An October Check-In: The Beauty of an Unhurried Month
October 31, 2025
It’s October 31st, the last day of the month. I haven’t recorded a podcast this month. I decided to take a break and focus on writing more on my blog. However, that hasn’t really happened either. I haven’t had too much to share. That’s not a bad thing, though. Sometimes, I go through seasons of quieter growth. Those seasons are always so welcome.
In September, I committed to a month of zero scrolling on social media. It was so good. I remember a friend, who had stopped drinking alcohol, said something along the lines of: When you stop drinking, it doesn’t take away your problems, but it does reveal them to you so you can deal with them. That’s like taking a break from social media. It’s not that it just makes everything blissful; it really clears and soothes your mind, allowing you to focus on what’s going on around you. Not just problems, either, but all of the goodness around you. It lightens your mental load. And that’s why I do it.
Because I loved it so much, I committed — or said I was committing — to another month of no scrolling in October. However, this time I still had the app on my phone (simply because I find it the most convenient way to post to stories). Mistake. This has not been a month of zero scrolling. I’ve scrolled less than I would have without the intention, but I’ve definitely scrolled. The difference between my two months was that one month, I only had Instagram on my iPad (a win! It made it so easy), and this month, I had the app on my phone. A miss! Haha, it made it way too easy to pop on and check in during quiet moments, or moments when I wanted to pause. The problem is, I prefer to pause in other ways. Read a book, have a cup of tea, play with the dogs, take a short walk, prep dinner, talk with my people, etc. So, I deleted the app again just yesterday. If I need to post, I’ll do it the less convenient way: from the iPad (which, actually, they’ve now made an Instagram app for, so it’s truly more convenient). Share pictures to iCloud, link iPad to iCloud, and you’re set!
I also have a much easier time blogging when I’m off social media. It’s like my brain can store up the things that I want to share and I can come here and share them in long form, rather than sharing brief thoughts through the day as they come.
Anyway, I’m not sure what I want to share today. I just wanted to pop in and write a post — an update, of sorts — about what this month has been like. It’s been a full month around here, but one filled with things that feel important, which I love. We’ve been loving the cooler weather. It feels so good to get outside and walk in the crisp fall air. The leaves are changing colors. The wind has picked back up. The nights are dark (which is actually really lovely when you have a four-year-old who doesn’t understand that it’s time for bed when the sun is still out). Selah has been enjoying gymnastics on Monday evenings. She has school, and I work on Tuesdays and Thursdays. On Wednesdays, we attend Bible study, which she loves because she gets to run around with friends for two hours. Friday through Sunday, our only ongoing commitment is church, and then we have lots of space to fill with what we say yes to. I try my best to give us a good balance of time at home and maybe one outing a day—usually something fun and kid-centered for Selah, which truly fills our buckets. We have spent a considerable amount of time at home since getting our puppy, Mollie, a few months ago. We don’t have a fence (I am leaning more and more towards getting one), so we stick around quite a bit. It’s good, she’s gotten us outside and had us together as a family even more.
I started reading “Renovation of the Heart” by Dallas Willard this morning. That’s what got me in the mood to write something! It’s so introspective and intriguing, which I love. I’m going to read it incredibly slowly. Slow enough that I can meditate on what I’ve read each day. My prayer is to be slow, mindful, and honestly say yes to the Holy Spirit doing a work in my soul as I read it. Those are my favorite books to read.
I shared in my last blog post that I’ve been on a “health journey” over the past six months. I wish there were a better term for that. It’s just a season of making changes and living in the rewards and consistency that come with those changes now. That has really put me into a great flow of cooking at home daily, and I’ve been enjoying it. I feel like the girl from that movie where she cooked through Julia Child’s cookbook, except I’m cooking through Krista’s website over at joyfulhealthyeats.com. A few things I have made and genuinely loved are:
I’ve made all of these recipes multiple times. I still enjoy baking sourdough, which is a lot of fun for me. Recently, I’ve been making focaccia too, which pairs perfectly with hot, fresh soup or a tasty breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese, and sausage. I love making breakfast sandwiches and then wrapping them in foil for a few minutes to melt the cheese. It makes me feel like a kid getting a melty cheese breakfast biscuit from McDonald’s (no shame, haha!).
I wrote in my journal this morning that food (something my Bible study discussed today) can be God-honoring when used for connection and nourishment, enjoyed in community, rather than for comfort in isolation. Felt like a thought worth pondering—food used for connection and nourishment in community. The same could be said for movement. Of course, sometimes we eat or exercise alone, and that’s okay. For some of us, that’s how our lives are designed. That’s not wrong. But in general, the idea is that food and movement are about connection and nourishment. As I write this, I even think: connection to others, our souls, and God. Not isolation, numbing out, hiding, or shrinking ourselves. All things can be done in worship as to delight in the Lord and every good and perfect gift that comes from Him (food, drink, and our bodies included).
What else, y’all? I’ve been spending a lot of time with my private clients and the Live Brightly Community on workdays. Truly, my clients fill up my time whether I’m in sessions or talking with them on Voxer. I often Voxer while walking. It’s so fun as their coach to walk, listen, process, and share encouragement back with them through questions. I love it. One-on-one sessions have been extraordinarily special over the last two months because there is a deep hunger within everyone to focus on their relationship with God. A tremendous spiritual growth is happening. Live Brightly calls have been even more meaningful because more women are showing up for the live calls (I think it helps that we now have our Slack community as a touchpoint between calls). My one-on-one roster is currently full for new clients (see my note at the end of this post for past clients), but a spot might open up in November. You can always apply here or join us in Live Brightly as a starting point. You can be an active member or enjoy the courses and replays at your own pace – I welcome you either way!
A verse I’m meditating on right now is: Psalm 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all of your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” I have it memorized; I bring it to mind throughout the day, and I submit to God through it. It helps me not to dwell on, worry about, or think ahead. Instead, I submit my thoughts to Him throughout the day, and I trust Him. I trust that His path and plans are perfect. And I trust that He will guide me in them.
One quote I am loving as my focus for work – and this applies to anyone – is defining work in this way: Work is to honor God by loving our neighbors through service.
That’s it for the day: just some thoughts, updates, and a check-in with you.
P.S. If you’re a past client interested in returning to coaching, please don’t hesitate to send me an email. I have set aside two unique spaces for past clients who are craving a reentry, specifically for you. I’d love to support you again, and have had you on my heart. I am praying for you!