Ways I Lower My Stress
I used to think stress was unavoidable.
Part of adulthood.
Part of motherhood.
Part of widowhood.
Part of rebuilding.
Life felt heavy, so of course I felt stressed.
But over time, God helped me see something I hadn’t noticed before.
Some stress was inevitable.
But much of it was self-imposed.
Not intentionally. Not foolishly. Just habitually.
I had been living as though everything was urgent. Everything mattered equally. Everything required my immediate attention.
And that way of living was exhausting.
Slowly, I began building simple rhythms that lowered the noise — not by controlling life, but by creating margin.
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Ways I Steady My Mornings
There was a time when my mornings began in urgency.
My eyes would open and my mind would immediately start racing — responsibilities, worries, decisions, what-ifs. It felt like I was already behind before my feet even hit the floor.
But somewhere along the way, I realized I didn’t want to live like that anymore.
Now I try to begin my mornings with intention.
Not perfectly.
Not rigidly.
But gently.
I don’t rush into my day anymore. I steady myself first.
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This post begins a new series I’m calling Simple Rhythms — small, sustainable habits that have helped me move from survival mode into steadier, more peaceful living. None of them are dramatic. But together, they’ve changed the way I experience my days.
Things That Help Me Sleep Better
Sleep hasn’t always come easily for me.
There were seasons after Jon passed when I would fall asleep quickly, only to wake at midnight with my mind racing. The house would be quiet, but my thoughts were loud. Fear often feels louder at night.
Over time — slowly and imperfectly — I’ve learned that good sleep doesn’t start at bedtime. It starts much earlier in the day.
Here are a few simple rhythms that have helped me sleep more deeply.
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Valentine’s Day is tomorrow. And if you’re grieving, it can feel like a slap in the face. The cards. The chocolate. The flowers. Romantic movies. Couples celebrating each other. Everywhere you look, you are reminded of love, and the person you no longer have beside you. He’s not there to take you to dinner or give you flowers. She’s not handing you a card with a silly inside joke, just for you.
It’s hard to be reminded of what we’ve lost.
It’s painful to no longer receive the love that once felt so steady and secure.
You still love them deeply, but that love is no longer expressed in the same way.
This was so hard for me. I deeply loved Jon, and I missed him terribly. He was so good at telling me what he loved and valued about me on a regular basis, not just Valentine’s Day. He’d write me notes or call me from work and speak words of affirmation that strengthened my heart. Then suddenly, those words were gone.
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This year began very differently than I expected.
On January 1st, my daughter threw me a surprise 50th birthday party. It was so much fun, full of laughter, and such a gift. I’ve been counting down the days to turning 50, genuinely excited to celebrate this milestone.
Just two and a half weeks later, I found myself in the ER with excruciating back pain.
Let’s rewind a bit.
I’ve dealt with lower back issues on and off for years. When they flare up, I usually know what to do—ice, essential oils, a few chiropractic visits—and before long, I’m back to normal. But sometime in May, something changed.
At first, it was just an annoyance. A little discomfort that I assumed would resolve itself like it always had. I continued icing and seeing my chiropractor, but I didn’t slow down much else. Instead of improving, it steadily worsened.
