The past few days have felt super strange for me.
I’m sure some of it is a spiritual unsettling but I think it more has to do with this question that keeps getting asked …
What’s next for you, Nicki?
I cringe, my heart races and I really have no words when I get that question. I don’t want to seem like this woman without a vision, a dream or a plan. But I also don’t want to miss what God is doing right here, right now.
And the truth is, releasing your first book and Bible study is HUGE.
But the aftermath of it can feel so emotional and I don’t know what’s next.
While I’m definitely not bored and there is always “something” to do here on this Fixer Upper Farm and hello, three kids … I’m finding my mental white space returning. Something I haven’t had in over a year.
This place where I have the capacity to dream, to think and to ponder that dreaded question … “What’s next?”
But this morning as I was praying, I felt this question pop in my soul …
Nicki, what does a perfect “everyday” look like for you?
See, I think we as a generation are great at asking ourselves the question of what do we want the BIG picture of our life to look like? And what’s the dream vacation or the dream job?
But what about these “everyday’s”?
Because there are more of them than there are of the “big dream” days.
And I’m finding these days are the ones that really count. They are the ones where life is built, relationships are developed and life becomes what you always wanted it to be.
So, I made a list of five things that I can do to help make my “everyday” a close-to-perfect day. And I thought I’d share them with you today and hope in the comment section here on the blog you’ll share yours with me.
- A revelation from God. There is nothing that will get my juices going than from studying a passage and seeing something new or curious pop out at me. But this only happens when I make the space to get up early enough to have this time with God. If I wait until later in the day to study the Word, my brain tends to be distracted. Sometimes listening to sermons or reading books on leadership can help with this process for me too!
- Something outside. The days I’m in an office or in the car too much can feel so depressing for me. I love to be outside. And if I’m outside with a purpose [other than working on my pale skin color!] it’s even better. This spring I’ve had the best time planting flowers and keeping them watered. I want to do a garden but um … did you read the chapter in the book about the garden fire? Taking walks outside has become almost a requirement for me each day.
- A [mostly] clean house. Making the beds, cleaning up the kitchen, doing a load of laundry and keeping those pillows ON THE COUCH [smile] are all things that make me feel like I’m moving in the right direction. But, we live on a farm. So dirt on the floor is gonna happen, the dog is going to get in the mud, the goats are going to eat the flowers and there’s going to be messes.
- Meaningful conversations. I have conversations throughout the day but a lot of them are what I call “constant conversations.” It’s those conversations about business, schedules and just answering questions. I find myself feeling super empty at the end of the day when I feel like all I’ve communicated is work and to-do’s. This takes effort on my part, especially after a long season of pulling away from so much to work on the book and Bible study. But those days where I’ve had a challenging conversation that’s made me think or help someone else, they are the best!
- Working on something creative. I need a lot of variety in my life. And when that creative bug gets pushed to the side, I find myself feeling unfulfilled. Taking pictures, creating graphics, working on a writing project, making little changes to our home … these are things that make me feel super alive.
What about you? What are a few things that help make your “everyday” a good day? Leave a comment here on the blog and let me know!
Congratulations to Mary Gay! You are the winner of the copy of 5 Habits of a Woman Who Doesn’t Quit!! I’ll be in touch.
15 Comments
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I’ve learned in the last eight years to make everyday count. Do I always remember this? No. But I’m trying. Spending time with God is first, them if I can spend time with friends, walking my dog, spending time with family, getting some crocheting in – that makes for a good day. But what really makes me happy is when I can take the time to sit outside in my swing with the sun shining. Love it!
Love it!
Oh Nicki! I love your list! In fact, I love it so much I am making it mine! I struggle with the everyday almost as much as I struggle with the Big Dreams! I finally (after years of pondering) have a Big Dream but the everyday gets so mundane and I find myself so easily pulled into a pit of “blah-ness”. Thank you so much for this inspiration this morning!!
I can’t wait to hear what’s on your list! 🙂 xoxo
Nicki, your 5 are almost spot on for me too! Just add in a cup of hot coffee to that early morning quite time and that’s a perfect day. I find that I can usually get 3/5 of these things to happen daily and some weeks I’ll hit all 5 a few times! Everyday is a blessing, but on those days I get my spirit fully refreshed I find I can be much more of a blessing to others! ❤️
This is so good Nicki.. we are always rushing to the next “thing” – and everyone’s thing is different.
I have a bunch of changes going on and it’s really hit me these last few weeks how much I need to work on ME – MY attitude, MY spiritual well-being, MY health (exercise for stress relief) and not look at what my loved ones and friends are doing that maybe “better, not right, not my way”, etc.
