Hello There!
Summer is often painted as a season of hustle—gardens to tend, projects to build, picnics to host, goals to crush. But here, on our semi-homesteading journey and through the heartache of losing our son Jayd, we’ve learned something deeply freeing:
Sometimes the greatest growth doesn’t come from doing more, but from learning to be still.
This year, that stillness has taken on new meaning. We’re in a season of waiting—waiting to break ground on our barndominium, waiting for doors to open, waiting as the soil of our lives continues to shift and settle after loss. It’s a quiet ache and a quiet hope, living side by side.
But in the middle of it all, we’re learning that less can actually feel like more.
🌿 We Didn’t Come Here to Be Busy
One of the biggest lessons we’ve learned is that life isn’t about checking off every task. Especially after walking through Jayd’s illness and his passing, we see time differently now. We feel the weight of every moment—not as something to conquer, but as something to cherish.
We didn’t choose this slower life to simply stay busy in a new setting. We chose it to heal. To breathe. To remember what matters most.
Our “Less Is More” Summer Looks Like This:
- More front porch time, fewer scroll-through-our-phones moments
Even though our home isn’t built yet, we still make space for peace. There’s beauty in simply watching the sky turn shades of fire and gold while the crickets hum a familiar tune. - More simple meals, fewer complicated plans
The meals that comfort us lately are the ones that feel like home—fresh tomatoes, garden cucumbers, warm cornbread, and sweet tea in a Mason jar. - More sitting under the trees, less sprinting through the heat
There’s no perfect place to grieve or to dream—so we lay a blanket in the grass and let the breeze do the talking. - More quiet, less noise
In this season, we’re learning to listen—to each other, to creation, and most of all, to God. His whispers have met us in the stillness more than in the striving.
5 Simple Ways to Embrace a Slower, More Meaningful Summer
If you’re in a season of healing, waiting, or even just trying to find your footing again, here are some gentle ways to create space for peace in your everyday life:
- Create a Morning Moment
Before the day begins, step outside with your coffee or tea—no phone, no to-do list. Just breathe and thank God for a new day. - Start a “Gratitude Garden” Journal
Each evening, write down three small things that brought comfort or beauty today—birdsong, a kind word, a breeze through the window. - Simplify a Meal & Eat It Outside
Choose one night a week to prepare a humble, soul-soothing meal and eat it on the porch, patio, or even a blanket on the ground. - Practice a 10-Minute Quiet Time
Whether it’s reading a verse, journaling a prayer, or just sitting in stillness—give your soul a little room to breathe each day. - Say “No” So You Can Say “Yes”
Protect your rest by letting go of one thing that feels like pressure, and use that space to connect—with God, your family, or even just yourself.
It’s Okay to Pause
Sometimes waiting can feel like a void. But for us, it’s becoming sacred ground.
We’re not just waiting to build a house—we’re letting God rebuild our hearts.
If you’re walking through your own season of grief, change, or stillness, I hope you feel seen here. It’s okay to let go of the pressure. It’s okay to trade busyness for healing.
The moments that truly fill us up?
They’re usually the quiet ones. The slow ones. The ones where your heart finally exhales.
Let’s Chat
Are you in a season of waiting or healing too?
We’d love to hear how you’re embracing the quieter side of summer—whether sitting under the stars or learning to rest again.
Drop a comment below, and if this post touched your heart, share it with someone who needs the reminder:
You don’t have to do more to be whole. Sometimes, just being is enough.
Lord Bless You,
Michelle
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