By far one of the best breads I’ve made in a long time! (Minimalist Baker)
Thank you to Sandra from Lili & Folks for this adorable little tutorial! The hens and chicks were a huge hit on Easter morning.
It’s been quite a few days since I’ve stopped in and shared. Not because I don’t have anything to share, but because once again, time is moving too fast. And when time moves too fast for us, it’s time to make changes again. I promised myself when I stopped working that I wouldn’t live a life that was rushed. But somehow, the rush seems to find me (us). My husband and I sat down a little over a week ago and came to term with a few issues we had that were weighing on us. This led to a week of heavy reorganizing, planning, “cleaning house” so to speak and taking 2 more steps towards a simpler, happier life.
Our first big decision was to get off Facebook. I know, I know, it may seem like a ridiculous thing to put so much thought into. But when you have been using social media for all your communication for over 6 years, you tend to not take the deleting of your account very lightly. It was a heavy week of writing to everyone, collecting current emails, addresses and phone numbers. I spent most of my free time all week building us a very organized and detailed contact book with all the information we needed to stay in contact with our loved ones. Unfortunately, it seems our move has offended some, resulting in us not receiving any news or contact information. But we keep reminding ourselves that they have ours. Hopefully, after a bit of thought, they will change their minds and want to take a step back into the “middle ages” with us. Our choices for leaving social media are very personal to us. They are in no way a commentary on people who use it. We just knew this is what we wanted. The ultimate goal was to reduce our screen time and although the first week felt more intense, I know that now that everything is said and done, we will find a kind of peace in it we were really craving.
The second big decision we took was to take Little Miss out of preschool at the end of April instead of June. When we went to part-time preschool back in January, we didn’t realize the impact it would have. Back when it was full-time preschool / week-ends at home, our routine, our rhythm was wonderful. The only thing we found hard was not seeing her enough, so I selfishly took her out for my own personal need. Ever since then, our rhythm has been off. The days she is home, she wants to be in school. On the days she needs to go to school, she wants to stay home. Mondays are horrible now, she doesn’t want to leave. She has also recently found out that most of her little friends will not be going to the same school as her next year so she, like the mature-beyond-her-years little girl she is, has already decided that there is no point in dwelling. She will make all new friends in September, so why not just stay home with her little brother. She wants to learn about gardening, she wants to learn how to sew. She wants to create nature journals and go on hikes… all things she can’t do at school. So she asked to stop and we decided to do it. This will of course mean a HUGE change for me and Little Man. I know there will be a learning curve, I’ve never home schooled full-time, but I’m up for it.
Throw in there sickness (yes again!), another 5 inches of snow, lots of tending to seedlings that are out growing their pots, digging out beds from their ice prisons and Easter Week-end, I truly haven’t had a minute to myself. But I’m back now. I plan on catching up on all your lovely life events.
Wishing you a wonderful week!
Good night.
Family, Faith, Food and Fabric 
Well that’s definitely been a week of big decisions! I’m sorry you’ve met resistance to the idea of leaving Facebook – I’ve never joined and I’m living proof you can stay connected without it (although I’m very keen on Instagram and I love my blog!!). It sounds like the right decision for you and part of your new rhythm with your lovely girl staying home full time. I’m sure you’re going to have a wonderful summer without the stress of her being here there and everywhere. And now I’m off to look at how to make those chicks – they’re so cute!!
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I hope you’ll share pictures if you make little hens and chicks, I’d love to see them. So much fun to make!
I had thought about Instagram until I found out you need a cell phone. LOL! I don’t have one. Oh well… Ad yes, the freedom from any kind of determined schedule this summer will be amazing. There will be enough of deadlines and such when school starts. I’m looking forward to a whole summer of “following their lead”. What amazing places we will go!
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I love your plans, they all sound so well thought out. They are also inspiring – and I’m glad you’ve decided to stay with your blog for now. I know what you mean about the rhythm of going back and forth, and it can be exhausting. You must feel so liberated!
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Oh yes, I love my blog. It’s where I feel the most comfortable and supported online. To be visited by such amazing like-minded people, sharing thoughts, tricks and our lives. I would never give up this space. If anything, being able to spend more time here was a big motivator. Thank you for your visit!
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My that does sound busy. I have never entered the world of Facebook and I do hope to keep it that way. Linking up in real life and via blogs is enough for me! It sounds like you are entering an exciting period of your life I hope your rhythm finds a new beat.
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I love my blog as a sharing space as well. I feel like I’m not “shoving” my thoughts onto people. If they come to my blog, they want to read. It’s not showing up on feeds whether they want it or not. One thing I may have to start doing though is writing in French and English. I know a few won’t be able to understand.
