Ten Things: Volume 05

On my mind lately (3.20.2025)

Note to self: take more photos with my kids, even as I weigh more than what is healthy for me 🤎

It's been a long time since I did one of these "brain dump" type of roundups (the "Ten Things" series I did back in 2023!), but I've been realizing lately that I want to lean into writing more to document this season for our family (more of a digital diary) vs. trying to write for someone else (see #3 below).

I desire less and less to build a "following" or a "brand" - I just want to be and grow, without thinking and caring so much about how I'm perceived or what people think of me (something I've always struggled with!).

So, here are ten random things on my mind right now:

1. Silk scarves

I keep seeing women wearing silk scarfs over their shoulders (love this look on Carly) or wrapped around the neck with a button down shirt (like Lydia Millen does) and I really want to try it for myself.

I'm eyeing this floral silk scarf from Loft, but I'm worried I'll just look silly and feel uncomfortable since this seems way outside of my normal "style." But, on the other hand, since I am on a journey of discovering my personal style, maybe this could become a thing for me?

2. "The Truth About Housewives: Myth vs. Reality" (the Lila Rose Show)

Everyone needs to listen to this Youtube podcast. I'm not familiar with Lila Rose, but someone shared a clip of this episode with me on Instagram and, intrigued, I listened to the whole thing and it's exactly what I've been trying to put into words. So, so good.

3. Sharing out of the harvest vs. building in public

I've been thinking lately about how many of the people I admire and learn from share "out of the harvest" - by that I mean, they've lived through something and what they have to share comes out of that season. But, I've also learned a lot from watching people "build in public" - sharing lessons they're learning as they go through the season they're in.

There's value in both perspectives, and it's been shaping how I approach writing and sharing online. For me, this newsletter is "building in public" because it's sharing out of the season I'm in, but Seek in Faith is my "out of the harvest" sharing because it's based on the many years I spent in the single season and praying for marriage (aka, I’m on the other side of that season).

4. More sickness

I am so tired of being sick. We just got over the worst flu ever last month and then came down with colds last week. We're finally very slowly emerging out the fog of a terrible cold for me and the kids and I am beat. Currently googling and contemplating "how not to get sick so often" but with lack of sleep and toddlers, I don't know that we can completely avoid sickness no matter how many healthy choices we make.

By the way, we had terrible coughs this time around and a friend shared this salve with us and it made our coughs like 80% better within a couple hours. Highly recommend adding it to your medicine cabinet!

5. Joy list

I read this post about making a joy list - quick ways to fill your cup if you have 30-60 minutes free. In this season of life, it's helpful to have a joy and recharge list so when I have a pocket of kid-free and alone time, I can take full advantage of the time instead of trying to think about what I could do because I either end up with 100 things I want to do or a blank mind of nothing I want to do.

Anyhow, as I was making my own "joy list" using the prompts in that post, I realized that many of the things that have filled my cup in the past - writing in a coffee shop, browsing a book store, thrifting/going to a flea market, etc - are no longer an option for me now that we live in a tiny town in the middle of nowhere. So, now I'm re-thinking what fills my cup in this season and it feels odd (but also appropriately part of my "who am I now?” journey)

6. Haircut

I'm getting a haircut today and I'm so excited - I've been needing to get a trim for awhile but life has been full lately. Getting my hair done continues to be one of those things that fills my cup, so it's staying on my joy list. Because if there is one thing that makes me feel like "me" and put together, it's a good hair day.

7. The Legacy Guide 2.0?

I've been thinking about revamping the Legacy Guide to be more of an experience vs. a guide. For example, making it more of a retreat kit that a couple can work through on a day retreat or a weekend getaway. Or maybe a date night series. Or maybe question cards. Thoughts? Suggestions?

8. Coffee + Substack

A cup of black coffee in the morning is a constant on my "joy" list. Local friends of ours roast their own coffee blends (it's the family business they're building with their boys so we love also supporting them in this dream!) and it's become a household favorite of ours.

My current routine is combining coffee with reading Substacks each morning before I start the workday and I am loving this daily rhythm.

(Btw, code YELENA10 will get you 10% off Red Dirt Coffee!).

9. "Being overweight is selfish"

I was listening to the latest podcast episode of Farmhouse on Boone and her guest (Elizabeth from Purely Parsons) was talking about her weight loss journey after baby #6. She talked about how we are often so afraid of offending each other that we play down health issues saying weight doesn't matter, but it does.

Health matters, and when we play down the danger of being significantly overweight, it's selfish, because our spouses and kids absolutely want us at our healthiest, even if they love us at any size or weight.

"I want to be the best version of myself and being 50 pounds overweight is not the best version of myself." Elizabeth said that in the podcast and I was like yes, same!!!!

Getting healthy while nursing and not sleeping is hard, but I'm hoping to wean Luke here in the next month hopefully, so maybe that will help me see more results. I've been trying to make healthier choices but when I'm nursing and not sleeping, my body stubbornly holds on to weight.

10. Glutamine

Speaking of getting healthy, I was watching a vlog by Lydia Millen and she mentioned that taking glutamine has helped her "gurgling tummy." Daniel reminded me that we have some so I am trying it out to see if it helps me with my gut (I've been on a gut health learning / improvement kick lately).

Until next time,