A Simpler Motherhood

Prep for Fall: Empty the Kitchen

As hard as it is it admit, fall is coming and there is nothing we can do about it. While it looms ahead of us, let’s prepare for the beginning of this new season and all that comes with school and routines and (possibly) a fuller calendar. Today we are going to prep for fall and begin with how to Empty the Kitchen.

The past month and a half our family has been emptying the pantry and freezer. While summer usually lends itself to a lot of grilling, we have been opting for roasts in the crock pot and bacon in the oven. Using up what we have has been a priority as we prepare for harvest season: produce to freeze and can and fresh meat from local farmers. Before school begins, before we stock up, it’s time to empty the kitchen. Let’s use up what we have to prep for fall.

Empty the Kitchen

Step 1: Throw stuff out.

Food waste is prevalent and also annoying. It’s inevitable there is something expired or not edible in your fridge, freezer, or pantry. Do a quick look through and throw out anything past its prime. Hopefully this won’t take much time and there won’t be much in the trash. But if there is, give yourself grace and let this be your motivation to not let this happen to the rest of the food in your house.

Step 2: Take inventory.

Let’s peek inside our fridge, freezer, and pantry to take inventory of what we have. We can’t use it up if we are clueless what’s hiding behind the leftovers. Go through each space and pull things in sight that need to be used up. Take note of any meals to make with the items in those spaces.

For example, as I have been trying to empty our kitchen, I noticed a few racks of ribs in the freezer and baked beans in the pantry. Last week we had just that for dinner along with some cucumbers from the garden. I also noticed we had some roasts and homemade beef broth in the freezer. Even though it’s summer, there will be roast at dinnertime.

When we know what we have, we can use what we have.

Step 3: Meal plan

If you’re like me, meal plans ebb and flow depending on the literal season of the year and the current season our family is living in. Whether our calendars are fuller or slower, whether we are spending more time riding bikes or on the soccer field, whether we are traveling or at home. Whatever season you’re in, find a meal plan strategy that works for you. Use the inventory you found in your spaces to make a plan for the next week or two. Maybe you have so many leftovers you need to do snack boards with leftovers for the next several nights. Lucky you, dinner check check check! Maybe you have random cuts of meat in your freezer that need used up. Or maybe you have a bunch of veggies on the verge and need to find some dishes to get them on plates and out of the fridge. Make a meal plan to use the things you have.

I’m competitive by nature and sometimes I like to make it a game to see how long I can go before I put in an order for grocery pick up. It’s silly, but it helps me be creative with the things already sitting in my fridge. See how long you can go without hitting up the grocery store. Pancakes absolutely count as dinner, friends.

Emptying the kitchen can be fun. It’s the perfect time to do it before we stock up for the second new year coming at us so very soon. Back to school is close. How will you Empty the Kitchen?

A Day in the Life

It’s easy to forget and it’s easy to remember. These words are so true for me. There are times I can’t remember what I ate last night for dinner and yet I have vivd memories from twenty years ago. Dear reader, you will probably read this and find nothing extraordinary. And that’s okay. My purpose in sharing A Day in the Life is quite selfish. I want to remember these sweet days at home with my babes. Days I will forever cherish and hopefully never forget. I also hope it will inspire you to find a small way to document an (extra)ordinary day in your own life.

A Day in the Life

5:45: Kevin’s alarm goes off. I wake up and do a Motivated workout outside while I watch the sun rise. I take my first walk of the day.

6:25: I weed and water the garden. It sure is looking pretty today.

7:00: I take a cold shower because a good friend is taking them and I thought I would try it. It was cold and I am awake.

7:15: The kids are up and I cuddle with them on the couch. It’s one of my favorite times of day.

7:45: As the kids do chores, I clean up the kitchen and help Luke pack for camp with his grandparents.

8:15: Although I’m not an accountant, I do our farm’s books. I head downstairs to do some work while the kids play. I get interrupted 5-10 times with random requests and complaints.

9:15: The kids and I head outside to look for monarch caterpillars with no luck. We watch Abel take a swim in the creek.

