From contributing writer Meagan of Frugal Fun and Fortune

Rush. Rush. Rush.

Summer is coming to an end, and with it comes the back-to-school craze.  Driving the kids here.  Racing across town there.  Grocery shopping.  Bill paying.  Cooking.  Cleaning.  Laundry.  Work.  To-do lists.  Errands.  Doctor’s appointments.

It’s seems like we can never get a moment to breathe.  We run ourselves ragged, miss out on much-needed sleep, and often over-commit.  In this 9 to 5 society of non-stop GO, sometimes it’s truly necessary to force ourselves to s-l-o-w-d-o-w-n.

When was the last time you carved out some precious time for some of the following stress-relieving, relaxing, and enjoyable activities?

• Journaling
• Reading
• Baking cookies… just for fun
• Lying under the stars and taking it all in
• Watching the sun climb higher in the sky
• Spending a day at the park
• Dancing freely
• Singing your heart out
• Laughing until you cry
• Writing a letter to a friend
• Chatting over coffee
• Taking snapshots of everyday life
• Taking a nap on a rainy day
• Choosing the scenic route on the drive home
• Painting your nails a crazy color
• Looking through old photo albums
• Finding adventure outside
• Having a tea party
• Exercising
• Taking a bubble bath
• Spending a little extra time on your hair and makeup
• Listening to music on a lazy afternoon
• Exploring nature trails
• Feeling the wind on your face
• Watching wildlife
• Turning off the sound (electronics, Internet, TV)
• Taking a stroll, hand-in-hand with your spouse
• Creating meaningful art
• PRAYING

Maybe these seem childish, or perhaps this list seems like whimsical dreaming.  But maybe, just maybe, this list can inspire some therapeutic ideas for simple and enjoyable living.

Whatever it is that clears your mind, soothes your heart, and relaxes your body… it’s very important that you find time for it.

We keep going… and going… and going.  We get depressed.  We stress out.  We destroy our physical and mental health.  We are TIRED; all the time.

That to-do list can be put aside from time to time.  It will always be there, pressuring us to extend ourselves beyond our limits.

Today, let’s take some time to enjoy life. Let’s be kind to ourselves.

And tomorrow? We will be well-rested.  We will feel refreshed and ready to tackle that to-do list.  We can accomplish more.

It will be worth it.

God created that day of rest for a reason.  He knew it was necessary…

*Photo Credit

What is your favorite way to relax, unwind and enjoy life?

About Meagan Newsome
Meagan authors Frugal Fun & Fortune, where she writes about saving money, giving to others, delicious Vegetarian recipes, simple living, and her life adventures. Her greatest passions include chasing after God wholeheartedly, social justice and being a good wife. You can connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.
Read more by Meagan -> | Blog

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I am not a fan of New Year’s Resolutions. Goals? I can do those. Over a week into the New Year and big changes are happening in our household. I have some major goals to accomplish and we are already well underway.

I am sharing these goals with you all with a bit of hesitation, as you may have noticed I have not gotten very personal on this blog for some time. Sharing coupons and frugal tips is easy, but sharing my heart is another story. Ironically, an opportunity from Walmart was just the nudge I needed to share some of what’s been going on “behind the scenes”.

Late last summer, my oldest daughter, whom I raised alone until she was four, received a diagnosis of a neuro-psychological development disorder. {I shudder at that D word, but there it is}. This diagnosis rocked. my. world. She is not ill, this is not a life-threatening condition, or one that many would even notice. But it is one that any mother grieves.

I became angry, confused and frustrated. And then? I got busy. I finally had an answer to what I had wondered about for many years. The diagnosis was just a label, but armed with that puzzle piece of information, I became empowered. I began voraciously researching all that I could get my hands on about her condition. Small changes took place, and glimmers of hope replaced my despair.

Each change had a common theme: HEALTH.

We added supplements to her diet, added more organic foods and eliminated most processed foods. I made great strides in reducing the toxins in our home – those found in our kitchen, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene products. I learned about natural home remedies and the importance of Vitamin D. I studied scripture on how our bodies were created.

