Is one week in too soon to say I’m back to blogging regularly? Ha. Maybe, but I feel committed and excited to get back to this space. While I enjoy the connection of Instagram so much, the blog is the heart and soul of what I do and I want to put most of my focus here.
So, with that, I wanted to just chat with you today. Starting with a common, but important question- how are you doing?
When I asked this on Instagram last week, with the options of hanging in there or struggling a bit, the majority responded with struggling. That made me want to give out a million I get it hugs. I wish there was a way I could support you more (and if there is, let me know!).
My goal and role in this space and time is to simply continue sharing my life with you. Not because it’s anything particularly noteworthy, but because the biggest lack I am seeing in the world right now is connection. I want this place to be about connection. I want to hear how you are right now, and as a gateway, I’ll go first.
Mentally: Mentally I’m doing pretty well most days. We have a lot going on at the moment, which I look forward to sharing more of with you soon, so my mind is often occupied, which is a good thing. We’ve been able to create some fun summer memories, from our family lake gathering, to joining friends at Oak Island for a couple days, and celebrating the fourth of July.
We are homeschooling (first and third grade now), and it’s solidified that I like the year-round approach because it takes off a lot of pressure. We don’t have a strict schedule beyond doing school when we’re at home, and I like that. I’ll be sharing our curriculum for the year later this week.
Emotionally: This really depends on which day (sometimes which hour) you ask me. Sometimes I’ll be working out and then break down into tears because a song Dad liked came on. Or I’ll be sharing a peek into life on Instagram stories and have messages shaming me for taking my kids to the beach. I get it; life is incredibly emotionally charged for us all right now. While I don’t understand people who want to release that pressure on strangers on the internet, I get that it comes with the territory of sharing and being open.
To be honest, I’ve thought about being done with sharing because it would just be easier to disappear and go live my life with my family. But right now, that’s not my path. Like I said before, I think we need connection now more than ever and over the past few weeks I’ve found new online friends that inspire me to keep being open. That means some people will leave this space, but it means others might be drawn to it. If I can be a friend for just a single person, it’s worth it to me at this moment to keep going.
Physically: This is mostly a positive right now! David and I have never been more committed to working out. I have been a member of Madeline Moves’ weekly workouts (it’s an app) for months and am hooked. She releases five new workouts every week and David and I do them M-F. Right now we are doing her challenge, which means an extra workout on Saturday, too. I think five days a week is my sweet spot though.
Food-wise, we’ve been eating pretty well- here are our current favorite meals. With summer fun, there have also been more chips and dips and vodka sodas than usual, which I’m OK with. However, this is our first fully normal week back at home and I’m excited to have a full week’s meal plan lined up (here’s my free printable if you are a planner, too!) and to maybe stretch to Friday before having an adult beverage. Maybe.
Whether you want to comment and let me know how you are (which I always enjoy reading!) or not, I hope you take the time to check in with yourself. It’s so helpful for me to evaluate where I’m thriving and where I’m struggling. Sometimes it helps me to put action items into place and other times it’s just important for me to acknowledge what is hard at the moment and hold space for it.
Sending sunshine your way; I hope you have a really good week. <3
Michelle says
Thanks for always being so honest!!! We’ve had a different summer that’s for sure without camps and our community swimming pool open….but we did drive from IL to FL earlier in the summer to spend 2 weeks at a house with a pool near some family. So thankful we returned back home before FL cases got really crazy! I’m just ready for normal again whatever that might be. It’s hard entertaining a 2 1/2 and newly 5 yr old 24-7 for the past 4 months!!!
Brittany Dixon says
Whew, girl, yes! Those ages (while adorable) are certainly mentally and physically demanding. So glad you were able to get in some sunshine! <3
Jen says
I have always loved your blog posts for the past 8+years. Following on Instagram helps too but I think your family is amazing and I would miss your posts if you ever disappeared from social media. It has been so heavy the past few months and I appreciate the positivity and real honest heart you show on your platforms. I follow Madeline moves too and it is an awesome workout program. She is so sweet and relatable.
Thank you so much for sharing and always being you!
Brittany Dixon says
Thank you so much for the kind words! I fully believe most people are kind and good, and I like sticking around to connect with those people like you. Thanks for being a light in my life! 🙂
Allison says
I’m one of those struggling a bit. I live in CA where we have strict restrictions so I am envious of your summer adventures. Most kid activities are closed here – even the beach is often closed here. The zoo finally reopened but it’s not feasible to keep my small kids masked in the summer heat which is mandatory. We are not supposed to be seeing anyone, even family. So yes- I am struggling as I do not yet see a light at the end of the tunnel. I’m not shaming you as I know you always do whats best for your family – just sharing how people are living on the other coast.
Brittany Dixon says
No shame felt! It’s so interesting to hear about how different things are depending on where one lives. I was talking to a friend this morning about the same thing. She and her family have been to a couple different states lately and she says it’s wild how in one, everything was closed, and in another they had open summer camps, gyms, and everything.
Becki McMahon says
I just want to tell you that I love that your girls match so often! I have a 19 month old and 3 year old and seeing your older girls still willing to do it gives me hope that mine will still indulge me at that age. Thanks for your positive, yet real posts❤️
Brittany Dixon says
I keep wondering when they’ll request to not match, but for now, they both still love it! I’ll do it for as long as I can 😉
Sherry says
You are so amazing! How you continue to give of yourself so openly and honestly despite some of the hateful and mean comments you receive is commendable (or crazy 😜) You are resilient, vulnerable, loving, kind, compassionate and I’ve always been so proud to call you my daughter !
Brittany Dixon says
Or crazy! Haha! Some days you are right about that, Mama. 🙂 Love you so much!