10:00: The kids let the chickens free range while I pull weeds in the garden.

10:20: The kids color while I make a meal plan for next week.

11:00: We eat lunch early. The menu consists of sandwiches, peppers, cucumbers, and cheese sticks.

11:30: The kids run outside to play while I clean the kitchen and fold laundry.

12:00: I head outside to hang with the kids and water the zinnias.

12:15: Luke and I go inside so he can finish packing. There is an argument between kids and we sit down to have a pow wow.

1:00: It’s time for reading lessons and screen time. Lily reads Little House on the Prairie to me while Luke reads to the boys.

1:30: While the kids do their screen time, I walk around the house with a repairman who will fix some storm damage.

1:45: The kids head to quiet time and I cuddle with Jack before his nap.

2:10: Kevin’s parents get here to take Luke to Cyclone camp. We say goodbye.

2:25: I work on a homeschool project for the first day of school and write out what my ideal day would look like when school is in session.

3:30: I get my second walk in for the day while the kids play outside.

4:15: We all have a popsicle break.

5:00: I am starting to work on being unplugged for a few hours during family time each night. I put my devices away as Kevin gets off work.

5:30: We take a family walk and Lily finds a monarch caterpillar.

6:00: Dinner is late tonight. I prep broccoli to be roasted and hot dogs and brats to be grilled.

6:45: We eat dinner then immediately do baths and brush teeth.

7:20: We watch the Tour de France recap as a family.

8:00: I read the Bible to the kids and Kevin prays for us.

8:10: The marathon begins of putting kids to bed. We read books with each of them and take some time to cuddle.

8:45: I tidy the house and make a list for tomorrow.

9:10: Kevin and I plop down on the couch and hang out a bit before bed.

10:00: Lights out for everyone.

It was fun to read last summer’s Day in the Life. These might be my favorite posts.

What can you do today to remember your current season?

What I’m Loving in July

We are in the heat of the summer. In the midwest, this month is for swimming holes, sunshine, and sweet corn. Here is What I’m Loving in July.

What I’m Loving in July

Family Bike Rides

Although most days are sweltering hot, I am loving family bike rides. Summer is a time when we have limited commitments so we can ride often. Our bike riding ritual is ride, eat burgers, ride, snack, ride, celebrate with ice cream. I could do this with my people everyday.

Natalie Bennett Youtube Channel

I have been watching Natalie Bennett on Youtube for awhile and her videos are both encouraging and inspiring. If you like decluttering and simple living inspiration, Natalie is your girl. Her family recently moved to their forever home and she has been vlogging about remodels and their garden. I love small peeks into how other mommas are living intentionally and Natalie’s channel gives me just that.

Aerie offline bike shorts

So many people have been praising these shorts. After realizing I could use a pair of black bike shorts, I decided to pull the trigger and purchase the Aerie offline bike shorts. They are the most comfortable shorts and I find myself reaching for them whenever they are clean.

Using what we have in the freezer

We are lucky to have access to farms that raise both cattle and hogs close by, so we fill our freezer with beef and pork about every six months. Right now we are due and I’m trying to feed my family all the meat left before we get a refill. Random cuts of meat are what’s on the menu right now.

Planning for a gentle start to school

We begin our homeschool next week. I’m both dragging my feet and excited. I’ve learned the past few years that a gentle start works well for our family. I add one activity or subject at a time until we have built up to doing allll the things. This year I’m going to begin with morning basket for the first week and maybe a little math. We will add things when I feel everyone is ready. A gentle start helps us ease into the school year and gives us something to look forward to as we add in new things.

That’s a wrap for What I’m Loving in July. What are you loving this month?

5 Lazy Things for Summer

You might have read the title of this post and rolled your eyes or subconsciously passed some judgement. And that’s okay. But before you stop reading, hear me out. I believe laziness now can equate to productiveness later. Our bodies, brains, and souls need rest and I believe there is no better time than summer for it. Here are 5 Lazy Things for Summer.

5 Lazy Things for Summer

Do something you {really} enjoy.