My frugal lifestyle was put on hold for a while as I invested in these changes. I may have gone a little crazy at the health food store.  {ahem} That’s where my goals come in. January brings a fresh start and even more changes to our home. A healthier lifestyle is not only critical for my daughter, but for my entire household. I MUST work on ways to incorporate these changes the frugal way. Coupons can still play a role in this lifestyle; admittedly a smaller role – and that’s okay!

Goals:

Continue to improve our diet by serving real, nourishing foods.

This change will certainly force help us eat out less. I am thrilled to finally own a chest freezer (my Christmas present from hubs) which will make a huge difference! I plan to stock it with local meats, homemade stock and freezer meals. Sara is now on a gluten-free diet, and it really seems to be helping her!

Further reduce toxins in our home.

Toxins are all around us and are impossible to avoid completely. But for a child with special needs, they can make a major impact. I have already replaced nearly all of our cleaning supplies (and even some beauty supplies) with homemade versions and will be sharing more recipes in future blog posts.

Make a conscience effort to exercise with my children.

I tend to avoid exercise because I do not need to lose weight. However, I am keenly aware of the benefits of exercise beyond just weight control. Weight-bearing exercise is critical for preventing osteoporosis. Not to mention my toddler is quite the armful these days! Since I am too cheap frugal to join a gym, the family room will have to do. Involving my children will keep me accountable, and I know they will enjoy it.

Changes Ahead

There you have it. Not your typical New Year’s goals, huh? Each week in January, I will be sharing more on my progress and reasons behind these changes. An unexpected  (but welcome) benefit came out of this diagnosis – health has become a huge passion of mine. You will be seeing more of this side of me in 2011… I guarantee it.

I am a member of the Walmart Moms program. Walmart has provided me with compensation to share my journey to healthier living with you as part of the Fresh Start Challenge. Participation is voluntary and as usual, all opinions are my own.

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As we celebrate the joyous birth of our Savior, I wish you a Merry Christmas from my family to yours!

“ Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”
Luke 2:14

I am enjoying a brief blogging break to honor my family and will return shortly. Have a blessed holiday!

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Isn’t it amazing how much frugal fun a simple cardboard box can provide? Give her a box of markers and stickers to go with it, and my sweet Leah is content for hours.

Linked to: Wordless Wednesday

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Exactly two years ago this month, I made a big announcement. Our final credit card had been paid off completely after years of living with consumer debt. I have to say, I am so glad I publicly shared that success.  It has kept me accountable over the last two years.

Some people can manage credit cards effectively, racking up rewards points and paying off the balance each month. I am not one of those people. My husband is not one of those people. Occasionally, an offer letter will arrive in the mail or that friendly cashier at JCPenney will ask if I’d like to “save” on my purchases by opening a line a credit.

The old me would likely hesitate. Maybe even pause for a moment to consider it. But today, my readers are my accountability partners. I can firmly and confidently decline a new credit card without reserve.

Have there been temptations?

Of course. We recently moved into a larger home with our growing family and the addition of my sister to the mix. Financing a new sofa or rug would be so convenient.  Instead, we paid cash for those. There are other items on my “wish” list. Items that can wait.

In the meantime, we continue to enjoy a life without credit cards. The first few years of our marriage saw lots of plastic. Reflecting now on the last two years without them, I see major differences in our family life.

To name a few:

• Less mail: Far less paper clutter comes into our home without credit cards bills.
• Better sleep: New babies aside, we honestly sleep more soundly without debt hanging over us day and night.
• Fewer payments: This is rather obvious, but just having the basic bills to pay each month saves time and hassle over making payments.
• No surprises: When purchases are made, they are carefully planned and researched. There is no spontaneous splurge with a credit card.
• Less uncertainty: We no longer question how we are going to pay for emergencies, or even our upcoming (frugal) family vacation.
• More giving: Without hundreds of dollars going towards credit card bills every month, we have been able to be far more generous with our finances.

Two years later, I can look back and realize the peace that paying off that final card brought to our lives.

If you are struggling with debt, read how we stayed motivated by using visuals.

Note: In the spirit of full disclosure, my husband does use one company credit card for travel and business expenses as is required by his employer. But thankfully this is never part of our family finances.

