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How I’m Reckoning with Unchecked To Do Lists

How I'm Reckoning with Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

Every summer for the past five years, Mark and I have journeyed to HoneyRock Camp in northern Wisconsin for a week in the woods.  Mark attended that camp as a college student, and then worked as a counselor there over a decade ago.  Now, we return so that he can serve as camp doctor, stitching up wounds from mountain-biking crashes and treating poison ivy.

But the mending doesn’t stop there.

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

It always seems that when we find ourselves back at HoneyRock, breathing in that cool Wisconsin air and stoking that same storytelling fire and cutting our oars in the same true-blue lake water, our souls get stitched up again.

Our hearts receive a healing salve.

And we breathe a bit deeper, walk a bit slower, look a bit longer.

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

How I'm Reckoning with Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

Robert Frost said it best.  The woods are lovely, dark, and deep.

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

When we found out Juniper’s due date was June 14th, we wondered if HoneyRock was in the cards for us this year.  Would we be crazy to travel with a newborn?  Would she be ready for such an expedition?  But after careful consideration and chatting with my moms and sisters-in-love, Mark and I decided that it would be an adventure worth taking.  And boy-oh-boy, are we glad we did.

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

Juniper proved to be a champion traveler, sleeping through our airport travels and nursing on our ascent and descent to stave off painful ear pressure.  We also had a five hour road trip that grew into eight hours with stops for playtime and nursing.  And she only melted down during that last half hour, and I couldn’t blame her.  We all were so anxious to get to to our final destination.

And so, our family of three made it to HoneyRock.  And though this was our fifth summer taking this trip, it was a different camp experience for me this time around.  Drastically different, in fact.

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

Typically, camp has been a bit of a creative renaissance for us both.  Mark and I like to unplug from technology and dive into the pages of our journals and reflect on our goals from the previous year and dreamcast new ones!  My mind is usually abuzz with new ideas for my blog, theatre directing job, and personal development, and I can’t reach for a pen fast enough to harness all of that creative energy.  You might have even read blog posts on soul-rest born out of seasons past like here (My Week Unplugged), here (Why I’m Taking a True Day of Rest Every Week), and here (5 Non-Digital Activities to Refuel Your Creativity).

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

How I'm Reckoning with Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

But this year, I didn’t crack open my journal once.  I didn’t dream up new dreams.  That long wish list of creative projects I brought with me?  The boxes remained unchecked.  My “output” was dismal.  Much like it has been at home lately.

What was different?  Oh, right!  We had a newborn as our travel companion.  A mighty cute one at that.  {Wink.}

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

I absolutely love being a mom to our Juniper.  And Mark loves being her dad.  We both feel like these were roles God has been preparing us for.  But it doesn’t mean parenthood has been a seamless transition.

One of the hardest challenges I’ve had to face as a new parent is going through my days not feeling “productive.”  This bothers me more than I expected.  Some days, looking back on my accomplishments, sometimes all I can account for is taking a shower.  Or unloading the dishwasher.  Of course, I’m caring for our child, which I know is the most important job I have right now, but I’m all too easily discouraged by the long to do list staring me in the face.  That weighty feeling of constantly being behind.

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

Allow me to share with you an excerpt from Shauna Niequist’s book, *Present Over Perfect:

Richard Rohr says the skills that take you through the first half of your life are entirely unhelpful for the second half.  …  They made me responsible and capable and really, really tired.  They made me productive and practical, and inch by inch, year by year, they moved me further and further from the warm, whimsical person I used to be…and I missed her.

Wow, that rings so true right now.  So much of the first half of my life was about achievement.  About working hard and getting things done and earning high marks and generous praise.  It’s amazing how much satisfaction I derive from “getting things done.”

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

And yet, if I search my heart like Shauna did, I know checklists aren’t ultimately satisfying.  They never give the fulfillment they promise.  If anything, they often lead me astray to burnout.  Or sickness.  Or losing sight of what is really important.  Or missing out on the beauty of the present.

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

How I'm Reckoning with Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

And so HoneyRock for me this year was about abandoning the checklist.  It was about not having my joy rest in getting things done, but rather in enjoying the cabin.  And getting lost in a puzzle beside Mark and sharing our favorite puzzle-solving strategies with each other.  (I had forgotten the thrill of a good table puzzle.)

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

It was about taking naps in the mid-day sun, preparing meals together in the evening, and reading a story by the fire at night.

