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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / creativity / Learn, experience, and fly.

Learn, experience, and fly.

March 29, 2017 · 10 Comments
Filed Under: creativity, inspiration

I’m writing to you today with the smell of sunshine floating through our home. I can smell it on Maxwell when I sit as his side and help him with a project. It dusted itself on Marigold’s head, and I smelled as I nursed her before her afternoon nap. And it tucked itself into bed with Natalie as she sucked her thumb and snuggled her two babies. Spring, you are welcome here.

The smell of sunshine is the magic potion of our day.

The winter season is coming to an end, with each new day giving us more daylight. I can hear the birds chattering away as I make our morning coffee, and the kids are happy to play outside for longer than seven minutes. Things feel different and better and I feel like shouting, Hooray!, way more often ;)

I’m learning once again the importance of keeping my hands busy with projects. On Monday I sewed for hours and spent time refining the design of a new Gussy Sews product. On Tuesday I caught up on laundry and put away the eight dozen tiny things that somehow accumulate around our home? (It’s like they multiply themselves overnight.)

And then there’s today. A whole new bundle of projects happened, and another layer of winter fog was peeled back. All before the clock struck Noon, we had gone on a long neighborhood walk. I made dinner and put it in the fridge. We read books on the couch and the kids played outside on their bikes. I wore Goldie on my back as we collected two bushels of backyard sticks (!) and then I made my crew lunch. My body feels tired, my legs sore from the yardwork, and my hands feel dry from all the dirt they touched.

Sometimes, we just need to try.

Try to do the things that feel hard. Three toddlers, one infant, and a dog outside = a really fun morning of yard work!

Try a new recipe that is sure to fill up the kids never-full tummies. This recipe is already prepped for tonight!

Make a plan for how to reset “the crazy”. Hint: it has little to do with correcting the kids, and everything to do with Zack and I spending better time together / having more fun as a family.

Try to get through your to-do list. Just start, and simplify the process as you go!

Stop wishing for an always-clean kitchen and welcome the mess of a few constant dishes. It’s a privilege to be able to serve a meal!

Stop wondering when you’ll stop taking medicine for post-partum depression. I’m so GRATEFUL to have found a solution that’s helping me feel like the best Maggie.

Take notice of the things we avoid doing. Perhaps there’s a greater reason: it’s not the right time / it’s not a good fit / it’s not really how I should be spending my time. Maybe we should listen more to our excuses?

Other things that I never regret doing: asking a friend to get together, going to bed early, praying with Zack, sitting down with my kids as they play, buying new fabric, writing a “thank you” note.

Staying busy (in a healthy way) with projects keeps my mind sharp. I feel like my most creative self when I’m making a mess in the kitchen, the kids room, the basement with a new project. It feels amazing to finish something that visually takes up a lot of space. Washing dishes. Putting away out-of-season clothes. Reorganizing a closet. Powering through piles of paperwork. Picking up sticks and a fleet of bicycles, washing away dirt from our hands.

In all of my years, I have never regretted trying, because trying helps me learn, experience, and fly.

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10 Comments
Filed Under: creativity, inspiration

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Comments

  1. Nicole Humphreys says

    March 30, 2017 at 1:09 pm

    You are awesome. Love your realness, vulnerability, and honesty. You are a great mama.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      March 30, 2017 at 1:21 pm

      Grateful for your encouraging words! xx

      Reply
  2. Becky says

    March 30, 2017 at 1:57 pm

    Where did you get that clock?

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      March 30, 2017 at 2:19 pm

      It’s from a produce / floral / gift shop in Lansing, MI called Horrocks. It’s a favorite, it “made the cut” when we sold nearly everything and moved to Los Angeles. xx

      Reply
  3. Stacey says

    March 30, 2017 at 2:02 pm

    I always love reading what you share. Thanks for being vulnerable and sharing a glimpse into your life. I suffered with PPD too, but I was never brave enough to get help. I wish I would have!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      March 30, 2017 at 2:21 pm

      If you still need help, please gift yourself and seek after it. You’re brave to share about PPD, you know. Depression is a hard kick in the shins, too often we struggle to define our pain. Thank you for commenting, Stacey.

      Reply
      • Stacey says

        April 1, 2017 at 7:50 pm

        Thanks, Maggie. My youngest is the same age as Maxwell. It took me a couple years. Part of what added to it was finding out that she was deaf. Once I was able to process all of that, and trust God with whatever he had for her life, I was slowly able to climb out of the pit. Most of the time now, I’m fine. Just a few bad days here and there.

        Reply
  4. Laura Radniecki says

    March 31, 2017 at 11:54 pm

    I relate deeply to your thoughts of when you will be able to stop taking meds for your postpartum depression. I have found myself wondering the same thing over the last few months, especially as my son neared and just had his first birthday.

    At my annual exam recently as I was sharing my feelings, my doctor made me feel better by saying she recommends I stay on it for now. It lifted the worrying about whether I should be trying to wean off the meds or not.

    You are right; it’s simply a gift to have found something that can help us feel like the best version of ourselves again. For us and for our families.

    For now, that is enough.

    Reply
  5. Laura says

    April 3, 2017 at 9:49 am

    This is a lovely post, Maggie. A breath of fresh air, and so encouraging.

    I noticed the balance bike – I’m assuming it’s Maxwell’s? Do you have any tips for getting a kiddo started on one? My almost 3.5yo would have nothing to do with it last summer, and I’m hoping it’s not too late to convince him to give it a try!

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      April 4, 2017 at 1:55 pm

      OH man, I don’t have any advice. He plays with it 50/50, I don’t recommend it for long bike rides, but for playing in the yard or driveway, he sure seems to have fun. Continue to encourage your son? I’m sure you’re doing a great job of this already. ♥

      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
“We are preparing to wind down for the school ye “We are preparing to wind down for the school year with just a few more weeks of intentional table lessons. We will then transition to a lighter learning schedule during the summer months. Today I am grateful for the books and resources I’ve read that have helped keep me in my own lane. (Visit my blog to see a personal favorite.)

Even now, three years in, I appreciate the reminder to stay on the path that was designed with intentional thought just for me.”

✨ see #maggiewhitleydotcom for the full post ✨
I took off my “comparison / contemplation” gla I took off my “comparison / contemplation” glasses last month and it’s been soooooo good. See also: sooooo hard (because life is never and/or). I’ve been writing more, reading more, spending more time outside. Talking to friends faces and smelling their detergent. My heart feels lighter. I’m sharing a few updates on my blog if you’d like to read? 🌾🤓blog reading & writing is a much better pace for me. You too? Link in profile.
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
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