Hello Friends!!! I know things have been a little quiet over here on the blog for the last few months, and before I jump back in to regularly sharing on here, I wanted to share a “catch – up” post if you will. Picture it as I’m personally inviting you over for a cup of coffee, only virtually. You know the kind of catch up you do with a friend when you haven’t seen each other in a long time, and a coffee chat is long over due. Well today, you and I are going to have a sort of coffee chat – only it will be online, although I so wish you could be sitting in my living room with me, curled up on our white slip covered couch, with a giant cup of coffee. Or tea, or hot cocoa, or whatever you choose to sip on while we dive deep into conversation. I thought it would be fun to share some photos I’ve snapped around our house over the last month or so while we “chat”.
So go grab your favorite mug, and let’s have a chat!
I have never really taken a “blogging break” if we want to call it that, but as 2020 came to end, I found myself wanting to pause, be still, and dig a little deeper personally. I have never been one to pick a “word” for the year, or resolutions for that matter (I talked about that HERE), yet I found myself focusing on the word Intentional. It kept coming up in conversations, or times when I would be journaling. It felt like it was popping up everywhere. In articles I would read, podcasts I was listening too. I guess you could say it’s very similar to what happens when you are getting ready to buy a certain type of car. All of a sudden you see that car everywhere, and in the exact same color you are wanting to buy.
I found myself wanting to be more intentional in all aspects of my life. As a wife, as a mom, as a friend, and even with my blog. I just didn’t really know what that looked like. There have been some areas that I wanted to grow in with my blogging, and other opportunities I wanted to be able to provide, but I needed to take some time and really hone in what that looked like. After almost 10 years of blogging, I was feeling a shift in the content I wanted to share and what I really wanted my voice to be.
I’ve always been an encourager. And encouraging others to “Love the space they Live in” has always been my goal. But I found myself not only wanted to encourage others to love their home, but their lives as well. I also found myself wanting to step out into new ventures, but not fully sure what that looked like. But I knew, if I was going to stick with this for the long haul (which I plan too), I needed to be true to me, and less focused on what everybody else is doing. And in this social media driven world, sometimes it’s easy to get too focused on watching what everyone else is doing, we loose sight of what we were created to do.
I decided after the dust settled from the holidays, that I would spend the winter months “resting”, and that’s what I did. Not resting as in taking lots of naps, but doing things that gave me a sense of rest. No hustling, or striving. Creatively I felt drained. Right before the holidays I had finished writing book #2, and needed a moment to be still. And you know what I realized – that is exactly what winters are made for. It’s a time to slow down, pause, reflect, and do some inner work.
I took cues from nature. Knowing that there is a reason for every season. As I looked outside my kitchen window each morning, I noticed that even in nature, the plants outside were in a season of rest. Covered in a blanket of white snow, branches bare and seemingly lifeless – yet they were not dead – only resting. In fact it’s vital for plants to have a season of rest, so that there can be a season of growth. Sensing the growth that is coming for not only our family, but especially in the things I want to do in my business, I exhaled all the worry that can come when we feel as thought we are “not doing”, and just allowed myself some time to just be.
“I think it’s important that as creatives, we allow ourselves the proper time to rest, before we create the next big thing. We can’t always be producing more and more and more.”
– Bre Doucette
I did some projects around the house, little DIY’s, and took time to just be present with my family. I had no plan, or timeframe, I just knew that when I was ready I would come back, refreshed, and ready for this next season.
There were so many times over the past couple months I would sit down to write this post, but found myself struggling to find all the words. At first I was afraid of what would happen if I took too much time off, but I also didn’t want to rush the process. The world puts enough of that pressure on us to go, go, go, and for once I found myself longing to be still.
I can’t wait to share more thoughts on this, and what has transpired even more recently for our family. But I am happy to say, I’m not going anywhere, and thank you so much for still being here, while I waiting until I could find the words to share what I was feeling. I also can’t wait to share some of the fun projects I did, that were just the refresh I was craving in our decor. I have a long list of blog posts ideas to share with all of you, and I’m so excited to kick of this new season, SPRING, with all of you!
Stay Tuned!!
So nice to hear from you Bre! Thanks for the lovely thoughts.
