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Callie R. Feyen's avatar

I love this! What a great exercise!

For a couple of years now, I've brought a paperback to the grocery store. Instead of pulling out my phone while I wait to check out, I pull out my book. My friends think I'm nuts not to use the self checkout, but I like the privilege of not being efficient. I'm so tired of efficiency. And I get to read for a few minutes. Plus, I like talking to the cashiers. Anyway, that's me adding to the list. :)

Becky Morquecho's avatar

THIS: "but I like the privilege of not being efficient." I'm with you, Callie. It's so liberating not being efficient all the time. I'm going to try this one!

Aly Prades's avatar

Oh! Another family rhythm I delight in is a family art show every Friday night after pizza. We tape up whatever we made that week in our hallway “gallery,” then each family member votes on a favorite piece for each member and the artist presents the winners and one or two of their own favorites. (We started presenting every piece, but my daughter is a prolific artist and it was taking sooo long!) my husband isn’t a visual artist, but he has presented his banana bread or sang a song for us. It’s my favorite time of the week!

Becky Morquecho's avatar

This is the cutest idea EVER! We make a lot of art around here, too. I'm so happy you shared this. I'll be presenting this idea to my family today! I have a feeling my daughter will love it. Maybe my hubby can present things like, "I stained the deck." Ha ha.

Fay Gordon's avatar

Love this. We do Shabbat dinner on Friday nights and I always set the table - I cant believe I never thought to ask my kids to do that. Changing that tomorrow! Thanks for these ideas.

Becky Morquecho's avatar

Have you read The Friday Nights of Nana by Amy Hest and gorgeous illustrations by Claire A. Nivola?! It's such a beautiful book. Love that you have this tradition, Fay!

Laura Rennie's avatar

So here for all of this!!

Becky Morquecho's avatar

Thanks, Laura! I have a feeling you have some fun family rhythms up your sleeve?!

Ashley L Case's avatar

I’m in! I too am tired of being weary from all the noise and pressure and am committed to protecting my peace and reserving my energy for what matters most. I love your list so so much! I feel inspired and encouraged by you, always.❤️❤️❤️ I will add owling and/or bird watching to this list 🦉🦅

Becky Morquecho's avatar

Bird watching!! Such a fun one. We have become birders over here, too. We have an owl that keeps coming back and it's been so fun to see and hear it. Love you, friend!

Vanessa Vis - Anne Oft Musing's avatar

What a comprehensive list. We like taking butcher paper and drawing on it together.

Becky Morquecho's avatar

This is such a simple but fun idea! We did this a lot when my daughter was younger but now I'm thinking we should revisit this.

Aly Prades's avatar

Love this, Becky! I got a clock radio/alarm clock so my phone can sleep in another room and I’m trying not to check it before I drop the kids off at school. Loving my mornings now!

Becky Morquecho's avatar

This is literally what I'm doing today!! Buying an alarm clock. Thanks for the push, Aly!

Kym VdP's avatar

This is such a good list. Definitely saving it! One thing that's helped me slow down is leaving my phone in one spot in the kitchen, using app blockers so I can't access the addictive apps all day long and I don't take my phone into my bedroom at night. This pushes me to read or to write by hand. Oh and one of my absolute favourite times of day is when I sit with my two girls in their bedroom before bed and read them a good book. Reading aloud is so so fun!!

Becky Morquecho's avatar

Love these, Kym! Yes, leaving the phone in one spot is so helpful! Sometimes, even a spot in the kitchen is too accessible for me and I have to move it to the mantel in the living room! I smiled reading about your favorite time of day. You're a good mom. <3

Wendy Mengel's avatar

I love this so much, Becky. These are beautiful ideas, and so important in the quest of finding joy and turning off the excess noise.

Becky Morquecho's avatar

Thanks Wendy! Would love to hear what you do to fight the noise...

Bekah Buchterkirchen's avatar

This was such a delightful read! Not only was I smiling while seeing myself in so much of what you shared, but it gave me excellent (and highly practical—thank youuuuu!) ideas as we head into the weekend. Thanks for this list!

Becky Morquecho's avatar

Love that we have a lot of these things in common, Bekah!

Bekah Buchterkirchen's avatar

Me too!

Megan Hogg's avatar

What a fantastic list! And I LOVE that picture of you!!! This made me giggle: “I feel so rebellious turning my alarm clock off and opening my Bible. What a bad a*#, I know.” It is rebellious, though! In a good way. I love it :)

Becky Morquecho's avatar

Just give me a hand saw and I'm content! Thanks for reading, Megan!!

Megan Hogg's avatar

What a boss!! 😆

Becky Morquecho's avatar

Free therapy, baby!