I keep waiting in anticipation for some consistent spring weather here in IL so I can get outside!! 🙂
I asked myself this week “what is it like to be on the other side of me” and I didn’t like the answer.
Hugs Nicki – can’t wait for the study to begin (Go group 1!!) 🙂
What a great thought! My “perfect” everyday would definitely include:
1) a cup of coffee (or two) ????
2) meaningful conversation with loved ones
3) a good word from the Lord whether through scripture or the wise teachings from other lovely women
4) keeping my house tidy- getting a load of laundry done, keeping the kitchen sink empty, organizing the kids toys
5) play time with my kids is a big one- I have 17 month old twins and this season of them being little is going so quickly so I’m trying to be more intentional about noticing the goodness in everyday and being thankful for this chance to be at home with them
I love this Nicki! Having four adult kids now, I find myself in a different place, a place of content in the every day. I wish I had that content feeling when I was in the throws of raising the kids! I feel content knowing God has my everyday…sounds simple, but every day has been a learning experience! It’s learning to know my trust in God is there that has made the difference! My perfect is HIM! Just whatever ounce of HIM I can absorb every single day puts a skip in my step, every day is different, and we are so NOT perfect….just knowing God loves my imperfect is what makes it easier to tackle the every day! My top 5…
1. Prayer/devotional time
2. Sunshine…Love some Vitamin D
3. Learning/guiding…it never ends with 4 kids!
4. Creative time…love to decorate
5. People…family/friends are my lifeline!
Nicki He will show you that next thing. I know it is going to be amazing.
Love your five things because they are things I love.
For me this morning, having a two-year old grandson on his belly in the floor right now makes my everyday.
Say WHAT!!?? Oh boy I can’t wait to bless someone with a copy!!
Love your list Nicki! I’m on a lunch break now and checking in so looks like I have some thinking to do. I most definitely need to work on living more for “today” than worrying so much about the big picture so much. Even though I have those goals that I fear failing I have some important things and people in front of me RIGHT NOW.
Hugs!!! ????
The perfect day for me is getting up early…like 5am early! Grabbing a great cup of coffee and getting into the word. I too, love a good revelation from God or a curious ponder around scripture? and then spending some time reflecting and writing. Whether writing for just me in a journal or for the blog, I love my morning creative outlet. Next on the list would be some quality time with good friends. Meaningful conversation that consists of more than just the busy to-do’s of our lives. Love it. Dream vacations and checking something of the bucket list is great at making a perfect day but realistically only happens once in a blue moon… I love focusing on a couple things I can do everyday that make it perfect! . 🙂 Great encouragement Nicki!
I am in a similar place but for a different reason. I’m retired for the 3rd time (hopefully I can figure it out this time around). :). I was told to keep busy or I’d become bored with retirement. So I did but it all ended up new careers. Now I’m home from being a snowbird out west. I have things to do around he house with it being spring, finishing Proverbs 31 first OB class and ready to start your class. But what to do long term??? I’m praying to God and asking, what does He want me to do? I liked your idea of making a list of what an perfect ‘everyday’ would look like. Love your posts.
Love this Nicki!!
My perfect day starts in the wee hours of the morning about 5:15 to be exact spending time in God’s Word. I have loved the P31Bible Study Class-it has generated lots of ah ha moments.This makes for a perfect day.
I love to make my husbands lunch before he goes to work and sit as we watch the news together. This makes a perfect day
Because I am physically challenged and my back has gotten much worse getting laundry washed, folded and put away makes me happy and a perfect day.
Calling my sister, Amy, my biological and more importantly spiritual sister makes my day-we pray together and love to share what is going on with our lives. This makes for a perfect day.
Being able to spend 2-4 hours serving in one of the several ministries I volunteer for makes a perfect day.
Making dinner for my sweet husband and discussing our day makes a perfect day.
Spending time outdoors helping my husband with a project, gardening, mowing or just walking with our 3 pups makes for a perfect day.
These are just a few things that make up a perfect day but honestly, every day that I wake up, know that I am chosen and loved by God is a perfect day.
I love your list – as a homeschooling mama, I appreciate the simplicity of it. Those are everyday joys for me as well … along with hugs from my teens and multiple cups of hot tea! God is so faithful – He brings joy in the midst of the mundane.
I love the fact that you start each day with God. I struggle with this because there’s always someone at home so I tend to wait until I’m alone. After reading your blog I’m going to set the alarm & get up before the others. Loved the blog.
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