Season 6 of our podcast was all about self-care, and ultimately self-care is nourishing ourselves. Not in a vacuum, but with the goal of being sturdier, steadier, and softer in our care for our people and our homes. Nourishing is another way to do this. When we nourish ourselves, we can better nourish others. As we grow, we can grow others. But sometimes that can feel a bit nebulous. It’s a nice idea, but nice ideas need a structure and a plan. They need to be intentional and purposed if they’re going to turn into habits that serve us and our people. The 1 hour each of Consuming, Creating, and Exercise gives us some meat on the bones of nourishment. It gives us a benchmark and some goals.

Lofty goals and expectations are good for us. It’s important to be diligent and to stretch ourselves. But it’s also important to correctly judge the type of work we’re called to. Our domestic arts are very cyclical and continuous. They don’t stop because we’re in the business of tending souls through ordinary things like cooking, cleaning, and laundry.

I love our group because I try to include both the practical and the attitude sides so that we’re encouraged to love what we do. I write because writing is how I process. I would not be where I’m at in my homemaking today without the writing. It focuses my thoughts, forces me to be purposed, and has helped me see areas I still need to grow. It also gives me space to think through things and then ask all of you what you think about them. This gives me some checks and balances, helps me see struggles, and be realistic.