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Maggie Whitley

joy in motherhood, homemaking, faith & simple living

You are here: Home / inspiration / A simple shift of the mind…

A simple shift of the mind…

May 1, 2018 · 8 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration, mamahood

Let’s begin a conversation about how constant and consuming and creative motherhood is.

Let’s talk about how each day can hold exactly the same as the day before (whew!), but each day can also hold totally new things (also, whew!) that take your breath away, leaving you in wonderment of how great motherhood is.

Let’s talk about how each day can be so consuming that you collapse on your bed at night, leaving the tiniest pool of drool as evidence on your pillow as your husband reaches over to turn off your bedside lamp.

Let’s talk about how each day is a new chance to feel much creativity, show your creativity, be taught creativity as you flitter between children and chores and conversation.

Most of the time motherhood feels immeasurable. Does it feel that way to you? So much takes place through feelings, so many emotions and hearts involved. I pour into my children and family and if I’m paying attention, the sown seed takes hold of the soil which sends a boost of affirmation my way. I’m then able to remind myself, YES I CAN DO THIS AGAIN TOMORROW!

Happy confetti falls from the heavens.

But, I don’t always see the measurement of motherhood, at least not right away.

Motherhood takes courage. It takes pruning and positivity and (the making of) plans. Just recently I started planning a few tasks that are more-easily measured. With almost four children so very close in age, boosts of affirmation are so life-giving. Yes, writing the following on my paper to-do list…

laundry

budget

write thank you notes

return a call to [x]

organize front closet

…is measurable. But it’s also a bit of the regularly scheduled programming. What I’m talking about is making fun plans that bring excitement and empowerment to me as a mama. Something that allows me to see that the seed took hold of the soil ~ something that feels more challenging than folding a load of laundry faster than the load prior ;)

Because of this, I’ve created a simple change of the mind to help me as I “mother” about my day: do something each week, each day even, that brings a bounty of measurable empowerment and affirmation.

Here are actual notes from my paper list…

learn a new skill (embroidery? running? book club? volunteer?)

start a project that requires making a mess (yard work? switch the children’s bedrooms? re-pot a plant? organize the garage?)

make fun plans to get out of the house alone

See what I mean? Give yourself something that’s more easily measured. Push yourself to do something outside of your constant and consuming and creative box of motherhood. Do something to help yourself SEE the wonderment of how great motherhood is.

And by all means, make sure you write it down as you go! If you’re someone who doesn’t need the reminder, “I can do hard / different things,” write it down to give yourself a double shot of affirmation that YEOW, I DID IT! :)

A simple shift of the mind is SO empowering to me as a mama! Can you relate?

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8 Comments
Filed Under: inspiration, mamahood

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Comments

  1. Sierra says

    May 1, 2018 at 7:12 am

    This is so great. I’ve started making a list of creative things I’d like to do that are attainable. That way when I have the time, I don’t have to wonder, now what do I like to do again? Haha! Also, placing value on the things that make me feel human has helped a lot. Sometimes leaving the laundry pile and eating leftovers is what needs to happen so I can do something I love – makes me a better wife and mom.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 3, 2018 at 8:59 am

      I’m so glad you shared all of this ~ I totally agree! I’ve started planning much simpler meals for dinner 1-2x/week, just so we can have an easier evening routine. Things like “picnic lunches” for dinner are a huge help! What are some things you like to place on your “makes me feel like a human” list? xx

      Reply
      • Sierra says

        May 4, 2018 at 8:54 am

        Picnic lunches, or dinners too ;) are the best. It varies, but some things on my list have been paint a sign, make a windchime out of tin cans, read on the porch, make a card for someone, call a friend or paint my nails. Some standing things I try to do every day is my quiet time and either yoga or a walk if the weather is nice.

        Reply
        • Maggie Whitley says

          May 4, 2018 at 8:57 am

          …a tin can windchime??? OH I LOVE THAT IDEA! I want to make one!

          Reply
          • Sierra says

            May 4, 2018 at 9:40 am

            Yep! We’re on a tight budget so I try to make myself come up with free creative things. I saw it on Pinterest. You use an embroidery hoop and hang the tin cans from it. I’ve washed all my cans and working on painting them happy colors. Hopefully it turns out cute!

            Reply
  2. Jennifer Camplin says

    May 1, 2018 at 11:40 am

    Yeah, always something would love to do.
    Make list and finish one at a time. to next.

    Reply
    • Maggie Whitley says

      May 3, 2018 at 8:59 am

      You got it! ;)

      Reply

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  1. The colors of motherhood. - Maggie Whitley Designs says:
    November 5, 2019 at 7:01 am

    […] PS. from the MWD archives: 10 easy ways to grant yourself the gift of self-care, and a simple shift of the mind […]

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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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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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