Thank you for your kind words of encouragements. I’m sure we will all settle in very soon. With the warmth returning, nature will make rhythms that much easier.
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Certainly, some decisions are not easily made, but if they feel right for you and your family, you will have motivation to stick with them. I understand your need to go off Facebook. It can be so time consuming, too many information and some of them are not the ones you want in your peaceful life. Isn’t it amazing that your Little Miss wants to stay at home and do all those lovely things!? She is really a special child! ❤
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She really is. As I’m writing this, her dad is reading her a new book she got for Easter about the life and growth of a seed. She soaks up knowledge. I’m very lucky.
Getting off FB was one of the best decisions we’ve made in a while. I honestly don’t think we will go back. I had both kids at home today and I still found time to sew a bit. That hasn’t happened in a while. Minimizing screen time and making sure the time I DO spend on the computer is quality time is one of my priorities.
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I am so glad that off FB decision is working well for you. We had a time when we felt we needed to be off, now we are on again, but that doesn’t mean we won’t be coming off again 🙂 It is important to recognize what empowers us and what is a time-stealer. On workdays I don’t turn on my computer when we get home. 8 hours at work is quite enough 🙂
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I used to feel the same way when I worked as an admin. My husband is a computer analyst, so you can only imagine how he feels at the end of the day! 🙂
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So true! Everyday is a balancing act of getting stuff done yet not being too busy. Yea you for realizing that AND taking action! 🙂
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Thank you… these little moments of control are truly what I live for these days. I have such an idea in my head (more like a feeling in my heart) of where I want my life to go. When I find little ways that get me closer to that place, I can’t help but feel well.
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I’ve taken some breaks from facebook as well and get annoyed when my husband says “Did you know _____ was in the hospital?” No, I did not. It’s a great way to keep up with what’s going on in other people’s lives, but it can be a time suck. Don’t blame you at all.
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I’ve found that it is impossible to just check your messages. Cause you have all these notifications. You don’t want to be rude, people have tagged you, sent you things, posted pictures… and I was incapable of just “liking”. I always had to say a little something. All the news, the articles, the information… so much information. I was feeling suffocated.
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I smile as I read about your FB. I have never ever joined and do not plan to. I feel that if people want to be involved with me there are phones and my blog. It’s enough as it is. Good luck with that. Both of my kids deleted theirs as well, because of too much info and too much screen time, they are in their early – mid twenties.
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Look at your kiddos, wise beyond their years! For a long time, FB really was a tool. But it has become so complex with all the ads, apps, games, videos that start automatically! That one killed me. People would post videos and even if I didn’t want to watch them, they would start in my feed. Sometimes, I had 3 playing at once… all that noise pollution, I couldn’t handle it. I’m looking forward to getting in touch more personally. I’m actually stopping in at a craft store for stationary tomorrow. What a wonderful way to reconnect with the written word.
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That bread looks gorgeous, and so do your seedlings and littles’ drawings and knitted chickens! I definitely have a love-hate relationship w/ FB, and I am a much happier person when I stay away, but I also like to keep up with certain friends and that seems to be the only way. I admire the decision to withdrawal completely! Good luck with the transition to kids at home full time and hope your reorganizing and decluttering helps you find some peace and quiet!
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Thank you for your kind words (especially about the chickens, considering how amazing of a knitter you are!). The bread looked amazing and it wasn’t even baked. I’m yet to make a recipe from Minimalist Baker that has not come out like the picture! They are just an amazing cooking and baking resource.
I still get twinges about FB. We did leave quite a few people behind. But the people we were the most active with on FB followed us back to email. I think it was a lot about nurturing healthy relationships. I look forward to writing more personal emails, being more active on my blog. Already today, I found an hour to start a quilting project. I haven’t made a quilt in almost a year! That alone makes it all worth while.
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Taking steps towards a less rushed and simpler life are always good steps in my book. Hope these steps continue to take you along your intended path.
xo
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Thank you my friend. I have a feeling it will be a while of adjusting and figuring all our places on this road. But the only thing that is constant about life is the changes it brings. xo
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I hear you and completely understand on the rushed life. It seems always if I slow down in one area, I inevitably take on too much somewhere else. It’s such a balancing act! Just being conscious and mindful (as you are) I believe is the best we can do!