Lauren says
Just wanted to take a moment to say that I love your blog and your dedication to it. I definitely prefer the long form format of blogs over social media. It is where you can truly express yourself and I love it! Keep up the great work!
Brittany Dixon says
Thank you, Lauren! I love Insta stories, but agree with you- long form writing still takes the cake! 🙂
Emily S says
I have read your blog for years and it’s one of the few I still follow! I have 3 little girls and relate to you…my heart goes out to you guys, I’m Sure these early days are still so raw! You made such a wonderful point about how we NEED connection! Of course that looks so different for everyone right now BUT it’s something that I think we should be talking about more often! It’s so easy to feel alone right now! Thanks for sharing your life and I hope you keep
Doing it 💕🥰
Brittany Dixon says
I completely agree. Our mental health ties in so closely with our physical, and we have to weigh the risks on both sides of things. Thank you for your comment and for reading <3 Hugs to you and your girls!
Gen Perryman says
Your honesty is so refreshing….it’s been a heavy year for so many…and we are all doing the best we can. Your homeschooling has been inspiring, especially when we (like most of the country) unexpectedly found ourselves homeschooling in March. I gave myself grace as I thought of you and your girls……and allowed time in the kitchen with my kids and family game nights to serve as life lessons and didn’t stress as much about completing every online assignment. Keep sharing and inspiring 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Cooking and game nights are one of the best and most important parts of *home*schooling and my heart is so, so happy to hear you were able to fully embrace them. <3 Thank you so much for your kind words!
Lauren Brennan says
I’ve always admired bloggers, including YOU, for putting yourselves out there and sharing your life with strangers, and in doing so, opening yourselves up to criticism. You are all so brave! I’m so glad you are going to keep sharing, and ignore the shamers!!
I live in California, which has been more strict, but I think everyone everywhere is going through the roller coaster of emotions. It’s hard not to look at what’s going on and not get down… but I keep reminding myself to keep looking UP. The God who created this world and everyone in it is still on His throne and is in control. ❤️
Taryn says
I love your blog and have for years! As far as how I am doing – I almost feel bad saying that we are doing well. We have 2 kids (almost 9 and almost 7) and they aren’t negatively affected at all. So many positive things have come out of this for our family (acknowledging that if one of us had gotten sick things would be completely different). More wide open space on the weekend to fill with fun family activities. Connecting with my husband more. More sleep. Lazy family dinners. Later kid bedtimes. Kids sleeping in. No rat race to get out the door in the mornings. No weeknight kid activities. Kids having more space and time to “just be kids.” Teaching the kids to mountain bike (we have been 10 times this spring/summer). More time to kayak on our local river (we’ve been 6 times already). Newly formed friendships with the neighbors because we all have more time to hang out. Dare I say I am nervous about when things “return to normal?”
Jenn says
I know. My husband and I have been regularly talking about what we want to continue after things go back to the new normal. More weekends without plans, more family game nights, more family hikes and bike rides, less eating out, less busyness in general. I hate that it took a pandemic to make us realize how busy we were stuffing our lives. Also thankful that our family is safe for now and praying for all those who have been affected.
Brittany Dixon says
I know it’s hard to say that aloud right now when of course we want to be sensitive to everyone who is weathering the same storm in very different circumstances, but I’m thrilled to hear you and your family are doing well! The sleep, and dinners, and time together are unique silver linings to a very interesting year and I think it’s beautiful to recognize them. Thank you for sharing <3
Anne says
Longtime reader here, and I just want to say good for you for continuing to do what’s best for you and your family! Must be tough to endure the critics and shamers out there, but know there are many of us who appreciate and enjoy your authentic content. Especially (for me anyway) the recipes and meal inspiration! We made your broccoli quinoa muffins for the gazillionth time this week (my 7 year old makes them for us now) and then enjoyed them for lunch at the pool. 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Thanks so much for the encouragement, Anne, it really does mean a lot! I’m grateful that the vast majority of this online community are loving, kind people. I feel super lucky about that 🙂
And hooray for the quinoa bites; so glad y’all enjoy them!!
Leah says
What a sweet post to check in on us all. And so needed. We are doing… ok. Like you, Brittany, we are dealing grief after my mother-in-law passed away suddenly from a heart attack in mid-June. It was so sudden and completely unexpected, and add on top of that the fact that we hadn’t seen her since early March since we were still under strict guidelines in our state. (We had spoken regulatory, though, and of course we thought we’d visit as soon as restrictions lifted.) But imagine all the sadness from a loss PLUS the guilt and grief that she never got one last hug from her loved ones… it’s overwhelming to deal with everything in the midst of Covid, and I feel like I’m using so much of my energy to support and take care of my partner… But, we are ok and it’s getting better as the days pass (it’s been 3 weeks now). We’re having game night almost every night for the last few weeks which is something to look forward to at the end of the day. My heart goes out to you as well with the loss of your dad. <3
Chris@TTL says
Thanks for sharing! We’re handling the COVID days O.K. up in Virginia, too.
I know you guys are outside of Charlotte, but just curious, is it a bit more of a suburban or rural setting? We’ve been evaluating life in an urban area as this pandemic rages on…
Looks like you’re all staying healthy and happy. Good on you, and hoping it continues!
Brittany Dixon says
We’re in more a suburban setting, but rural life isn’t too far from outside where we are. Glad you are doing well in Virginia!
Leah says
Thank you for always being honest and sharing what is on your heart. I hope you continue to share as I would miss you if you went away from this space!
I am definitely struggling. My state was one of the first hit with covid and cases continue to grow. We have many restrictions in place and most things are cancelled for summer. I have a high risk child and we’ve been very isolated since beginning of March. It’s taken it’s toll on all of us. We’ve had two deaths in the family also. I know this is a difficult season for many. Trying to find the joy in the little things and think about all the bonus time I get with my children.