February 12, 2021May 19, 2021 by Libby

5 Thoughts

1. ON LIKING WINTER

I used to feel like I really didn’t like winter – mainly because a lot of things feel like more of a hassle. The days are shorter and colder, so it’s harder to get outside. Driving, walking around – any form of heading outside – feels like more of an effort. If you live in the north, you know exactly what I’m talking about. That being said, this year I’m realizing that there are actually a lot of things I do like about winter. This winter, I’ve been especially enjoying the slower pace to life and the darker, cozier evenings where I get into my pajamas early (which I am known to do any time in the afternoon when I know I’m not leaving the house again, lol – anyone else??) and we can enjoy a slower dinner and time for reading, hanging out, or watching a show.

While it can feel harder to get going with runs/walks outside in the cold, I love the peacefulness/quiet feel of the snow and colder mornings. The sunrises and sunsets have also been beautiful lately.

I’m also looking for new (to me) ways to enjoy the winter weather rather than seeing it as an annoyance/obstacle. I recently got snow shoes and went snow shoeing for the first time. It was so much fun!! We have this huge field with trails only about 5 mins away which is perfect for snow shoeing or cross country skiing in the winter.

2. ON CONNECTION LATELY

At the beginning of the pandemic went everything felt so (especially) disorienting, I felt like it was a bit easier for me to make more of an effort to reach out to friends. However, as time has gone on, I have gotten more and more used to being by myself most of the time and being in my introvert bubble (which is nice/relaxing at times and anxious/overwhelming at others). As someone who naturally derives energy from being by myself, when a lot of my days don’t involve much social interaction beyond time with Alec in the evenings, it has felt lately (at least in my mind) like it takes even more effort to reach out to people. SO, that being said, I am making a more intentional effort than usual to reach out to friends because A) it is important for my mental and emotional health B) I value my friendships and want to keep investing in existing friendships/building new ones and C) even if it feels like it is going to take effort to reach out/connect I can trust that the benefits of connection will be worth it!

3. ON SAME OLD BREAKFAST

I have eaten the same breakfast practically every day for at least the past year (except for the occasional pancakes with nut butter/fruit or very rare other exception such as a holiday or going out to eat). I tend to be quite the creature of habit when it comes to breakfast but am the exact opposite with lunch/dinner! I think I like the same combo for breakfast because it’s easy in the morning/I don’t have to think about it, it’s delicious, and it sits well with me. While oatmeal/almond butter/fruit has been my breakfast of choice for probably more like 10 years (and not changing any time soon!) lately I have been into overnight oats as I love not having to cook anything when I wake up!

Each night, I mix together:

1/2 cup oats
~ 1 tbsp chia seeds
Generous sprinkle of cinnamon
3/4 cup almond milk
~2 tbsp plain yogurt

Let sit overnight! Then in the morning my breakfast is basically good-to-go. I like to add either flax seeds or sesame seeds, a hefty spoonful of almond butter, and fruit. Lately I have been loving Costco’s organic frozen strawberries/blueberries that I put in the microwave for 2 mins. Delish!

4. ON READING LATELY

I read a lot more books last year (averaging ~2 per month) and want to keep up the reading this year! My favorite thing to do before bed or in the evenings is to wind down with a good book. Currently reading: Spiritual Rhythm: Being with Jesus Every Season of Your Soul and 1984.

Other books I am looking forward to reading soon:

5. ON SCHEDULES AND TIME

One way I am seeking to grow is not having such a rigid/inflexible view of time. This is something I tend to struggle a lot with. I tend to stress about changes to my schedule, feel anxious about how I am going to get “everything” done, and put myself in boxes about how I can/”should” spend my time. I am trying to grow in seeing time and plans as more fluid – I can make plans and goals for each day/week, but ultimately I am not in full control of my time by any means and at times more important things such as being present to the emotional needs of myself and others come up and need to take precedence over my “plans.” Much easier (to me) said than done!

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