Five on Friday: What's Saving My Life

Two of my favorite authors/podcasters, the Lazy Genius and Modern Mrs. Darcy, take this idea of "What's Saving my Life Right Now?" from the author Barbara Brown Taylor. As the Lazy Genius, Kendra Adachi says: "It’s really important to me that we pay attention to seasonal practices so that we get off that train of a linear life that goes from start to finish. That’s not how life works, so let’s remember what is working for us, bringing us joy, and saving our lives right now."

The things that are saving our lives don't have to be monumental. It's simply a practice of looking at what's making life better these days. Here are mine:

1. More daylight! At this moment we're getting 46 minutes more of daylight than we did on December 21st, and I am feeling it! Although the increase happens every late Jan/early Feb, it still feels like the best surprise every year.

2. This fleece neck gaiter has been a game changer. Scarves and I have been on and off friends, but I usually get fed up with their bulkiness. Enter the fleece neck gaiter. I am so much warmer when I wait for the kids to get off the bus.

3. Funny TV shows. Thank goodness for shows that make us laugh at the end of our day. Current favorites for the family, for the grown-ups and for me personally: America's Funniest Home Videos, Dog with a Blog, 30 Rock, SNL, Only Murders. My current "fluff" show is the 3rd season of Emily in Paris. Escapism at its finest!

4. Leaning into lazy winter days at home. We all had a snow day together last week (kind of rare when both Steve's school and the kids' schools cancel simultaneously), and it was my favorite kind of lazy day. We put on an epic movie, "Gone with the Wind", and we all worked on various projects- Lego, coloring, work, as it was going. Once in a while I'd leave my spot on the couch to go put a few pieces in the puzzle. It felt particularly cozy, and it's the kind of day that makes me appreciate this slower season. 

5. Curating my treadmill time. I love the treadmill, and I particularly love setting up with my iPad, phone and wireless headphones and taking "me time" while exercising. I put on one of our many Amazon music playlists and use the time to browse websites like Pinterest and Etsy. I also have a few blogs I only read while on the treadmill. A new addition has been to get back into Wordle. My 3-mile hour flies by! I look forward to exercising every day because I'm pairing it with other enjoyable activities.

So, tell me: what's saving your life right now? Big or small, I'd love to hear it.