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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / {day 2 of 7: my personal challenge}

{day 2 of 7: my personal challenge}

July 30, 2011 · 13 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration

Day 2 came & went and I’m feeling good! I’m almost feeling like I didn’t challenge myself with enough goals because not drinking pop hasn’t been an issue — mainly because we don’t even have it in the house {hehe}. And then doing my hair differently has become something super fun that I look forward to. Maybe doing a “fun” thing is just what I needed, though? Maybe :]

I rarely skip washing my hair in the morning, but that’s exactly what I did for day 2. TRESemme makes a dry shampoo so I used that, plus a little hairspray. That’s it! Since I have a natural wave, it’s almost impossible for my hair to stay straight. But I’m feeling like that’s OK — I like the natural flip it gave me yesterday.

The early bedtime/early wake time thing will be interesting, especially during weekends, since we usually stay up later… then naturally wake up later. My main goal with this is that I get consistent sleep and feel a bit more relaxed.

For my beautiful picture I choose this wire birdcage that was actually made for Lisa Leonard for The Creative Connection conference last year. Since TCC is held in the Minneapolis area, and I live in Minneapolis, Lisa let me take it home so she didn’t have to bring it back with her in California. Our home was built in 1900, so decorating it has been hard at times. There’s original wood, stained glass windows, pillars flanking the entryway, multiple large pocket doors ~ this house definitely has it’s own style, so the rustic birdcage is a perfect fit!

Tell me, HOW YOU DOIN’?

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13 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration

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Comments

  1. jessica says

    July 30, 2011 at 12:59 pm

    The hair is super awesome! Love it!

    Reply
  2. Jenny Taylor says

    July 30, 2011 at 1:08 pm

    I really like your hair! But I like your hair wavy, too! Isn’t Tresemme’s dry shampoo amazing? I love that stuff.

    Reply
  3. Lindsay says

    July 30, 2011 at 1:11 pm

    I’m lovin the straight hair! It looks great with the little wave to it.

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      July 30, 2011 at 6:37 pm

      thanks linds! thank you!! XO

      Reply
  4. Karen J Moseley says

    July 30, 2011 at 2:02 pm

    Good job, for sticking to your goal! Say? I’m interested in the Creative Connection conference! Will it be happening again? I’d love to tag along. : ) Hugs! ~ Jo

    Reply
    • Gussy Sews says

      July 30, 2011 at 6:38 pm

      hi karen! yes, TCC started last fall (2010) and seems to be a yearly conference.

      here’s their website, you should check it out! http://www.thecreativeconnectionevent.com/ i went last year and LOVED IT! made so many great connections, personal & for the biz! xoxo

      Reply
  5. Sharon says

    July 30, 2011 at 4:48 pm

    I admire you for putting these challenges out there for the rest of us to see and share. Very inspiring. I have spent the summer trying to eat better and exercise more. Never thought to “blog the journey”. Great motivation I am sure!

    Reply
  6. Heather Irene says

    July 30, 2011 at 5:56 pm

    TRESemme dry shampoo is one of my best friends! My hair looks so much better if I do that. I’m going to try to start my week of personal challenge on Monday. That means, I better be getting to bed early on Sunday night since Ben and I get up at 5:25 and my goal is to stay up after he goes to work instead of falling back asleep before I have to leave for work.

    Reply
  7. Krista says

    July 30, 2011 at 8:34 pm

    I was just having a convo with my hubby about how hard it is for me to not drink soda and we don’t ever keep it in our house either, but I’m like a magnet if I even pass a soda machine somewhere. I consider it a little treat to brighten my day. I need to make it stop!! And on another note, have you ever tried using a hair straightener on your hair? My hair is naturally ugly wavy (not cute like yours) and I don’t know what I would do without my hair straightener. Might be another fun thing for you to try.

    Reply
  8. kirstie says

    July 30, 2011 at 9:00 pm

    love that dry shampoo!! good job, maggie! and i love your hair! i’m doing good today – ate healthy (well, healthier than usual!) yesterday & today, got my workout in yesterday…..another girl feelin’ good!

    Reply
  9. Kristin Bommer says

    July 30, 2011 at 9:32 pm

    i did day 2 of my own little hair challenge too :) here’s to no plain old ponytails for 7 days!! woop woop :) :) :)

    Reply
  10. Jen says

    July 30, 2011 at 10:12 pm

    the hair is lookin’ gooooood girl!

    Reply
  11. Ebony says

    July 31, 2011 at 2:04 am

    Honey I love the new hairstyle! You are so encouraging! I feel you on the waking -up early challenge. The alarm clock can be so cruel!

    Reply

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ABOUT MAGGIE WHITLEY DESIGNS:
Maggie Whitley weaves her writings around joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith, and simple living. She homeschools her children, enjoys a quiet room while reading, and roars with laughter over the challenges & delights of motherhood. Maggie and her husband, along with their four young children, live in metro-Detroit. She has been writing online since 2008.
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maggiewhitley

JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

maggiewhitley
Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect o Reflecting on this today 💓🕊 When I reflect on the moments I’ve felt my mind spinning, my emotions swirly, it’s almost always when I’m not feasting on the word of God. Not that reading scripture is the cure for anxiety —no! Rather, it’s hard to worry when we’re worshipping.
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#womenintheword #wearethehomemakers #scripture #dailyintheword #titus2woman #healthylifestyle #mentalhealth #anxiety #anxietyawareness
Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️ Current backyard status: stunning in wonder ❄️✨
A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is A quiet night: the furnace is running, the tea is hot, and the whisper of a page turning. ♨️☕️📖 // We are breaking from school this week, my plan is to read a lot, walk a lot, and rest a lot. How about you?