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I totally agree… every time I feel like I’m progressing somewhere, regression in some other area is unavoidable. *sighs* But yes… If I see it than my efforts are working. I didn’t used to be able to identify the stresses until I was run down. Good luck with your act as well…
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I’m also thinking of leaving Facebook. If I do I’ll keep my writer’s page and close my personal account. I pared down the friends list yesterday as a start. It’s too complicated, too political, too…too much. Shift and focus seem to be important to a lot of us right now. Shifting, focusing on what’s important, sorting things out. It will all work out for you. I’m sure of it. 🙂
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We had done that a while back : My husband and I had deleted our personal accounts and created a joint account. We thought somehow hat it would be more manageable. It wasn’t. At the end of the day, it wasn’t our accounts, it was FB. I have been feeling a great sense of “needing to simplify” from so many. Even here, all around me, people are taking charge, cutting down, making more than buying… There is a need for taking a step back it seems. Sometimes, when going forward is overwhelming, going back is he only real thing to do. xo
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I am glad to see you are doing well! I stopped facebook, or at least my personal page, months ago. It has freed up much of my time. I now try to focus on seeing people and talking to them on the phone. Unfortunately, the same thing happened to me that somehow this was an offense to some people. But it was something I felt important in my own personal life, and I think it was the right decision. We have actually taken the time to write letters, which is something we had not done in a long time. Contact became intentional, and I feel like those whom we have remained in contact with have stronger relationships. Thanks for sharing your hard decisions! Good luck to you on the home schooling!
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“Contact became intentional” I love that! That is what I want. It’s what I find myself craving more and more. To really know people. And there is just so much a computer can do. 🙂
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I totally undertand your position. Facebook can be pretty addictive as Instagram, blogging etc etc. It’s hard to find a balance right? I find Facebook useful to keep in contact with my friends and family back in italy, it has really made my life in France easier compared to the first years when I didn’t have any friends here and I felt lonely. But a mother has to make choices and for you, with a child at home with you full time, even more so! I hope your friends will respect your choice and get back to you otherwise!
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I felt the same way about our friends and family in the states. It seemed like the “only” way for so long, but now, I feel at peace with it. Taking the time to call them once a month and catch up will feel so much more personal and real. Facebook made me lazy. I felt like I was “showing up” so to speak by liking pictures and statues. But I wasn’t satisfied. It was wonderful today : We went to the post office this morning and my daughter chose 3 postcards (one for each family on my husband’s side) and wants to write her cousins. I was just thrilled. So that will be something real we will do together. This week-end, we will sit and write postcards, put stamps on them. walk to the mail box and drop them in. All with our hands, no screens necessary. I want my kids to know that. I went them to feel connected to the people they love. But like I’ve said, that is MY experience. I believe everyone is entitled to their own feelings about the subject, This is in no way a judgment on people that use FB. It is simply the way we have chosen to move forward (or backwards, depending on who you are talking to!)
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I struggle with the facebook issue alot. I’ve found the best way is to just to not use it. Though as I told you before our homeschool group does most of their communication through FB so I would have to think very wisely about getting out altogether. So that’s all I use it for now.
Just keep rolling with the current! 🙂
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I know what you mean. I had a few groups that I left. If there was a way to only have your feed be your groups, you know? But it comes with everything else. *sighs*
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Oh What a week, but less Facebook and more homeschool, that sound so marvelous! Merci beaucoup pour le lien et tes poules sont si jolies !!!! Quelle joie pour moi de savoir que les miennes ont “fait des petits” 🙂 Bon week end par chez vous, j’espère que le printemps va finir par réchauffer toute cette glace !
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Merci pour le beau compliment. Je pene déjà en faire en cadeau pour certains enfants de mes amies. 🙂
OUI! Nous avons des vraies températures de printemps finalement. Il a plu pendant 36 heures cette semaine et nous avons perdu plus de 30 cm de neige. Cette semine devrait être incroyable. J’espère que la tienne sera aussi fantastique!
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Sounds like a full on time, I’m sure you will keep getting closer to the peace you’re after. I do sometimes wonder about leaving the dreaded FB, but it is such an easy way of keeping up to date with family far away. And I do make sure it doesn’t eat much of my time, screen time is all about keeping up with blogging and blogging friends instead! So often I see parents glued to their mobile phones, maybe whilst out in the park with their children, and that’s what I find the saddest, and since I very happily don’t have a mobile phone I’ll live with FB a while longer at least. I hope little Miss loves her home time, it sounds perfect to me. And could it be the start of something new and longer term?! In some ways school helps with that ‘peace’ (!), but in lots of ways it doesn’t!
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I do live happily without a cell phone. I wouldn’t get one again. Although my husband is most likely getting a new position at work and a cell phone will come with. But I don’t see that affecting us too much. As high tech as my hubby is during the day (computer analyst), he gets pretty fed up with technology at the end of the day.
No, I don’t think I would start homeschooling full time. Anyway, not for now. I know that with school comes a bit of time management, but we will make it or own. 🙂
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