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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / Faith / A Wednesday update: writing, soup, and a new notebook…

A Wednesday update: writing, soup, and a new notebook…

January 18, 2017 · 17 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, inspiration

CLEARLY the Lord is working on something within me, because I’m still struggling with my writing. For weeks (months?) I felt like maybe it just wasn’t “in the cards” for me  to continue as a writer. Maybe the season is over for me? Then, after journaling during nap time, I took on a new perspective: perhaps it’s just the devil trying to get inside my head and steer me away from my gifts. Maybe? I asked God to make it loud and clear what is going on, because nothing else makes sense.

Within other areas of my life: food, sleep, relationships, and time spent caring for myself, I feel totally healthy. I have no trouble sharing with others how I’m feeling, from the little details to more substantial topics.

So, what’s going on with my writing?

Friends, I truly feel like I’m in a writing drought! “Drought” isn’t the right word — I feel like something is standing in my way. Like a literal block. I’m not giving up (I really enjoy writing), and it’s not that I don’t know what to write about (I have lots to share). When I sit down to write, either nothing comes out or my mind goes blank. I can see my thoughts, but they are fuzzy and out of reach.

My choice to minimize where I spend my time online has helped in a big way, so I know it’s not that.

I need to switch gears…

One of my priorities for this year is to cook new recipes, and ohhhh goodness, I’ve been making so many different soups. (Edie has taught me so much.) Making soup is so fun! I love pulling an armful of ingredients out of the fridge, warming up my dutch oven, and cooking dinner as my tribe plays around me. Usually I have Marigold near me in her high chair, Natalie is coloring with markers or crayons, and Max is building with LEGOs. But also usually, Max loves (lives?) to chase Natalie. He usually has on a t-shirt and underpants; she’s wearing leggings and a sweatshirt. Both are barefoot. Her pink “baby” is tucked under her arm, and she’s hollering at him to stop. I love watching their personalities emerge.

Soon after the chase begins, Bauer briskly walks to our bedroom to hide from the kids. He’s smart. After a few minutes, someone gets distracted, and the chasing stops naturally. (Whew.) I fill my water glass one more time, chop the vegetables, add some broth and meat or soaked bean, then I sprinkle in a few spices. I get out the bowls, set out a tub of shaved Parmesan, and ask Max to help me set the table. It’s a wonderful mix of chaos while I create in the kitchen, and it’s our routine.

I think it’s normal to have waves of doubt with the things we feel called to do, with the activities we enjoy doing, but what I’m feeling with my writers block is really starting to discourage me. I enjoy writing, and I miss not to being able to write. I’m nearly miserable.

Yesterday, a new notebook arrived in the mail. Beginning tonight, I’m gathering with a group of women from my church, and we’ll be meeting weekly. Maybe this will spur on some sort of writing revival for me?

Praying for a “yes”!

PS. my tassel/wooden necklace is by The Jones Market. It was a surprise gift from Zack this past Christmas, and my absolute favorite accessory!

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17 Comments
Filed Under: Faith, inspiration

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Comments

  1. Rebecca Smith says

    January 18, 2017 at 9:30 am

    I loved this post. You haven’t lost your writing skillz… they came out strong today. I smiled picturing Max and Nony running through the halls. Just love you. Don’t stop writing. Just keep pushing through. Your mojo will come back stronger than ever!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 18, 2017 at 3:42 pm

      Thanks for the encouragement — it sure means a lot :)

      Reply
    • Hubbs says

      January 19, 2017 at 11:48 am

      I agree with Rebecca – Your writing was fantastic in this post.

      Maggs, you’re so good, and I’m proud of you for talking through the struggle. Let’s keep the conversation going.

      I love you

      – Z

      Reply
      • Maggie Whitley says

        January 19, 2017 at 1:09 pm

        You know I won’t turn down an opportunity to talk ;D thanks for being such a great encourager, I really value it.

