This past week has been a really wonderful, peace-filled week for me. I pulled back on the time spent on my computer (and if I’m being honest, I didn’t work out a single day either). As a result I was much more present during the days and much less drained in the evenings. It gave me white space to think and reflect after a few weeks of just barging through our to do list. I spent time cogitating on the past year and gave thought to the coming summer break (which will begin for us at the end of next week) and subsequent school year when I will have both girls full time.
I’ve realized that a page is turning and I need to make some adjustments as we move into this new season (both literally and figuratively). From the outside it may not even be very apparent that anything is changing, but in my mental space, I’m making some switches, including loosening the pressure I put on myself in this space for not only the sake of my peace of mind, but also for the quality of the posts I write.
This blog has become a big piece of me. It’s my creative outlet, it’s my connection to so many incredible people (you!), it’s a place where I can write and discuss my ideas, thoughts, routines, and reflections. I love sharing what inspires me, but cranking out content just to fill a self-imposed schedule is a not only a disservice to my creativity, but it’s also a disservice to you.
I don’t say it as often as I think it, but I am so grateful that you choose to visit this space. I know how busy you are and how much you have going on in your life. The fact that you choose to spend some of your time on A Healthy Slice of Life feels like an honor and a responsibility. I want to put my heart into what I share here in hopes of bringing something of value into your life. Whether it’s helpful or entertaining or just makes you smile, I want it to be time well spent.
So there is no real announcement here, just a public releasing of my self-imposed schedule. I’ll post when I’m inspired to share something of value with you, and when I’m not, I’ll be over on Instagram and Facebook sharing what I’m cooking for dinner, our daily antics, and our travels, whether that’s to a nearby park or a cross-country road trip (one day… ;)).
To liven things up a little, a quick “currently” rundown…
Reading: The Good and The Beautiful curriculum sample pages. I haven’t pulled the trigger yet, but it’s looking good.
Eating: Less grains in the evenings, per The Woman Code recommendation and it has seemed to make a difference with my symptoms this past cycle. More cycles needed before I claim a real difference, but it’s encouraging.
Cauliflower rice, vegan kofta (formed into patties and pan-fried), Greek salad (minus the pasta), hummus, tatziki and parsley
Watching: The Handmaid’s Tale: Season One. It’s dark. And disturbing. But we can’t seem to look away.
Drinking: A lot of tea- Mighty Leaf Organic Green Dragon is my go-to lately. I brew it in a mason jar, about half full, then fill it with ice once it is cool.
Congratulating: Caroline (comment 31 of 190 as chosen by random.org). You won the Clarisonic MIA 2! Check your inbox! Also, there seemed to be a lot of interest in skincare (my people!), so maybe I’ll be able to do a giveaway with one of my favorite products next time.
Wearing: This T-shirt dress from GAP (below in dark blue- get 40% off today with the code HAPPY) and this dress in pink dawn (also 40% off). Repeat all summer.
Working On: Our family album… from last year. I’m really trying to crunch and catch up because right now I’m in July of 2017. I use MixBook and I’m hoping to get current and then stay current (easier said than done). The family albums are very important to me and the girls love them too. Kaitlyn woke up this past Wednesday (her 4th birthday) asking to see pictures of her were she was a “tiny baby” so for the first 20 minutes of the day we snuggled on the couch looking at pictures of me while I was pregnant and her first few weeks of life. Those memories are priceless.
Feeling: Happy! Dad has been feeling good which just makes nothing else matter much. And with the longer days and the sounds of warm weather (currently listening to a lawn mower), I’m just feeling light. It feels good to be in a good place and I hope you are experiencing the same. Sending much love to you and wishing you a wonderful weekend!
John J. says
Good for you for listening to your “inner self” and honoring what that voice is saying to you as you approach a new season. “The unexamined life is not worth living” – Socrates.
courtney says
I enjoy just daily rundowns of you and the girls more than posts with a certain point or significance… but I love your blog so don’t stop posting!!
Brittany Dixon says
Thank you Courtney! <3 I definitely will be still writing about everyday happenings here and there, but since I do so much on Instagram stories I feel like it's repetitive to post it here on the blog too haha! I will definitely still do life catch-all posts too. Those are some of my favorite to write!
