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You are here: Home / inspiration / for fun / An important “next step” for Maggie.

An important “next step” for Maggie.

November 14, 2016 · 4 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, inspiration

goldie plants maggie whitley

Well, hey there!

I have so much on my mind (I’m noticing this is a trend for me), and you probably gathered that if you took my survey within the last few days. Honestly, my goal was to receive 100 responses. But, friends, nearly 650 of you took the survey!

I have adored this space, I have treasured it and protected it for over eight years now. Even when my posting was infrequent or inconsistent, you have stayed with me. What a gift this community is to me! As I read through your feedback, so many different thoughts and feelings surface. Firstly, I think I’m in a little bit of shock that so many of you have been reading for years. Thirty percent of you have been following along for the last 3-4 years, and another 30% has been reading for the last 5-6 years. That is so, so cool to me. (Also, thank you!)

Secondly, if you took the survey, you probably remember me asking for your least favorite thing about my blog, and there were primarily two answers… either that I don’t post often enough (which many of you said you understand why; #manylittlechildren), or you wish I was still creating Gussy Sews products. Again, wow! So very cool! I’m excited to dive deeper with the rest of the survey results, and I’ll be picking the winners soon!

Another thing on my mind, something that I’ve felt a heart pull — before I even published the community survey, is that I want to be blogging more often. I’ve been confiding with my friends and my mom and my husband about this for years now. It’s time to get back into it. It is a genuine struggle, mostly because my brain shuts down fast once the sun sets. But, I am determined to write more often. And the same with creating. It can be hard to start, but I never regret it. The more I create (or write), the more inspired I feel to do more, and it gains a momentum all on it’s own. Do you feel that way about a hobby?

I need to discipline myself to write more. Will you help keep me accountable?

Besides, I’ve had no trouble in the past learning how to get more sleep, how to read more books, how to connect with each of my children during the day, how to practice (and thrive at) self-care, and how to become a better cook. So, I can totally teach myself how to write more consistently. I think this is an important “next step” for Maggie.

Besides, yesterday, Marigold turned seven months old. SEVEN. I can’t believe how fast my babies are growing up. Max will be four in March, and Natalie recently turned two. My tribe of little people are teaching me so much about life and flexibility, but so are a lot of books I’ve read lately (more to come on this topic). Quickly, if you haven’t read The Magnolia Story, you really should. I love Chip & Joanna Gaines encouraging message of patience, hope, hard work, and “doing things differently” simply because that was what they felt called to do.

one thousand gifts book maggie whitley

Alright, one more thing :) Remember my DIY macramé post from last month? I switched out the plant originally featured for one of the cuttings from our front porch plants (see photo above). Aren’t the baby leaves so cute? ;) With Winter coming, I brought them inside, and I trimmed them, snipped off any dead stems, and then put about ten cuttings in vases of water to re-grow new roots. I joke about this on Instagram often, but I really am becoming a plant lady. Ha ha. But, really, you should see my living room…

How was your weekend? If you took my community survey, know that I’m so grateful for your feedback. My mom is coming to visit today and we’re excited to have her attention for a couple days. I’m really looking forward to mapping out my “next steps”.

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4 Comments
Filed Under: for fun, inspiration

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Comments

  1. Jordan says

    November 14, 2016 at 2:00 pm

    WOOHOO!

    Reply
  2. Michelle Markling says

    November 17, 2016 at 12:10 pm

    As a Mom of adult men I can tell you that they cherish the time with you when they are littles and bigs.Always being a constant in their world is so very important. They also learn at your feet or from your lap how to love and live at the same time and that they are part of what makes you who you are. My sons still talk about tiny special moments they have shared with me doing “Mom” stuff. Gods got this so you’ve got this.

    Reply
  3. Micky says

    November 18, 2016 at 1:23 pm

    I am excited to hear you’ll be blogging more! I really love coming to this space and reading your thoughts. They’re always encouraging, grounding, and inspiring for me.

    Also, wanted to letchya know that the Small Business e-book you co-authored with Elise has made a big difference in my little handmade biz! I started it (the biz) just over a month ago, but have been planning and dreaming for a while now, and reading about your business journey has been SO helpful for me as I took steps to start my own. It’s a family biz, both my Mom and Dad make items to sell as well through the shop as well. I LOVE that part of it. It’s so interesting to see what they end up creating! Anyhoo….

    You asked above how the weekend was… mine was lovely :). Spent it well, had some much needed knitting time, did a little reading… got a long walk in there. All around relaxing.

    Thanks for all you do, and have a great rest of the day!

    Best,

    Micky

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      November 18, 2016 at 1:52 pm

      Hi Micky, thanks so much for your comment! And I love hearing your feedback about our ebook. It was so fun to write with Elise. Would you mind leaving a review on Amazon for it? We would appreciate it SO much! Here’s a link for you, if you’re able to. xx

      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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recent posts:

  • On writing regular letters. January 19, 2021
  • The books I hope to read this year. January 12, 2021
  • Merry Christmas! Plus, adding a little warmth to my home. December 21, 2020
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  • 10 “field trips” ideas for your homeschoolers (Detroit & beyond) September 2, 2020
  • 7 books we are reading aloud this year August 19, 2020
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JOY in motherhood & homemaking 🧺🌿💓✨

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Just a few cheery memories from my week! How about you?
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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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One song in particular comes to mind:

“We step into Freedom. 
We step into all you have for us.” -Bethel Music & Jenn Johnson

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Give yourself (and your family) the joy of an adventure away from the home. 

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I saw her feature in a recent issue of “Better Homes & Gardens” and I was all 🤩🤩over her foyer. I’m using 1/2” black masking tape (mistake-making friendly) instead of paint, also renter friendly. 

Working on this project has been so good for my mental health. Doing > worrying.
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the (in)courage Devotional Bible:
Proverbs 14:1 and Lamentations 5
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