Hello and happy Wednesday! Yesterday was the most insanely gorgeous day. If I didn’t own a calendar I never would have guessed it was an early February day, as the sun shone brightly, warming up to a comfortable 70 degrees with a slight breeze.
Have you seen that meme that says I never believed seasonal depression was real until that first pretty day hit and I feel like I popped a molly? Now, I’ve never “popped a molly” or really even know what exact drug that is referring to, but I can tell you the levity and optimism that pumped through my veins yesterday was a high.
Priorities, Contentment, & the Seasons of Life
First I got to enjoy coffee with mom and my Aunt Pat. My Aunt Pat is my dad’s sister and she doesn’t live nearby so we don’t get to see her very often. She came to visit my mom for a week and they came up for a night. What a treat. Aunt Pat is sharp as a whip, a brilliant bridge player, and many of her mannerisms remind me of my Grandma Betty (her mom). The whole visit was so nice and left me feeling truly happy. Family is the best.
They took off in the morning and the girls and I did our school work before taking off to Hailey’s piano lesson. While she learned, I walked Finley through the Furman campus. I reveled in the sunshine and Finley reveled in the extra scratches and coos from young college kids excited to see a dog. The campus was bustling and full of life.
David and I exercised in the afternoon with the doors and windows wide open. The kids ran out to play with friends in the woods. I had a spring inspired dinner planned (Hailey’s request, Cobb salads) which I made with the windows ajar. We finished off this wonderful day with Kaitlyn’s first ever softball practice, which she left completely lit up with the joy of her new beloved sport.
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It was a really great day.
Priorities & Contentment
Over this past year I’ve given a lot of thought to joy and contentment. Making a big move is really hard in a lot of ways, no matter the catalyst. Being that ours was self motivated brought many of its own challenges in the form of worry or doubt. Nothing forced us into this; were we making the right choice? It’s a challenge, but a worthy one, to spend time discovering our priorities and then steering our lives in a direction that matches them.
I won’t cheapen how difficult this can be, as there are so many factors to consider when making big, life altering decisions. David and I continue to wrestle with some choices that feel scary to consider, but I think this past year has proven to me that we do hold real power in our own lives. If we truly yearn for something different from our current reality, and it’s important enough to us, then we can and should make real moves toward it and trust God in the process.
My source of joy in this season of my life looks different than in other seasons, as it naturally should I suppose. I’m finding contentment in quieter places. Some things bringing me deep satisfaction these days are outdoor hikes, doing school and life side by side with my growing girls who still certainly need adult guidance but are quickly and marvelously turning into the most incredible little people full of life and wonder, conversations with David on life, goals, and time and how best to spend them, learning new things that make me a little nervous like gardens and chickens, quiet mornings with Finley snuggled up at my side, and connecting with community and forging friendships rooted in the truth of each person showing up as they are with no pretense.
Maybe it’s age or maybe it’s growth, but I feel I am seeking and settling into a calmer version of happiness. Perhaps contentment? I’m not seeking thrills or highs, but noticing the absolute beauty in the ordinary moments. And I might even be starting to understand how people like birdwatching. Ha. But truly. Maybe birdwatching is considered a grandma habit because it highlights that you’ve gotten to a stage in life where you realize how sweet it is to slow down a bit and simply enjoy the wonderment of the things that surround us.
The Seasons of Life
In my fifth decade of life I can more easily see the seasons of life and the joy of leaning into each one while we’re in it. I don’t long to be a college kid again but smile when I think back with gratitude that I got to live that chapter in all its excitement of stepping into what feels like complete independence. I don’t long to be a new mom to a baby and toddler again (most days… some days I recall only the highlights of that season and not the challenges and absolutely dream to spend a day in that reality again) but am in awe that I got to live that life for a chapter.
My mind now is focused in on this season. How can God use me to best show up in this season as a young 40-something wife and mom to a teen and a tween. Who can I positively impact and how, so that a decade from now I look back with satisfaction on how I showed up for myself and the people I love in this season?