Emily says
Yes for John feeling good! Those days are the biggest victories ever!
sherry says
You have your priorities in order and are doing what is good for you and your family–good for you! I will have to check Instagram more often so that I don’t miss anything.
Caroline says
Oh wow! I am so excited to have won! I never win anything 🙂 Haven’t seen anything come through in my inbox yet, but I’ll keep checking! Thank you!
Rebecca says
I really like your posting schedule- it is something to look forward to. “Hey, it’s Wednesday, there’s a new post to read!”
However, I also understand why you’d want a change. We don’t want you to get burned out and end up with no posts! (A Day in the Life posts are quite welcome 🙂 )
Brittany Dixon says
I love to hear that someone loves day in the life posts because I find them so enjoyable to write! I’m due for one soon so maybe once preschool finished up this week I’ll hop on it! 🙂 Thank you for your support and feedback <3
Laura says
I completely understand and respect your adjustment. Family and mom sanity is the most important thing 🙂 I am about to enter my big yearly “summer break adjustment” (which in reality is only 2 months) and I am more ready than ever. For the first time in 7 years of teaching I am feeling really burnt out. I don’t know if it is just my kid’s ages (2 and 4) or the extra responsibilities I’ve taken on this year, but I am just giddy with excitement over entering my final week full week of packing lunches, leaving at 7 am every morning, and only having a few “free” evenings during the work week. The days have felt difficult and sometimes unmanageable, and I have to keep reminding myself of how the school year feels so different, and much more enjoyable outside of May (and maybe part of April). Even just a relatively simple day last week about killed me; not sure if it is the heat or just all the extra evening commitments, or a lingering stomach bug, but after teaching in a hot classroom all day, tutoring after school for finals, and then taking the kids to the library after work I realized it was a 13 hour day, I was coming home at 6 pm to a messy house with dinner not yet started, dishes to be loaded, lunches to be packed and a 2 year old who wanted to be held, while all I wanted to do was get out of my sweaty clothes and take a shower (and then collapse in bed). I am tapped out for the year; I’ve lost my drive and know it. Back in January it seemed quite manageable to get up early, load up the crock pot, teach, pick up kids and go to a class at the Y, come home, eat dinner/ make lunches, get kids ready for bed… rinse and repeat. But I’ve hit a wall for that kind of efficiency and I’m eliminating extras left and right (graduation open houses, classes at the Y, going away parties). When students ask me why I can’t be somewhere I just have to tell them- “sorry, I’m working mom with two little kids and I can’t do it all”. Can I just say one more time- hurray for summer?!?!?!!!!
You should post when it feels right! I love your insta stories as well as the blog posts, but of course it needs to feel enjoyable and manageable to you as well, else, as with anything- what’s the point? Come August (1st- eek!!) I hope to come back to my classroom feeling renewed and reassured of why I teach and why I love it. We all deserve to love what we do.
Brittany Dixon says
I have no doubt a more relaxed summer schedule will have you feeling renewed and invigorated come August! Some outdoor adventures will fill your soul 🙂
I have to agree with you though- coming home to a messy house just makes me feel defeated. It still happens quite often but I try to rush around and at least pick up the kitchen before we leave for the day. It makes such a difference in my mood!
Maria says
I’m happy that you are doing well and your dad is feeling good! Handmaid’s Tale is so intense. My heart cannot take it. But I cannot stop watching because I am rooting for June so hard!
Brittany Dixon says
We just finished season one! After a few nights off sitcoms and cheap laughs I might be able to move on to season two…
A fan says
Sorry to hear you’ll be posting less, as I love reading anything you post.
Just wanted to say I didn’t really enjoy the phrase ‘pull the trigger’, but it must be American? It’s kinda violent to me and reflects the kind of gun stuff you seem to have going on..
Brittany Dixon says
Thanks for your support! I see what you mean with the “pull the trigger” phrase but it’s honestly just a very common saying that is in my everyday vocabulary from back when I was growing up. I see that it does carry a bit more heaviness with it now with the terrible situations we’ve been faced with more and more lately. Where are you from? I take it it’s not a common phrase there!