I’m not talking about what your kids enjoy or what your family enjoys. What is something you enjoy? What is something that makes you feel like you? Make time, guilt free, for it this summer.

As many of you know, this is the year of walking for me. I enjoy it and I don’t do it for anyone else. It’s just for me. Walking takes time, so there have been some things I have been unable to get to because I am prioritizing my daily walks. Our garden isn’t picture perfect. The house isn’t dusted as often. And that’s all okay. We have this one beautiful life. Let’s enjoy it.

Lounge outside.

If you live somewhere with cold temps in the winter, you know sunny, warm days are limited. Let’s take time to savor them. Take time to lounge outside watching the kids play, reading a book, or just simply enjoying the surroundings. 42% of the U.S. population is Vitamin D deficient. It doesn’t have to be that way in the summer. Getting outside has so many great benefits, so let’s make it happen this summer.

Snack Trays for Dinner.

We love a good snack tray around here for dinner. And in the summer, snack trays save my life. Crackers, cut fruit and veggies, cheese, sliced sausages or deli meat. These are the things I place on a cutting board for my people to eat during those just-got-back-from-the-swimming-hole evenings. We do not have to turn on the oven, grill, or air fryer for a meal to count as dinner. Amen.

Delegate.

Summer is about freedom and whimsy and fun. It’s also a season when many little humans have more idle time. If your babes land in that boat and are old enough to scrub a dish, it’s time to delegate. Let’s delegate and teach our kids how to do the things we do. First and foremost, we are teaching the ones in our care how to be an actual person and second, we are taking something off our plate. This is winning, friends.

Let it go.

What is one thing driving you crazy this summer? The endless snacks? The never ending wet towels? Or is it the mess that never seems to get cleaned up? Either find a solution or let it go. Or maybe the solution is letting it go. Embrace that thing and maybe your summer will feel just a little bit lighter.

Laziness doesn’t have to look, well, lazy. What is one lazy thing you can do now to make room to be productive later?

What I’m Loving in June

Summer is officially here, like today. This new season is full of all things outdoors and I couldn’t love it more. Here is What I’m Loving in June.

What I’m Loving in June

Quarry Days

Our local swimming hole is finally warm enough for swimming and we have been taking full advantage. My kids are old enough now where I can sit in a chair on the beach and watch. It’s so dreamy to watch these little humans swim and paddle and play. I’m loving this in June, but I know I will be loving this all summer long.

A Roll of Ritz

If you’re a mom, you know mealtimes are different in summer than the rest of the year. Instead of fighting hard against this, I am choosing to embrace it this year. When we are still swimming and it’s dinner time, Ritz crackers, some cheese and sausage, and fresh fruit is what’s for dinner. It’s not fancy and not our typical dinner, but we want to soak up all the sunshine we can. And sometimes that means Ritz for dinner.

Walking and Watering

I am still walking everyday and it’s still a gift. My walking rhythm has shifted and I now do most of my walk in the morning before it gets too hot. I then take a few minutes to water our garden. The peaceful mornings have been life giving for me.

Summersalt Swim

I have two Summersalt swim suits and they are my absolute favorite. I wear them on repeat all summer and never get tired of them. They are comfortable and I feel like a mom who actually thought about what she put on her body.

Strawberry Salad

My friend made an incredible strawberry salad for Cooking Club this month and I have been loving it for a quick and healthy lunch or dinner. Mixed greens, sliced strawberries, grilled chicken, goat cheese, and poppyseed dressing. This salad is perfection and tastes like summer.

There is much to love this month. What are you loving in June?

Celebrate the Dads

When I was a little girl, my dad was my hero. I remember thinking of him as bigger than life. My dad worked hard for our family: in his career as a social worker, reffing and umping games, and teaching classes on the weekends to be sure we had everything we needed. My dad was my coach, the one who took me to the YMCA multiple times a week so I could practice my dribbling and shooting. If you asked me then why my dad was my hero I would have told you it’s because he was the biggest, best dad in the world and he taught me everything I know about sports (which was a pretty big deal in elementary school). As I reminisce about my childhood, I remember sitting on my Dad’s lap and feeling like it was the safest place in the world.

