It’s been a year since I quit my job to pursue my family.  It’s been a year since I took a full month away from the blog.  It’s been a year since I took the words and made them into action.

The year of many changes.

There are no words (actually there are more words than I have time to write)…but rather a sense of fulfillment.  The calm of knowing that I’m right where I’m supposed to be.  And though each day brings it’s own headaches, I can’t imagine going back to that place of RACING through each day.

Here’s the post that announced my last break.  I’m planning to take another in August – not a full month, but maybe a couple of weeks.  Blogging isn’t as stressful these days.  Because life overall isn’t as stressful.

Maybe YOU need a season of NO.

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First, thank you for the AMAZING comments in regards to this post. If you haven’t read it, go back and do so – today’s post will make much more sense.

As my title alluded to, I am entering in to a season of NO*. Let me tell you – this has been a YEAR in the making. A year for the stress of all the activities and duties that I’ve taken on to come crashing down around me (multiple times). I’m finally to the point where I need to step away from a few things. I need a season of no.

I need to take ACTION against what I struggle with.

Because busyness does NOT equate to productivity.

Because God is literally MAKING me lie down in green pastures.

Because my family and I deserve more.

What does that mean? What does that look like?

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In this season, I’m saying NO! to….

  • Working at the gym for the month of July (training and subbing). <-this led to me stepping away completely
  • Blogging for the month of July (writing and, sadly, reading).
  • Theater shows for the Fall.
  • Anything else that takes me away from my first two callings – wife and mother.

I think everything on that list is pretty self-explanatory, but for today, I’ll address the blogging aspect as it kinda-sorta impacts my readers.

I need a break from the blog.

When I started this blog nearly two years ago, my life looked very different. I had the convenience of TWO NAPPING CHILDREN who gave me two full hours of alone time a day (I miss those days!). I wasn’t doing shows. I had just started teaching at the gym and had no clients. Basically, I had more time. And my focus was more home-centered.

Flash-forward to now. Henry no longer naps. Clara’s naps are shorter and some days she doesn’t sleep at all. I’m at the gym for at least two hours a day, training clients – usually three. I’m at the theater two hours at night. I have no time to sit down and write. And honestly, when I get time to myself, I don’t WANT to sit down and write. I want to read a book or my Bible or work on a house project.

Blogging (the act of writing) is something I LOVE! But everything that comes with it (reading other blogs, social media, self-promotion) …..I just don’t love that aspect anymore. Some days it feels like my phone is super-glued to my right hand. It’s simply not fair for the people around me to be “absent” while I’m “present” online.

For the month of July, I suppose I could blog sporadically or line up guest posts, but I don’t even want to give myself that option. If I did, I would just devote thoughts to blogging and right now, I simply do not want to think about it.

This isn’t goodbye necessarily (notice the month of July thing above), but I suppose it could be the start of goodbye. Who knows??

I’m taking a month to find out.

Catch you on the flip side**!

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QUESTION: What do you need to say NO to in your life right now??

splendid…lindsay

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11 Comments

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  1. I have been feeling this way so much lately. I like the idea of a season of no. I can’t say no to things that will provide me with income, or certain opportunities, but I can say no to a lot that I would normally say yes to. Anyway, lots of support on this idea! You nailed it!

  2. I’m relatively new to your blog, and I seriously enjoy reading your posts, but I have to say- you go, Mama! I’m glad you’re going with what’s best for you and your family during this season :-).

  3. I feel the same way as you…but sort of reversed. I don’t feel like I have as much to SAY anymore, though I do enjoy reading blogs, like yours, and interacting that way and on instagram, vs. writing myself. it comes in rare bursts when I want to write these days, weirdly. I like your approach though, it’s smart. take advantage of the time, of the NO. love.

  4. I need to say NO to debt. The hub and I had a long chat with love and respect yesterday.

    If we say YES to living simply for 74 days, our NO is a reality.

    It’s crazy exciting and we have to finalize the details…and pray, a lot! while being responsible to each other and our goals.

  5. I have enjoyed following you (eh, that sounds stalkerish)and reading your blog so much since becoming a mother. You should know that I adore your honesty and honestly, I think that’s what makes me like you SO much. You’re real. Even when real isn’t the in-thing. And I love that.

    I’ve learned to say ‘no’ more since I had Tytus.
    Yes, I still feel guilty EVERY TIME.
    But I’m learning my limit and if I say no to sex with my husband because I said yes to something that made me too tired or whatever…then I need to re-prioritize my ‘yes’ list.

    I need to add Track Stars to my yes list so I can have some Lindsay and Katy time!

    Love ya Linds!

  6. You’re so wise for recognizing that life’s gotten hectic, and then being intentional to let a few things go in order to focus on your family. I admittedly have a hard time doing that, because I want to do it all, all the time, even when I realize I can’t. With baby coming soon, the blog (and all that comes along with it) will have to take a backseat. I’m contemplating a ‘digital detox’ once a week, to help me get a little more balance.

  7. This was one of the first posts that I read on your site and what has kept me coming back! With becoming a mom to twins in my future I think I will have many things I may need to say ‘no’ to in the next week to 2 weeks, I pray nightly for the wisdom to recognize these things sooner than later. One may be the blog for a few weeks :) another may be housework for a few weeks…I just pray for wisdom to see what needs to be said ‘no’ to