Welcome to this week’s Five Minute Friday. Our instructions, via creator Kate Motaung: “Write for five minutes on the word of the week. This is meant to be a free write, which means: no editing, no over-thinking, no worrying about perfect grammar or punctuation.” Today’s prompt: GUIDE .
Have you ever used Pablo, Buffer’s image system? It has little grid lines, one horizontal and one vertical, that help you make sure your image is perfectly centered.
I use PicMonkey too, and begged them several times to have guide lines too. They eventually did (but probably not because of me…). The funny thing is although the guide lines/grid marks were helpful, they also constrained my ability to move my image around (but I was still glad to have them!).
I almost didn’t write tonight. I have been battling a “bug” the last 48 hours and feel more low-energy than I have felt in a long time. I suspect it’s a combo of something physical, my son leaving home (hello empty nest), and all the financial questions we face with two kids in college and the fact that I just left one of my part-time jobs (here’s hoping my strategy there was on point!).
I think maybe I should be letting my body be my guide. It’s telling me something (rest? slow down? eat better?). It was HARD to cancel my obligation last night (to do a preview of a play for Broadway World, something I love doing). I really really really hate to let people down.
And I guess *maybe* what my body has been trying to tell me is that I have been letting myself down.
Time to cling to some effective guidance and get centered again.
What will that look like? I know nutrition is a big part of it. Also, exercise. I have let my cardiac issues back me into a corner on that and it’s time to take control again, to prevail over the fear that comes with almost any workout lately.
I also hope my kids feel the effects of the guide I tried to be over the years of their childhoods. Now that they are out of the house, there’s no more micromanaging, no more constant face-to-face. I have to hope the guidance I gave took.
This post is part of the weekly Five Minute Friday linkup.
Wife of one, Mom of two, Friend of many. My pronouns are she/her/hers.
Paula, first and foremost it’s good to see you here, and I think I speak for a whole lot of people when I say that I’m glad you made the effort tonight. Thank you!
I’m kind of old-school. When lining up images I use a steel ruler with a cork backing, and hold it against the screen. I’m not kidding, but any rumours that I taught Noah his boatbuilding skills are entirely false.
I just needed to polish up his technique.
Ha ha ha ha I’m sure Noah and you would be in some type of lockstep! For PicMonkey, I was using a sheet of paper and little pen marks. It was very unscientific. But I find myself turning the grid things off sometimes because they make it hard for me to put my image exactly where I want it. There’s a life analogy in there somewhere!
I agree, I think sometimes we do need to listen to our bodies and they will guide us in what we need whether that’s good choices about food and exercise or that it’s time to slow down and take a break. Hope you feel better soon and praying against the fear that you feel is holding you back.
Thank you — I really appreciate the hopes and the prayers. They’re definitely needed and I am grateful. 🙂
Oh Paula, sorry you aren’t feeling well. Feel better soon. I think exercise, nutrition etc is something we all struggle with in our lives. I know I do. I’m in the 50 spot this week.
Thanks so much, Tara!
Hope you feel better – even after the weekend. I think you are wise to let your body be the guide….especially when it is needed rest and refreshing. Praying your transition to empty nest will be peaceful – and even a blessing.
Visiting from FMF
jennifer-ashesforbeauty.blogspot.com
I appreciate that so much!
I just shared a post from Ann Voskamp on my Facebook page that really hit home and talks about slowing down and listening to our bodies. I hope you are feeling well soon. I am thankful for your words today. Blessings!
Thanks Barbie!
I know I need to listen to my body more too. I am in a different season of life. I am homsechooling three little ones (my oldest is 8), but I often think that I can’t rest until my to-do list is done, and it never truly is. I read Ann Voskamp’s post today that Barbie recommended, and i found it encouraging too. Praying that you can rest and that you will feel better soon.
Thank you!! I think I need to read Ann Voskamp’s post!
I just catching your last week’s post this week. I hope you are feeling better. As for WK being out of the house, he will be fine. You are a good mom.
Yes – I’m better and thanks!