I love the expression "turning over a new leaf."
History says this common phrase comes from the 16th-century practice of binding books. In those days, when you heard the words "turning over a new leaf," it meant you were beginning the assembly of a new chapter of a book.
What's your newest chapter this season? With summer's official ending this week, it's the perfect time to look at our (sometimes hectic) daily rhythms. What tiny changes could you make to your days for a significant impact? Here are five calming and comforting practices that I'm trying out this season.
1.Quit Rushing.
Here's a painfully obvious idea I've been learning lately -- If I allow more time to get someplace, I don't need to drive like my head is on fire. In fact, showing up with time to spare and a few minutes to luxuriate in the song on the radio or the quiet is a sweet luxury. I don't know why it took me so long to embrace this idea, but arriving early somewhere without adrenaline pumping through my face feels entirely lovely.
This week I had it with THAT DRAWER. You know the one that is overflowing and you have to cram everything back inside of it to find the one thing you need? This week I did some BUSINESS with that drawer. The next time I opened it felt like angels were celebrating in heaven. Not really, but it did invite a sense of order instead of irritated chaos. Spending five minutes to do business with the thing that had been bugging me added a kind little pocket of calm to my day.
3. Consider a New Fall Ritual.
This fall my husband asked me if I could share some of my favorite stretching exercises with him. I'm no instructor, but I know enough to share a few things. We started taking 10-15 minutes stretching together as a new morning ritual before the day gets underway. We don't get to it every morning, but we are making it an intention to connect and stretch together when we can. Adding in a new fall stretching ritual was a fun way to mix up our schedules and connect in a new way.
4. Study Something You're Curious About.
One homeschooling habit I loved was learning something new every season. Typically it was wrapped around a subject we were studying or a new academic interest. This fall, I decided to make a personal study with something I'm curious about. Nothing like a class, but with books from the library, podcasts, articles, or whatever comes my way. In the past, I've puttered my way through learning about health, nutrition, longevity, and fitness. This season I'm making my amateur study about learning more about investing, money relationships, and how to be a better financial steward. Thankfully there will be no exam at the end, but I love making a seasonal theme of personal study.
5. Set a Pretty Table.
Most nights, I'm embarrassed to admit we typically eat dinner with the TV or sports blaring. Even though I know better, when it comes to the end-of-day exhaustion, it's easy just to eat where it's easy. I decided to change all that by simply setting the table. This way it was clear to everyone what was about to happen. There was no decision. I even set out the pretty plates, cloth napkins, and some simple flowers from my yard. And you know what happened? We actually sat at the table and had a nice meal and good conversation. We don't always do this every night, but we've agreed to make it an ambition to enjoy a meal gathered together - at the table.
What about you?
What are some calming and comforting practices you'd like to enjoy this season? Whether it is something as simple as starting your day in quiet or as elaborate as picking up a new passion to study, consider what practices will allow you to flourish this fall season. These nourishing habits are the very things our hearts long for and invite us to wake up to all the goodness in our days.
For a Few Additional Calming Ideas -- here are two favorite posts about encouraging "calm" in our lives.
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