Linked to: Frugal Friday

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Our motto for birthdays around here is “keep it simple”. While I do feel the day of my children’s birth is worthy of celebration, I prefer small family gatherings over expensive venues.

My sweet baby boy turned one year old on Tax Day. However, we just recently had the official celebration, postponed just for Grandma’s visit. I can hardly believe how fast the year has flown by! Colin is such a joy, bringing smiles and laughter into our home each day.

Here are a few of my favorite photos from his frugal birthday bash:

A present!

Frugal cake decor with alphabet blocks

Cousins! Colin with my nephew, Christian (3 months older)

My chandelier decor was inspired by Myra, with ribbons and a few classic wooden toys. So cute!

One candle, of course.

His first taste of his very own cupcake. Messy but fun!

Balloons, cake, ice cream, streamers. Simple and frugal, yet meaningful. Just like my girls’ birthdays.

How do you make your children’s birthdays special without breaking the bank?

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A day of fresh air and sunshine is so good for the soul. What is it about hats that ups the adorable factor on any baby?

Linked to 5 Minutes for Mom.

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I knew this day was coming. But that does not make this post any easier.

It has officially been 90 Days since the start of the challenge. Several of you have inquired as to how my reading was coming along after my confession. Your concern warms my very heart and soul.

I did not finish. Not even close. If I explain my reasons, do they simply sound like excuses?

Life over the course of the last three months has been unexpectedly challenging. I started out full of passion and dove into God’s word like never before. It was a breath of fresh air. But then my lack of sleep put me a little behind. Then a little more. I was determined to get caught up.

But I never did get caught up on sleep. Colin wakes every. single. night. to nurse a minimum of two times on a good night. Sure, I could let him cry. My last baby, I desire to savor each moment with my little guy, even at three in the morning. Since he has a particularly hard time eating any solids, and refuses a bottle or cup, I have practically been his only source of nutrition since his birth over eleven months ago. So I nurse him back to sleep. There are fewer tears this way, for both of us. But I am weary.

I suspect my exhaustion has something to do with the unwelcome visitor that recently crept back into my life. Depression.

Admitting this right here on my blog is not easy. I strive to encourage and uplift. And I don’t often get too… personal. But perhaps you know this visitor as well. And perhaps you feel alone. The lies it tells are all too convincing.

A struggle on and off for many years, depression pulls me away from God when I know I need Him most. These last few months have been particularly low for me. I continued to blog, a welcome escape. But my Bible sat untouched. And the guilt grew.

It is my hope that sharing this with the world will be my first step on the road to better days. With an upcoming move, a very active almost-one-year old, and a husband who is often traveling, I know I must beat this. I am taking things one day at a time.

My Bible is waiting. I know I will not finish it in ninety days during this season of my life. But thankfully God’s word is eternal and unchanging. Reading it cover to cover is still a major goal. But for now, I meditate on this scripture:

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.

He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,

he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

To see how others experienced the Bible in 90 Days Challenge, and learn more about the upcoming Summer session, visit Moms Toolbox.

Linked to My Blessed Life.

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After months of cold, pouring rain and even snow, the sun decided to make an appearance this week. Spring is in the air!

There is nothing like some dirt, a trowel and some $3 flowers to make for one very happy child. Frugal family fun at its finest, and definitely a finer thing.

What are you planting this Spring?

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Three women.

With entirely different backgrounds. In three different states.

Three moms.

One first timer. One of all girls. One a step-mother.

Three wives.

One to a Pastor. One to her childhood sweetheart. One finding her way.

Three churches.

Different denominations. Or not one. Different music. One wears a hat each week. The others wear jeans.

Three bloggers. Three friends.

One faith.

Brought together through blogging. Prayer warriors, shoulders to (virtually) cry on, always a text message away.

Who knew blogging could connect these kindred spirits? So different, yet so alike.

Not expected, yet such a blessing.

This is what Relevant is all about. Are you seeking a kindred spirit?

I invite you to join me, Myra, and Amy, along with 200 other Christian women bloggers this October. Come… be encouraged, supported and blessed.

Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the man who falls
and has no one to help him up!

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

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