February 2, 2024
Happy Friday!
Lately, people have been asking me what the hardest part of adding a 5th child to our family is. Honestly, it is home upkeep. I feel overwhelmed some days at the amount of dishes, laundry, and food prep that has to happen to keep the home afloat.
I know I am not alone in this. Overwhelm is a common experience. 🙃
Elisabeth Elliot often said two very helpful things that I replay over and over in my head on hard, overwhelming days.
1. “Do the next right thing.”
2. “Do a doable portion.”
Simply starting the next right thing shifts me out of overwhelm almost instantaneously. And recognizing that just because I can’t always do 30 minutes of dishes at once, doesn’t mean 5 minutes of dishes is a waste.
In light of those quotes, here are some ideas for intentionality to help you do the next right thing this week.
Ideas for Intentionality
Using Timers: This video shows you how I use timers to kick the overwhelm and just get going. I am throwing this kid-friendly timer into my cart this week. I think it will help my little girls understand how much time is left on their clean-up timer.
Steam Mop: OK, I know there are a lot of fancy vacuum mops out there, but I keep hearing that they don’t perform long-term. This simple steam mop just uses water to sanitize the floors. Mopping is something I felt way too overwhelmed to do until I started steam mopping. I only add water to the basin and I even steam mop my wood just on the lowest temp setting.
Study Bible: Nothing helps me do the right thing more than being in God’s word consistently. I love a good Study Bible to help me understand the confusing parts of the Bible. Here is an old video I made on how to choose a Bible. I have enjoyed this one and this one for a couple of years now.
Electrolytes + Mineral Drops: These help me get over the 2 PM slump when I feel like I can’t get going. So many of us are mineral deficient, and it is difficult to help improve our hormones when our mineral stores are low. I use the electrolytes to cover the taste of the mineral drops, blend with this, and add ice. GIRLTEACHME10 saves you 10% on the electrolytes.
Podcast Episode: I have listened to this episode at least 4 times and sent it to more people than I can count. It isn’t from a Christian worldview and I don’t recommend all the episodes of this podcast, but WOW, this guest BLEW my mind on how hard work is essential for our mental health. If we keep hitting the easy button 🔴 in life, it can take a toll on us. Apple link and Spotify link.
Sending Love,
Lana
P. S. If you missed the previous Ideas for Intentionality Newsletters, see them all here.
Pregnant P.S. Did you know that if your brain understands that labor sensations are normal and safe, your body experiences less pain? Your brain makes the call to experience pain 100% of the time. It is WILD! Come learn with me how birth can be a working pain, not a hurting pain.
Thanks for reading. You can get more actionable ideas in my popular email newsletter. Each week, I share about resources, products, and ideas that will help you value each day God gives you. Over 1,000 women have subscribed. Enter your email now and join us.