Fast forward to today. I get to bear witness to another great Dad. This one is the father to my children. The one whom I get to do life with. He is the kind of Dad who makes big breakfasts in the morning: eggs and sausages and waffles. On Sunday evenings he is in the grass playing soccer with our kids, helping them understand how to win and lose. He takes time to have real conversations with each of our babes, talking to them about Star Wars or baby animals or soccer or trains or Teslas. Kevin is the constant calm in our family. (I have so much to learn from him.) I get to see the Dad to my kids do the hard work of raising them: being firm with consequences, showing grace for mistakes, and asking for forgiveness when he needs to.

Celebrate the Dads

Dads Matter

I tell you about two of the Dads in my life because they matter. My Dad mattered to my childhood and still shows me love and grace today. The Dad to my kids is helping to raise the next generation and is an incredible example of a strong, loving father. Let’s celebrate the Dads because their impact on our world is great and they are doing incredibly important work in our homes each and every day. Let’s Celebrate the Dads.

5 Ways to Celebrate Dads

Show Dad appreciation.

Everyone wants to know they are appreciated. Dads, too. Let’s show Dad he is appreciated by communicating gratitude. Whether in the form of a card, note, poem, song, or simply a ‘Thanks, Dad’. Gratitude is never wasted and showing the Dad in your life he is appreciated will remind him why he does what he does every single day.

Show Dad his value.

The garden beds that took Dad an entire weekend to build. The 9-5 day job he works to support his family. Dad’s never ending energy when it comes to wrestling with the kids or kicking the soccer ball or giving piggy back rides. The way he speaks life over the family at the dinner table, in the car, or playing a board game. The Dad jokes and puns that seem to be endless. How he gives of himself day in and day out to love his family well.

Dads bring immense value to our families. Point out the everyday things Dad does to make a difference. Kids can draw a picture depicting their favorite thing to do with Dad. Moms can write a note pointing out the extraordinary traits that make him a good Dad. Grown daughters and sons can tell their Dad the value he has added to their life in a conversation or in the form of a letter. Dads are valuable: let’s tell them.

Celebrate the Dads

Show Dad respect.

If you haven’t noticed, respect seems to be a big thing for Dads. They were created to long for it. Let’s show Dad respect by taking time to listen to his words (when he actually talks). Let’s take a minute when he leaves for the day or when he comes home and acknowledge him with a kiss or a hug. When Dad has a request, let’s try and honor it. Let’s do our best to avoid complaining and using sarcasm when we are having a discussion. For an extra special treat on Father’s Day, let’s actually laugh at his jokes. Respect is high on the list for what Dads want for Father’s Day, even if they don’t know it.

Celebrate the Dads

Show Dad care.

Even Dads like to be taken care of every once in awhile. Every Dad is different, so take some time to think about what would make the Dad in your life feel cared for. Is it an afternoon to play golf or time to go on a bike ride? Maybe it’s just asking: What can I do for you today? It could be as simple as making his favorite meal, dressing up, and putting flowers on the table. Think about what makes the Dad in your life feel cared for and make it happen.

Show Dad love.

This is the easiest way to Celebrate Dads. Let’s show Dad some love this Father’s Day. A love note is a good place to start along with hugs, kisses, and cuddles. Maybe give him space and time for his hobby without complaining. Line up a babysitter and surprise him with a date night. Gift him with the fancy BBQ sauce or golf club or tool he has been wanting for some time. Simply tell him you love him. Let’s show Dad we love him in a big way this Father’s Day.

Celebrate the Dads

Let’s Celebrate the Dads this Father’s Day. Tell me: how will you celebrate the Dad in your life?