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

It was about taking Juniper on new adventures.  And singing her an endless canon of bedtime lullabies.

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

It was about having a staring contest with a deer on our first family hike.  And witnessing Mark discover the beauty of the Solly Baby Wrap.

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

It was about getting outside even though the mosquitos scoffed at my bug spray and ate away at my legs anyway.  (And it was about learning not to complain about said mosquito bites.)

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

How I'm Reckoning with Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

It was about delighting in our daughter who underwent a huge growth spurt while we were there and was a Smiley McSmileyPants. She achieved a new sleep record one night of 7.5 hours. Celebrate good times, come on!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

Oh, and get this: the one night I cracked open my laptop to do some work, my keyboard stopped working.  Of course it started working again when we returned home.  (God works in mysterious ways.)

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

I didn’t leave camp with blog goals and big plans for the rest of 2016, but I did leave knowing my husband better and my daughter more.

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

Though I don’t accomplish a whole lot these days by the world’s standards, embracing the beautiful simplicities and challenges of the day to day in raising our daughter is my calling in this season.  I feel the plates within me shifting to follow that purpose (my word of the year!).  Though it’s a battle everyday, and I long for the age-old thrill of a lengthy list of to-dos checked off, I am much happier when I don’t fight it.

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with a good schedule or a list to organize your thoughts and inspire action.  But when you live and die by a checklist as I have done for way too long, then something needs to be reordered.  Can I get an “Amen”?

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

And after my week at HoneyRock Camp this summer, I decided I don’t want to live a life riddled with guilt and worry about all the things I need to get done.  No thank you.  I’d much rather learn the art of being fully present where I am and among the people I’m with.

Be it in a cabin in the woods.  Or in a nursery rocker.  Or a theatre space.

In the words of Jim Elliot,

“Wherever you are, be all there.”

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

So, dear reader, this is what I’m learning these days.  And re-learning because I’m forgetful.  And probably will continue to learn this side of heaven.

And though growth can be painful, I’m actually grateful to be in the midst of a transformation.  I’m glad to know God is not done with me.  That I haven’t arrived.  There’s still more to learn and ways to grow.  It gets me excited for the days ahead.  And the joy that awaits—the kind of joy that is not bound boy the man-made boxes of a checklist.

What I'm Learning About Unchecked To Do Lists: Snapshots and stories from our week in the woods as a new family of three, and how unchecked to do lists are teaching this recovering perfectionist a thing or two about the kind of life I want to live from here on out. Join the conversation!

I’ve gotten a taste of this new joy, and I want more.

Hungry for More?

HoneyRock has been fertile ground for such valuable lessons for me, especially on the topics of rest and creativity.  Here’s what I’ve written about after past trips:

And you can catch a few seconds from our trip in this video segment from my 1 Second Everyday project:

Here’s more about my word of the year:

And here’s what I’ve been reading lately that will speak to my fellow recovering perfectionists!

2023 Update: This struggle to accept the rest my body and soul need and let go of unchecked lists is one I’m still grappling with many years later. I hope you’ll find new encouragement in my recent post, For the One Struggling to Take a Rest & Recovery Day. While you’re reading that post, you can nab my free printable download to help you brainstorm a menu of restful activities for you next day of rest and recovery.

Free Printable Resources and 3 questions to consider the next time you need a rest and recovery day, but are struggling to accept that. Here's to becoming people whose worth is not wrapped up in what we produce but who live from rest, knowing we are loved simply because we're beloveds of God. | Nab your free printables to help you brainstorm a "menu of activities" for your next recovery day, solo retreat, or Sabbath day of rest! Via ThinkingCloset.com
Click HERE to read more and nab your FREE downloads.

Your Turn

If this post resonated with you, then, “Hip hip hooray!”  It brings me joy to know I have co-travelers on this wild, wonderful, growing journey of life.  Feel free to join the conversation in the comments below.  I’d love to know more about what you’ve been learning lately and what books or blog posts I should dig my teeth into.

Be well, friends.

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17 Comments

  1. Amen!

    This post is healing in itself…from your line “but the mending doesn’t stop there…”, to what you learned this year at Honey Rock…to every single photograph! All the ones of you, Mark and Juniper make me smile broadly!

    Love all the comments by everyone, too. You’ve generated much self-reflection and more wisdom on being present rather than perfect!