Anyway… that’s what been occupying my mind. Finding my peace, protecting it, leaning into growth and questioning how best to be a light for others… while also driving kids to practices, figuring out what’s for dinner, and getting into bed by 9:30 so I’m not a grump the next day 😉
And with that, it’s time to get off the couch and get moving. I hope your day today is a lovely one; thanks for stopping by <3
Erin says
Needed this reminder today! I’m feeling super down this week — it’s bitterly cold and icy where we live in the Northeast and my 5 year old has been stuck home with the flu. Trying to find small moments of joy today and remember that warmer days are coming.
Brittany Dixon says
So sorry you are battling the flu; that will certainly make you feel weary. I hope you all feel 100% soon and that you can find some coziness in the form of a good book or movie. Warmer days are on the way! <3
Kathy says
what a lovely post. 🙂
SHU says
I love this Brittany! Both the contentedness you have and your thought processes about it. (I also feel like the 40s are the best! I love this decade!).
Brittany Dixon says
I am enjoying this decade, too! I’m fine if it passes slowly though; stretch on out, please, 40’s 😉
rachathi says
This hits home for me too, my boys are 8 and 10 and this age feels like a transition from the baby/toddler years into the tween/teen years. Our spring baseball season with both of them will be nuts and I’ve been working hard on having a positive attitude about it – they enjoy the sport, we can divide and conquer when schedules conflict, and it’s only for a few months. But chatting with soon-to-be new moms (a neighbor and a coworker are both pregnant and due this spring with their firstborn) I remember those days and how different they were, and hope that I can be a resource and source of encouragement to them.
Brittany Dixon says
Spring sport season is such mayhem isn’t it? So much fun, too, though! I really love what you said about hoping you can be a resource and source on encouragement to your neighbors that are about to be moms. I remember how overwhelming that stage felt and a source of comfort and encouragement right down the street would be such a gift. Thanks for sharing your perspective on this <3
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Joanna says
Love this post and can relate. My favorite a.m. moment is my first cup of coffee while everyone is still sleeping. I’m happy in this stage of life, still crazy busy but grateful. I love your line – Finding my peace, protecting it – it took me years to not feel bad for doing this for myself. It’s ok to say no, I can’t/don’t want to do that. My husband has been bird watching for Years!, even his personal email is birdofprey lol. He’s always pointing out birds to us. It’s a good reminder to take a moment to look around and see the beauty around us.
Brittany Dixon says
I love that your husband knows birds so well! In our co-op we have nature study and hearing all about trees and how to identify them is suddenly fascinating to me, ha! 🙂 And I agree, that first morning sip of warmth is the bestttt. <3
Laura says
I don’t know if it’s my age or my kids ages, but time really does seem to be moving faster as I am now closer to 50 than 40. And when I started teaching I didn’t have my own kids, now my oldest is at the age of the students I teach (11- 14) and it feels crazy. I have become so protective of my time outside of school, and setting clear boundaries, which means saying no to a lot of extra opportunities through my school- things that might be possible in 10 or so years, but not now. I think one of the great things that comes with wisdom and age is really not caring what “the outside world” thinks you should be doing. And not striving to be doing what others are doing, but striving for what feels right for myself and my family. Right now, I’m all about simplifying, and the freedom that this provides me so that I can fill my free time with my boys’ activities, traveling adventures or intentional downtime. I’m so happy for you for finding and seeking your peace and protecting it!
Brittany Dixon says
Time definitely moves faster as we get older! I know everyone says this (don’t blink!), but experiencing it is something else. Kids definitely highlight the warp speed forward progress. I admire your ability to prioritize what is important to your family and live it out. You make it look easy 🙂
Dana Barna says
This really spoke to me. I too, find that I’m loving the simple things in life. Snuggling with my dog, watching movies with my daughter, chatting with my teen son and building legos! I’m 45 and I feel so content and happy! Love it!! I love your blog posts and reading about your day to day life. Thank you for sharing!
Brittany Dixon says
I can feel your joy through your words and it makes me so happy. Cheers to embracing this chapter! <3
Meaghan says
This post was beautiful. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.