An Intentional Summer

We’ve all heard this before. 18 Summers. We get 18 poolside, popsicle eating, sunshiny summers with our babes. 18 summers of library trips, baseball games, staying up late to catch fireflies, pink cheeks, and fireworks in an inky sky. While you and I know 18 Summers is the reality, many times it’s hard to live there. It’s hard to live there (even when we have prepped for it) when we are fixing snacks for what feels like the 100th time in a day or saying no to screen time or listening to siblings quarrel. I know because I have lost sight of 18 Summers already this summer and we aren’t even a month in. But, perspectives can always be shifted and today I’m sharing my hope for An Intentional Summer.

An Intentional Summer

Intentionality helps us live the life we want and be the people we want to be. Being intentional with how we spend our resources, what we focus on, and how we love people matters. Annie Dillard said it best: How we spend our days is of course how we spend our lives.

This summer let’s be intentional with our greatest resource: our time. Our hours and days are numbered with each of our kiddos.

Let’s start with a powerful exercise. List each of your kids on a sheet of paper or in your notes app and next to their name write how many summers you have with them before they leave the nest. You can see mine below.

Luke – 10

Lily – 12

Jude – 14

Jack – 17

My heart could barely handle this. I only have 10 summers left with all my babies at home. Jesus be near.

Now that we have some perspective, let’s take some time and think through what is important and how we can sharpen our focus on that this summer.

Word of the Summer

I’m sure you have heard many people talk about their word for the year. At the start of a new year, many people choose a word instead of setting goals. Grace or Love or Intentional or Hustle or Give. I want to take that same idea and implement it into setting the intent for this summer.

Think and pray through what you want this summer to look and feel like with your kids. Choose a word that reflects those things. Maybe it’s Savor because you have babies in your arms and you want to savor this incredibly hard and beautiful summer with your littles. Maybe it’s Connect because you have more time with your kids in the summer and want to connect with them. Or maybe it’s Prepare because your kids are getting more independent by the minute and you need to prepare them and you for more independence.

Take some time and choose a Word of the Summer.

My Word

The word I have chosen for this summer is Align. Align means to support and come together in agreement. This past spring was fuller then normal for our family. And when things get busy, some things fall away and get out of alignment out of necessity. I want to make time to Align with both my kids and my husband this summer. Align our values, goals, parenting style, rhythms, and family time.

What does it mean?

Now that we have chosen a word of the summer, it’s time to determine what it means. I’m a list kind of a girl, so let’s make a list of some practical things we can do to make that word a priority this summer. For example, if your word is Connect your list could look something like:

Spend 10 minutes of one on one time with each kid everyday

Take each child on a date 2 times this summer

Find out what interests each child and do it with them

Make a list of practical ways you can implement your word this summer.

What does it mean for me?

I’ve come up with 3 practical ways I want to Align with my family this summer.

Discuss parenting wins and learnings during Kevin and I’s weekly Sunday meeting.

Continue and increase our read aloud time through the summer to foster more common experiences.

Make a ‘bucket list’ of items my kids want to do together this summer.

An Intentional Summer

I wish I could tell you this was the magic bullet to an epic, quarrel free, magical, intentional summer. That, my friend, would be a false promise. However, whenever we think through and are intentional with pieces of our lives, our lives are filled with more of what we want and less of what we don’t. We are living the life we actually want instead of one that’s being thrown at us day after day.

My hope is taking 15-20 minutes to think and pray through the kind of summer we want will pay dividends the next several months. I will keep you updated as our family moves through our own intentional summer.

What I’m Loving in May

There is no way around it: May is full of possibility. It’s new life and colorful blooms and the anticipation of a summer of adventure. Here is What I’m Loving in May.

What I’m Loving in May

Time with My Girl

This has to be first on my list. Many of you know my daughter and I tagged along on one of my husband’s work trips this month. It couldn’t have been lovelier. The one on one time with Lily was precious and I am so glad we had the opportunity to do it. The highlights were mango strawberry lemonades by the pool and people watching. One day at the pool Lily said: ‘Watching people having fun makes me happy, Momma.’ A girl after my own heart. I will forever treasure that time with my girl.

The Chickens’ New Home

Praise Jesus the chickens are outside in their permanent home. While the kids loved having the brooder inside, I did not. They are currently clucking away in their coop and run and happy as can be. The chickens are much cuter outside. Now to wait for eggs.