    What I also see is how dependent and bound I am to “to-do” lists (and unfortunately passed on that sense of striving for accomplishment to you, dear daughter) but how the best days…the days I remember best and most…are the ones when I listened to God’s inner promptings and followed His leading and allowed His interruptions to impact my days. There is ALWAYS time to get done in the day what He wants me to do.

    Is that the little hand-knit hat from NYPH-WD in one of those pics where Juniper looks so snugly warm?

  2. Love your perspective; hard lessons to learn but so much more of God in the learning. My baby girl was a baby 35 years ago and it seems like yesterday. I remember one day where I started to shave my legs. After one leg something, I don’t remember what, was urgent. One leg shaved. I think it was a week before I got to the other one. But in that week was nursing, snuggling, nursing, cuddling, sleeping (ahhh, sweet sleep), nursing, playing baby games and just sitting and gazing at my sweet miracle girl. And probably some laundry. Ok, lots of laundry. To-do lists are WAY over-rated. Enjoy this time. Savor it. It’s way too short.

  3. Lauren, this was absolutely so well said! Truth for sure. Good to learn these lessons now because you will keep relearning them in the variety of seasons that are still to come! HONEYROCK – summer of 1974, I was a counselor all summer, got engaged there to my sweetheart Ted who was also a counselor. Could not have been a more naturally romantic place to finish falling in love and make the big decision of life together. Sure appreciated the great pictures. God bless you three!

  4. I’ll give you an Amen! I’m glad you decided to take the trip with Juniper. What a great way for her to start her adventures, and for you and Mark to continue yours- right from HER beginning! Be in the moment as often as you can, Lauren. Losing those moments are the real regrets. Checklists will always be there, patiently waiting for you. In time, you come to be able to juggle that list stuff between all the good stuff without thought. Johanna’s advice of “one step at a time to climb a mountain” is spot on. Be patient and don’t worry 🙂

  5. As usual, I’m blessed by your post Lauren, thank you. Morherhood brought me face to face with the shocking reality that I found my identity and value in my achievements rather that the God who made me and loves me. It was hard, hard, hard… in effect, breaking an addiction. I was addicted to the affirmation I received from people for what I did. I realized that my new project/ assignment had a length of over 20 years with no periodic performance reviews or constructive feedback. While it was hard, it was the best thing ever to happen to me. Now more than 27 years later, I have to remind myself less often. When doubt or self reliance creep in, I read Ephesians 1 & 2, inserting my own name in place of the pronouns. Try it my friend during you next late night or early morning nursing time. It will feed your soul. Love you!!

  6. My dear…
    First of all, every picture of Junie makes me smile. One minute I think, wow, she’s all Mark… the next minute I think, no she’s definitely Lauren. But I think the truth is she got the best of both of you. What a darling and you and Mark are wonderful parents!

    This is a hard lesson to learn. I think it is most jarring in the beginning. I remember being really stressed out about how little I actually got done and kind of like the thing I drew my worth from was no longer there. Except we aren’t called to draw our worth from the cleanest house, best dinner, and high level of productivity. Becoming a mom pointed out that I wasn’t drawing my worth from Jesus, but from my accomplishments. (And no, nursing, changing, playing with, rocking, and attending to my baby all day long just didn’t feel like an accomplishment). So…take away my accomplishments and what does that make me???? Worthless! Ha! So not biblical.

    The reality of life is that the dishes do need to be washed and chores need to be done and creative projects fuel our souls… but never at the expense of being honest about from where our worth is derived. Now with a toddler, I do make to-do lists, but I don’t stress as much about getting things done. Our babies are only babies for so long… we don’t get these years back! One day we’ll be reminiscing about the “good old days” when we took naps on the couch with a newborn, cleaned the bathroom with our babies in the carrier, walked around the neighborhood until they finally fell asleep, and sang endless lullabies. If I could do it all again, I would have learned this lesson much quicker than I did and actually ENJOYED Jonathan’s infancy. I’m hoping to have the grace to do so with our little one to come!

    You are an inspiration! Thank you for sharing your heart. Love you!

  7. Lauren Juniper is beautiful and reminds me of you when you were an infant. I remember those eyes:) I don’t even know how you found time to write such an inspiring blog (youth) Savor the days, they do run into one another and you just trust the Lord to provide the energy and direction for each day. Enjoy the journey of parenting:) xoxoxo

  8. Lauren, once more you humble me with your frank confession of imperfection. Motherhood does this to us. Mine are grown and out of the house, but they still provide me with learning opportunities. I so enjoy reading your posts and being a voyeur into your growth as you transform your life into what you and God have in mind. Keep on growing and skip the lists. They help in the short term, but in the big picture, live life and love it. You and Mark have a beautiful little bug; enjoy her while you can.

