I’m Back! + How I’m Choosing Joy
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I’m Back! + How I’m Choosing Joy
Oh hey! Totally forgot I was a blogger there for a second… did ya miss me? Sorry for being slightly M.I.A. recently, but there’s this thing called “life” and sometimes it can get crazy busy! You’ve been there before, right?! With the end of another school year wrapping up, I have been oh so busy!
Recently, I have been noticing that I have been more joyful and at peace than my typical self. For a while I was just assuming that the warm, sunny weather was bringing me back to life, but as I thought about this more and more, I realized that I have also been choosing to be more joyful in my daily life! I wanted to share some of the little advice I have on being more joyful on a day to day basis in the hopes of encouraging you as well!
As I have shared on here before, my anxiety stems from worrying about the future – whether it’s what we have going on the next day or worrying about where we will be 5 years from now. I have been in deep prayer for a while about this part of my anxiety because it can be crippling, dark and depressing. When I find myself worrying about what’s NEXT, I literally can not enjoy the NOW.
God has worked a wonder in my heart and for the past couple of months, I have felt so much more peace and joy than I typically do and have been enjoying the NOW so much more than before. I know this will not always be the case. I know that there will be ups and downs, but I feel more equipped to have more ways to CHOOSE joy, rather than let my anxieties take over me and my thoughts. Because of this recent joy, I’ve been observing and analyzing (shocker, I know) what I’ve been doing differently in my own life that has helped with this joy.
How I am Choosing Joy
- Prayer: Then some more prayer. And then after that you just pray even more! But in all seriousness, I have been much more intentional with my prayer life. For so long, I would always get myself caught up in the fact that the only time to pray is when you have a long block of quiet time all by yourself. Yes, this is an ideal way to be in more intimate prayer with God, but there are also so many other opportunities as well. One thing I have been doing is just saying smaller prayers frequently throughout my day and not just asking God for things but THANKING Him and telling him how much I love Him. When you’re in the car by yourself is another good time to just talk to God in a quiet moment.
- Recognizing the Good: When I worry about the future and what’s next, it becomes so hard to recognize all that is good in my life and there is SO much! This looks different for everyone, but is so freeing when you focus on what you DO have instead of what you do NOT. Part 2 to this is to stop comparing yourself and your life to others and what they have because GUESS WHAT, even that lady with the perfect kids, handsome husband, beautiful house, great job and Range Rover has her own struggles too!
- Staying in Community: This one is tricky for me. I love being around people, but every once in a while I become a total hermit and just hang out at home with Cody and the dogs for weeks and weeks. As much as I love time with my husband and my two fur children, this is not healthy! For anyone! I’ve been making a huge effort to reach out to my friends more and ACTUALLY SET A TIME TO SEE EACH OTHER. I so often fall into the trap of texting a friend and doing that whole ‘we should get together soon!’ and then literally not following up at all. I’ve been using my Google calendar to it’s fullest by actually making a set time to see a girlfriend or meet up with another couple!
- Keeping Busy: Last Summer when I decided not to work since we had just gotten married and it was my first year of teaching was a terrible decision for me. My anxiety had never been worse due to having WAY too busy time on my hands. I know some of you may be thinking “is she crazy? I’d love to have a day to myself!”, but trust me, it is not as glamorous or enjoyable as it sounds. I had so much time to myself, alone with my thought and was like a little chihuahua when Cody got home from work each day wanting to do something. This year and this Summer I have been keeping myself busy and it has brought me a lot of joy! I have some exciting news for what will be keeping me busy this Summer (no, I’m not pregnant 🙂 ), that I will share with you as soon as I’m officially allowed!
Thanks again for being patient as I took some time off! I hope this encouraged you in some way or another and at the least bit, reminded you to turn to Christ and rely on His gracious love in all that you do.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15
XO,
HILLARY