        Reply
  2. Jenny says

    January 18, 2017 at 9:41 am

    I said a prayer for you just now. You do have a gift, and your writing encourages many. I pray that as freely as the ideas come to you, they would flow when you sit down to get them out. In the meantime, you’re letting your natural creativity come out in your cooking and appreciating the small moments with your babies. Keep shining! The words will come. xoxo

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 18, 2017 at 3:43 pm

      Thank you, Jenny — for your prayers and kind words! xx

      Reply
  3. Tara says

    January 18, 2017 at 1:39 pm

    Check out the book THE WAR OF ART. it’s an easy read. Also my husband loves MAKING IDEAS HAPPEN.

    good luck!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 18, 2017 at 3:43 pm

      Hi Tara! Thanks for the book recommendation! xx

      Reply
  4. Jordan says

    January 18, 2017 at 2:08 pm

    Wow. I feel bad that you feel miserable. I understand what you’re saying. When you journal are you able to just write without holding back? Do you ever force yourself to do that?

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 18, 2017 at 3:44 pm

      Hi dear! Sometimes I can do that? Other times I feel like I’m writing the same thing (about my frustrations). Maybe I need to follow some prompts and push through with those? Instead of just freestyle writing… Hmmm, you’re giving me something to think about… :)

      Reply
  5. Kristen says

    January 18, 2017 at 3:12 pm

    I was once told by my English teacher to keep writing even when you feel that you have nothing to write about. Like running or exercises if you stop it’s likely you may never start again. Keep at it girl.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 18, 2017 at 3:45 pm

      I’ve heard that too, which is equal parts encouraging and terrifying ;D so glad you commented! xx

      Reply
  6. Mara says

    January 19, 2017 at 12:12 pm

    Just wanted to say hi and hope you are not getting “cabin fever” too bad yet! We’re in WI and up in the thirties for temps this week and it has been SO nice in comparison to the negative zero temps earlier this winter :) Take care!!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 19, 2017 at 1:08 pm

      Hi Mara! We’ve had pretty warm temps for winter/January — I’m sort of bummed, ha! That also means very little snow. We are on the East side of Michigan, so we don’t get much snow. I bet it’s beautiful where you are. We loved the heavy snowfall Minneapolis received when we lived there. xx

      Reply
  7. Sarah says

    January 19, 2017 at 3:25 pm

    I am a writer on the side and I so understand this. I think this is very normal. Your life is in a very unique season right now… and I think it would make sense to think that your creative/writing mojo is focused on your very young and needy children right now, and when you try to direct it outwards it doesn’t quite flow/feel right? Maybe? In any case, you ARE a fantastic writer, and your personality and honesty shines through with every word. I have no doubt that you will be writing freely again before you know it. Have you read The Artist’s Way? The author recommends a daily routine called Morning Pages – 3 pages of free writing each morning before anything else – this helps access the creative side of our minds. I’ve tried to do this but right now it is very hard to get up before my little crew of early birds. :) Anyway that might be a book for you to check out and an idea to consider! Oh and also – Zack is such a gem. I always smile when I read his comments. He obviously just gets you. :)

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      January 19, 2017 at 10:06 pm

      I’ve heard of that process, and I’ve tried it a few times. My schedule is all upside down right now, we’re up too late at night but then sleep in. The kids are such good sleepers that we usually wake up when they wake up, which is 7:45am lately. CRAZY! So because of this, I rarely have a moment to sit down and write. I’m hoping to turn off my bedside lamp soon and then get up early to write and read my Bible ;) I definitely need to get back on schedule. Wish me luck! xx

      Reply
  8. Kate says

    January 20, 2017 at 4:17 pm

    Oh, it’s so frustrating to feel like you have words, but they just won’t come out! I’ve been there before… writing isn’t probably my strong suit… but I often have deep “big idea” thoughts floating around in my head that I just don’t know how to share!

    I’ve always been a journaler… may I encourage you; next time you sit down with God… try to listen & write what you feel He is telling you? Write what’s on your heart first… pray, seek Him… then… listen. It’s an amazingly encouraging experience, & I have learned so much from the Holy Spirit as I seek to hear Him & follow him.

    Also… your heart & your voice still are shining, even if you don’t feel like they are. :-) Keep trying to write, Maggie! I look forward to your posts!

    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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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. 

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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. 👏🏻📖
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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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