  9. If there’s one thing that it is okay to complain about, it has to be mosquitoes! I mean, come on! They’re terrible!

    But in all seriousness, I really enjoyed this post. As you know, I am also a terrible perfectionist, so I know exactly how you feel. Weirdly, as of late, I have found myself going in the opposite direction of just leaving things until they get to a point where I can’t deal with it anymore, and then I go into a getting-things-done (or let’s be honest, getting things clean) frenzy. Which isn’t ideal.

    Fact is that you are CARING FOR A BABY (!!!!), which I feel excuses any unfolded laundry or unwashed hair. But something I read recently has really stuck with me: every time you enter a room, you pick up/straighten/dust/whatever 5 things. Like in the kitchen, you load the cutlery into the dishwasher, you change the towel, you water the basil plant, you pick out the rotten plums, and you wash one pan. I suppose it’s just an interpretation of “one step at a time to climb a mountain”, but weirdly, this has helped me slowly but surely get back on track. Sometimes, it might just be two things, and then sometimes once you’ve done five you just do the rest because you’re on a roll, but either way, you’re getting things done. Granted, I don’t have to get them done with a baby attached to some part of me, but maybe you could interpret this in a way that works for you? It’s list-free and therefore low-stress, but still gets you that little fuzzy feeling of having accomplished something, no matter how small.

    Thinking of you! Love you!
    Johanna

  10. The perfect trip for you and your family. I learned a long time ago that focusing on my family and being with them was more important than accomplishing my checklist. It took me a long time to learn it, but I did. Now, I am quick to put everything aside when my girls come home from college and want to spend the day with me. You have a beautiful girl and beautiful family. Love all the pics!! Thanks for sharing your trip and insight 🙂

  11. Thank you. I really needed this one. I’m a recovering perfectionist, homeschooling mom of 3 boys…if there’s one thing I’ve learned from motherhood its that there’s very little room for perfection. Next month I’ll be 10 years into my motherhood journey and alas it is still a lesson I must relearn almost daily.

    My favorite self help read these days is “The Parent’s Tao Te Ching, Ancient Advice for Modern Parents” by William Martin. Lots of wisdom and peace is shared in these pages. Also the passages are brief and make for great bathroom reading, which lets face it, is sometimes the only reading time we mama’s are granted! God bless <3

  12. Oh Lauren, I love so much about this post. It’s so true that our world is flipped upside down and you start to learn a new normal. And just as I’m still learning that new normal my life will be flipped upside down again in a few short months. I rarely actually write a to do list any more it mainly sits in my head and if 1 or even a few items get done, great. And if none get done that’s ok too! I continuously remind myself that this is the season of my life. What I feel like is the hardest season as I’m in the thrawls of ths terrible 2’s. Cheers mama to letting go and finding your new normal!

  13. Thank you for sharing and for all the beautiful pictures! That was a good reminder for me too to keep the relationships in my life and special times together more important than always trying to accomplish things.

  14. Beautiful photos, beautiful baby, beautiful location…………….beautiful message! God bless you in the path you are on………….

  15. I remember those days… wondering why I can’t get more done while the baby is sleeping, wondering if my usefulness as a human was forever gone because I was now a “mom”. It was the hardest transition for me as a new mom. I wish you well in moving beyond these feelings – it looks like from this post that you’re well on your way to being a peace with them. Yay!

    The photos in this post? GORGEOUS!

  16. It was wonderful to hear about your trip and seeing the precious pictures of Juniper at her first camping experience. It is not about doing what you have always done, but instead opening your life’s routine up to include the new part of you. Go, do….get refreshed. Being together is now and always will be the main thing that children crave. We were never able to afford to take our children on fancy trips, but we included them from day one.

  17. awww, what a beautiful post. I’m so glad you three were able to make it to Honeyrock together this year! Sounds like you are smitten with your little Junie-Babe <3 What a precious gift she is! Looks like you are rocking this motherhood gig – you are indeed abundantly blessed. The whole checklist things is overrated, in my opinion. Taking time to be still, to know, to soak it all in, even when nothing gets checked off the list, even when there was no time to make a list – that's what we are to be about.
    Thank you for taking time to share with us.

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