Thank you Diane!
Your words give permission to those who feel that taking a break is a sign of weakness or lazyness. Your words explain the importance of rest and not only give permission but open the door to allow the mind and body to slow down and shift gears to keep going.
Thank you.
AWE Maria!!! Thank you so much!! Sometimes I wonder if it’s really worth sharing some of those more personal details, but you reminded me of the “why”, and your words encouraged me so much!
Sometimes you just need a break. You take whatever time you need, we’ll be here when you’re ready! Happy spring.
Thank you so much Janet!! And happy spring to you too!
So glad you are back and took some time for yourself. 🙂
Thank you Karen!! I’m so happy to be back as well 🙂
Oh! Please tell about book number 2. I have your first book and have drawn so much inspiration from it.
Oh thank you so much Rebecca!! I’m so so so glad to hear that, and I will absolutely be sharing more about Book 2 soon!
Yea! I’m so glad you’re back; been missing your posts.
I’m so happy you are back! Can’t wait to see what you have been working on, as I need a little happy inspiration to kick start me into Spring
EEK! Thank you Jenny!! I can’t wait to share more 😉
Not only do I like your sense of style. However, I also I think you sound like a very wise young woman.
…….Covered in a blanket of white snow, branches bare and seemingly lifeless – yet they were not dead – only resting. In fact it’s vital for plants to have a season of rest, so that there can be a season of growth.
Good on you! BTW I also think your home is lovely and I especially enjoy the table settings you prepare for friends and family. I marvel as I found it challenging enough to serve hot food never mind have the table also look beautiful!
I’m much older than you and look back fondly on the years when my four children were young. I admire your take on life! Take time to enjoy your family and your lovely home that the Lord has provided for you all!
OHHH Vicki thank you so much!! I’m so glad you are here, and thank you for your kind and sweet words 🙂
So glad you did what you felt you needed to
Do. We have all had to take a look at our lives this past year and as the Lord to show us what we should do and where we should go. And not feel
Pressure from what we think others think we should do or be. Love your blog. You have inspired me. And I am much older. Thank you
Thank you so much Kathleen. It’s so true about pausing to look at our lives this past year, and I’m so thankful for Gods prompting to stop and be still. I truly feel a sense of peace 🙂 Thanks so much for being here!
I was wondering about you and hoped that virus didn’t touch your life, as it has so many others. I will be here when you are ready, can’t wait to see what you have for us. Thanks and have a great day.
Oh thank you Marlene! Thankfully my family and I have remained in perfect health over the past year, and we feel truly blessed by Gods goodness in our life. Thanks so much for your thoughts, and I’m excited to start sharing again!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Enjoy your rest and I look forward to seeing what has transpired during your time of reflection.
Thank you Michelle!! It has been so good, and I can’t wait to share more soon!
Good for you! Take that rest and be calm- winter is a good time to do it. I’ve missed your blog but understand and applaud you!
Oh thank you Barbara! Rest has not always been an easy thing for me to do, but I can honestly say I’ve learned so much about myself in the process of doing so. So glad you are here!
Loved our coffee chat! I needed that. See you again
YAY!! I’m so glad Kathy!!
Hello from the Gold Coast Australia Bre! Wow! Your home looks like something out of a classy magazine. At least it spurs me on to declutter again after a spell. You are simply inspirational and my coffee and chat was just what I needed. Blessings to you and your family M:)
Ohh I am so glad to hear it!! Thank you so much for being here, and I hope you have a wonderful day!!
So glad you got the peace and stillness you needed. Glad you’re back, you were missed.
Thank you Jan!! That means so much to me 🙂 So happy to be back!
Bree, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I loved sitting in your beautiful and peaceful living space sharing a coffee with you. I so agree with your thoughts and in many ways Covid taught us to stop and relax and forget about this “unseen enemy” that was among us. So many of my friends realised that livfe had become so stressful and that we needed a break from the rush, rush and rush.
Looking forward for the next episode of your bblog but don’t hurry. Take your time as we will be here for you.
Love from Nancy.
AWE thank you Nancy!! It feels so good to share my thoughts, and I am so thankful for so many wonderful people in this community – such as yourself, to share them with!!