'm also trying my hand at blogging, as well. I need an outlet for all the crazy!
http://tiarastantrumsandmartinis.blogspot.com/
We love after dinner walks! A tradition passed down from my parents, who took all 6 of us kids for a walk around the block. Being the oldest, I was super embarrassed at the parade of us at the time. But looking back I can see why they did what they did, and its now one of the many favorite things about my big family.
I'm with you on all your spring cleaning points. Except the last one, you can have your wine and your walks ;)
http://projectawesomemom.com/
Don't feel bad, I can't remember that last non-design related book I've read! I keep saying I want to read more, but never do. Jotting down some of these recommendations to hopefully read one.. ;)
Love these suggestions.
Post a Comment