The Beginning of Summer

We wrapped up our homeschool year this month and I am savoring the beginning of summer. The freedom, the playdates, the garden, the sunshine, the bike rides. Give me all of it. We are slowly getting into a summer rhythm and I’m excited about all the adventures we will have together these next several weeks.

Tanks in My Colors

This month I picked up a few new tanks from Target in my ‘colors’ and I have been wearing them on repeat. Last spring I had a color analysis done and I’m a ‘fall’. Target had a few summery tanks in burnt brown and gray. If you haven’t had your colors done and are local, I highly recommend checking out Seasons of Colors Omaha. My friend, Amanda, will change your world in the best way and give you such confidence on what you put on your body.

Easy Breezy Meals

While May has been lovely, it has also been full. Soccer and programs and celebrations. With each season comes a slightly different way I meal plan. This month requires flexibility and simplicity. We have done a lot of crock pot meals and snack trays. I have a feeling this type of meal plan will roll with us right into summer.

In the past I have fought hard to keep our ‘school year’ dinner rhythm, but this summer I want to bend with what our family needs. We want to be soaking up the sunshine and fun and dinner will look a bit different because life just looks different in the summer. Brats and veggies on the grill, snack trays, or heading to our favorite local spot after a family bike ride is what most of our summer dinners will consist of. And I’m a-okay with that.

There is so much to love about this month. What are you loving in May?

Prep for Summer

We are in the thick of May. It’s hard to look past tomorrow, let alone the next few months. However, summer will be here before we can say popsicle and doing a little mental prep now will help us be ready for those sweet summer days. Here are a few things we can do to Prep for Summer.

Prep for Summer

The Perfect Day

We are imperfect people living with other imperfect people. The Perfect Day might seen unattainable (and probably is). However, there are some pretty dang good days. You know the ones. The days you plop in bed with an exhausted body and a full heart.

I think it’s valuable to think through how we want a typical, ‘perfect’ summer day to look. As moms, we get to determine the rhythm and flow of our days. While summer’s rhythms and routines are looser and different than other times of year, it can be helpful to determine and sketch our perfect day. If we are intentional, we can make these summer days what our families need and want. In fact, summer is the perfect time to create lovely days and long lasting memories with our kids.

So what does your perfect day look like? Slow mornings, pool afternoons? Playdates with friends certain days of the week? Library time? Screen time boundaries? Chores completed? No one asking what’s for dinner?

You may roll your eyes, but grab an old fashioned pad of paper and pen and write down what you want a typical day to look like. I did this recently and here’s what I came up with:

Our Perfect Day

Kevin serves Breakfast

Essentials Checklist: Chores, 15 Minutes of reading, 2 pages of math

Outside playtime/Playdates/Errands/Crafts/Library

Picnic Lunch (no kitchen clean up, please and thank you)

Reading Lessons & Screen Time

Quiet Time & Quarry (our swimming hole)

Dinner Prep

Our days won’t always look like this, but I will do my best to make sure many do.

Screen Time Boundaries

Before summer gets here, I think it’s worthwhile to have screen time boundaries in place. If your kids are anything like my kids, when normal rhythms go out the window, they can sometimes lean towards asking for screen time. And if you’re anything like me, you don’t want to be asked 20 times in an hour when they can use technology.

Let’s put some screen time boundaries in place. For our family, that looks like screen time after lunch and reading lessons each day. It also looks like them asking before they can look up something or play music on their iPad, which my nine year old has been really into lately. I’m also working on putting their iPads in an inconvenient place for them, so it’s not as easily accessible.

The first week of summer break is a good time to introduce or review screen time boundaries. Let’s be proactive with this. Screen time is a part of our kids’ lives and having boundaries in place will save our sanity and their brains.

Snacks

Feeding kids takes up half the summer. Amen. Deciding how we want to tackle snacks now limits moments of frustration later. Will kids be able to get snacks whenever they like? Will there be a special snack cabinet? Are snacks limited? I’m not sure why we need to think so much about this, but we just do. If you’ve been a mom in the summer, you know it’s true.