#mothersofinstagram #tea #winterreading #hygge
I fought every internal comment I could think of a I fought every internal comment I could think of and took my kiddos for a looooong walk today before dinner. ❄️✨ There’s just so much work required to raise children! I’m feeling like a tired lady. But sunshine & fresh air are good companions to keep around. 

We came home and I made “the best dinner ever”. Max specifically announced, “it’s so great you’re launching new meals to the world”. LOL— kids! 🤣👏🏻💓
How about a little Wednesday night introduction? 😘Social media sure has changed over the years and we don’t always SEE who we’re following or remember WHY we’re following certain accounts. 

So, hello! As you can gather, my name is Maggie ;) 

I started writing online (almost 13 years ago) to share the handmade products I was sewing. My shop was called Gussy Sews. ✂️👛I love the community that has grown from sewing & sharing online.

Let’s FFW to today: Zack and I live in Michigan and have four young children (2 boys & 2 girls). I slowly left the handmade industry and walked right into homemaking, homeschooling, and encouraging women through writing. 💕📝

Motherhood has been very hard on me. (And not just because of how close in age our four children are.) It’s been hard for me because I fought for years to accept that *it’s supposed to be hard*. 

I mean, how do you effectively teach another person to know and love the Lord? Bc that’s how I think of motherhood: a calling to nurture others by studying the One who nurtures me. So I gotta make the first move: study the Bible and seek Him first. As my friend Autumn reminded me, vulnerability births transformation. 

(I’ve had to be really vulnerable!)

So, yes motherhood has fully transformed me. But even more so, Christ has fully transformed me. My list of “all that He’s done for me” is off to a beautifully long start.

Something else I want you to know about me: I stalled for years before acknowledging I have anxiety and depression. It’s hard to talk about this because of course this isn’t forever “my hardship”, but rather because acknowledging this means to heal I have to work through some really difficult things. ✨

But my friend Jesus walks alongside me. He’s already done a mighty work in my heart, including helping me process my anger in healthier ways. I’ve also adopted a heart for sisterhood, mothering, and Titus 2 mentorship.

Sometimes our greatest losses are our greatest gains? That’s what I’m clinging to!

How about you? Tell me something about yourself so I can get to know you on a deeper heart level. 🖤🖤
How do you play in the winter? // We had a really How do you play in the winter? // We had a really great time visiting family in northern Michigan. On my blog I share a few ways we played outside, plus I describe a memorable childhood game ❄️☃️. Did you play it as a kiddo?
We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens We had gotten a bit lazy with our rhythms: screens in the morning (HGTV), playtime before lessons, and not enough quiet time after lunch. This made for a really, ummm, unenjoyable learning experience. 

But today! Today we reset the rhythm, and we have had a much happier home & time learning together. 👏🏻
Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — t Visit my stories for a quick message from ME — think outside the box in terms of how you view the definition of “motherhood” 💓😘 (also: look at my little friend, she’s sooooo snuggly)
It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hop It’s another cold, winter day. ❄️Today I hope to bundle up for another family nature walk, knowing the fresh air sweeps out any & all frustration, inviting inspiration inside. ✨That’s something we all need more of.
seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming seriously LOL: I’ve found the secret to calming the Laundry Beast (as a family of 6). Who wants the inside scoop? ✔️🧺👏🏻
Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomo Another batch of “fun mail” is headed out tomorrow :) small celebrations like this are very life giving! PS. thinking of starting a zoom book club — I need more sisterhood in my life. 👏🏻📖
The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are The house is quiet. The heat is on. The pages are turning. The tea is calm. 🖤☕️🧺📖
Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his ful Breakfast with Buzz! If only you could see his full costume and laser blaster and of course the Buzz action figure he flys around 🌟💚💙💨someone has discovered a superhero crush! #joyinmotherhood #slowmornings #surprisedbymotherhood // Landon @ 2.5yo
Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to Today on my blog I have a list of books I hope to read this year. Plus my reading goal for the year. And a few practicals ways I fit in reading as a mama of four young children & homeschooling them. Basically, all the good stuff ☺️💓📖 #maggiewhitleydotcom #readersofinstagram #read #readmorebooks
It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the fu It was the perfect opportunity to rearrange the furniture as we took the tree down Tuesday midday. Def one of my fav things to do.🎄👋🏻 We made it through our first week back to school since mid-December! It was rough to begin but ended with high fives. ⭐️✏️This morning I zoomed with a mama friend and I’m impressed with the many topics we covered. Sisterhood is sooooo necessary! ☕️👩🏽‍🤝‍👩🏼

Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activiti Book reading! One of my best “Maggie” activities. I finished my last book moments before 2020 ended, which brought my started list to a close. Small joys add up to big joys ;)

What are you reading this year? Currently?

How many books are you planning to read? What’s your goal?

I’ll share what’s on my list for 2021 soon as I received some nice titles at Christmas. 📖✨🤍
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