Hi, everyone!
Welcome to week #5 of the An Inspired Life Book Club!
We’re talking about embracing our current seasons this week — and living creatively (one of my favorite topics)!
Looking forward to chatting more and discovering new ways to add inspiration and creativity to our everyday lives!
a place to dwell 
Good morning, ladies!
I really enjoyed Chapter 5 this past week! I definitely agree with doing more of those things that inspire me, enable my creativity, and cultivates a heart that worships, loves, and believes fully in Him.
Things I delight in, include: photography (thank you, iPhone / Instagram), writing / journaling / blogging, hiking through the woods, drinking coffee (especially the hot foamy latte kind), soaking in good books, making playlists to enjoy for every mood / season, watching sunrises and sunsets, wearing bright colors and sparkles, visiting local farmer’s markets and picking up lovely bouquets, spending time in my home office to work on creative projects, running / spinning workouts, and being with my hubby, loved ones and others who inspire and encourage me (including reading other blogs and learning from others).
I’m really working on being more intentional with how I spend my time and who I spend my time with. I’m venturing out more, breaking out of my rigid routine to incorporate more fellowship and space to breathe/think/rest/create. Doing this since the beginning of the new year has really helped me accomplish some goals I’ve had set for awhile and made me more balanced overall. When I take the time to honor God by using the gifts He’s given me and being with the people He’s blessed me with, I feel more confident in who I am and what He’s working out in my life, and this ultimately leads to a greater sense of contentment, refreshment, and peace. I’m so grateful for the growth I’ve experienced this season.
Blessing to you all this week! : )
HI Hannah! You’re doing such an amazing job and I love reading your insight! Thank you.
Katie! I LOVE this week, it’s my favorite yet! I watched the video twice. It really resonates with me right now (our lives are so similar sometimes, girl!).
I’m currently delighting in/being inspired by: designing my own office space at home, finally finding a place to make all of my dreams/goals a business reality (B-school!), enjoying the time spent watching How I Met Your Mother with my boyfriend (I’ve never seen it so we’re catching up and we love laughing together), dreaming with him, reading one book a month, connecting in REAL LIFE with other motivated awesome lovely women (networking is one of my goals this year), digging into Ruth with HelloMornings, writing letters to my boyfriend since we live far away (and we’re so cliche that we’re both saving them in shoeboxes ;)), getting back into the swing of baking for FUN, saying YES to some things at church after a long period of only saying no, to name a few.
Things I can do to incorporate more fun into my life: hmmm, this is a great question. I’m definitely incorporating more color with my office space. I’m super excited that it’s (nearly) spring and I’ve been incorporating a lot more color into my wardrobe.
Have a great rest of the week, friends!
:) Natalie
Hello ladies! Thank you for sharing, I have enjoyed reading what you are currently delighting in.
I am currently delighting in: Running the race that the Lord has placed before, focusing on God and eternity as my reward, embracing the opportunity to praise the Lord through whatever comes, living fully, enjoying this season of singleness, dark roast coffee, the color pink, fountain pens, ballet class, worshiping my Savior through dance, fresh flowers, cooking nutritious foods to bring health to my body, sunsets at the beach, early morning run by the lake, craft projects, watching Hallmark Channel’s “When Calls the Heart” series, getting lost in a good book, spending time developing friendships and community with fellow believers, encouraging others to not lose hope, and baseball games with my brother.
Things to incorporate into my life: I made it a goal this year to create at least one craft project a month. So far so good, but as life gets busier, I know it will become difficult. I also want to brush up on my calligraphy. A new craft I want to learn is metal stamps and hope to purchase them soon.
Katie – I would love to start an art journal, could you guide me on how to start one?
This chapter is so encouraging. I find that as I get older and have more responsibilities, the less creative I feel. I thought for a while that I’d lost the creativity I had, but this chapter is helping me to see that it’s really just the amount of time I have for creativity that’s changed. I need to make being creative a priority and make time for it (and not feel guilty about using time for creative pursuits).
Lately I’ve been enjoying reading, cooking, journaling, and blogging. I’d love to find ways to incorporate more creativity into my daily life. I find myself more and more inclined to do house-type stuff, “nesting,” I guess, but it’s difficult because my husband and I live in a teensy tiny apartment where we have very limited choices (and almost no natural light! agh!). I need to find ways to do some creative nesting in this temporary space. :)