For our family, we don’t do many snacks, unless we are out and about. I will keep our snack cabinet stocked so we can grab what we need on our way out the door to playdates, the park, the quarry, or zoo. Knowing how I want snacks to be handled during the day and my kids understanding the expectations makes our days run smoother.

Speaking of snacks, let’s stock up on those items now so we won’t be in a bind when we are heading off to the zoo with friends. You know they won’t go to waste.

Gather Supplies

Summer requires different supplies and tools. Sunscreen, bathing suits, s’more ingredients, a sprinkler, snacks, towels, outside gear, crafting bits and pieces. After mentally thinking through the perfect day and deciding about screen time and snacks, make a list of supplies needed to prep for summer. Then put in a Target or Wal-Mart order or head to Costco and gather the goods. Our summer days will be a lot more enjoyable both for us and our kids if we are prepared with the supplies we need.

Summer is a magical time. Lazy days and starry late nights. Pool afternoons with sun kissed faces. Popsicles and neighbor friends and sprinkler parties. Road trips and ice cream dates. Before these sun-shiny days are here, let’s prep for summer so we can savor and enjoy this season with our people. How will you Prep for Summer?

Why I Walk

I have walked almost everyday since January 1st of this year. If you hang out here much, you know I have a 12 month walking goal of 400 miles. And while I may or may not reach my goal, walking has proven to be incredibly life giving for me. Today I’m sharing Why I Walk.

Why I Walk

Growing up I was an athlete as long as I can remember. Running and jumping and shuffling is what my body has been trained to do ever since I was old enough to play an organized sport. While I still do those things for short durations during my early morning workouts, my body has transitioned to needing and craving more low impact movement. This is why I started walking, but I have slowly found many other reasons to walk.

The major reason I made a walking goal this year is because of the mental health benefits. It ensures I have 15-20 minutes everyday of alone time. The introvert in me craves solo time when most of the day is spent with my favorite little people. Currently I walk in the afternoons during quiet time. Walking allows me to recharge and reset for the rest of the day. This sacred 20 minutes helps clear my head so I’m able to take on the rest of the day in a good headspace. Walking makes me a better mom and a better wife. It gives me the mental break I need to finish the day strong.

I remember watching ‘old’ people walk as a young athlete and thinking that will never be me. Never say never. Here I am, in love with a mile stroll around our farm. While I don’t consider myself old, it is true my body is changing and this is one small way I stay physically and emotionally healthy. Most of us have heard all the benefits of walking countless times, but I’m going to recap them both to motivate myself and maybe some of you.

Benefits of Walking

Walking can reduce stress

The Anxiety and Depression Association of American sites walking just 10 minutes can relieve anxiety and depression and improve our mood. Exercise produces mood boosting endorphins, which help regulate our emotions. Walking absolutely can improve our mental health.

Walking improves sleep

Walking, especially outside, boosts the sleep hormone, melatonin. An early morning walk can be a bit more beneficial because it helps set our circadian rhythms to be more awake in the morning and sleepier at night.

Walking improves our health

This is a no brainer, but I thought I should mention it anyway. Walking is great for our cardiovascular health and can reduce the risk of heart disease. It lowers our resting heart rate and blood pressure.

Walking also improves our immune systems. One study of over 1,000 men and women showed those who walked 5 days a week for 20 minutes a day had 43% fewer sick days.

A Walking Goal

Beginning a walking habit doesn’t have to be daunting. In fact, habits become habits when we start small. Begin by simply walking for 5 minutes a day or walking around the block. When we begin small, we see and feel success and can build upon that success. I try to walk one mile a day, but sometimes it’s cut short to a half mile because someone needs me. But, simply getting out to walk each day is enough for me.

There is a chance I won’t reach my walking goal this year and that’s okay. So far it has done what I wanted it to do: it has gotten me outside to walk, which in turn has improved my mental and physical health. I am so grateful for my daily walk.

In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks. -John Muir