What Do I Do All Year?
Apparently, there’s a rumor going around about how I spend my days. (Don’t worry—I won’t repeat it. I’m not in the business of spreading rumors.) Instead, let me set the record straight and show you what life actually looks like for me.
Seasons of Rhythm
Every spring and summer, I convince myself that I’ll finally get to sleep in, toss out the schedule, and live in a carefree haze. Spoiler alert: it never happens.
I thrive in routine. Structure gives me security, purpose, and meaning. Don’t get me wrong—I’ve learned to be flexible, rest when I need it, and embrace some change (I really do love sleep). But total “free time”? Not my thing.
That’s why this past summer I gave myself a mission—archiving, reading, editing, writing 40+ hours a week, and posting daily. Not because I was chasing views, but because it was my creative outlet. My little dance with words. And yes, I hoped people enjoyed it—but mostly, I loved showing up for it.
Back-to-School Flow
Now that school’s back in session, I’m happy to be in full routine again. My daughter does online school, I write from home, and I also work as a substitute teacher. Oh—and add in the fact that we’re living between West Texas and South Texas, about five hours apart. Flexibility is essential, but learning to say no is just as important. We will get there-
Evenings that Save Me
Insomnia and I have been long-term roommates. The only way to keep it in check is a strong nighttime routine. For me, that means a clean and clutter-free house (messy house = messy head). Most evenings after dinner, I’ll take a walk with my daughter, call a friend, or just soak in the peace and quiet.
By 9–10 p.m., it’s shutdown time. Vitamins, dogs fed, face washed, stretching, and a little time with God. Then I set up my space for sleep—essential oils, sound machine, low lighting. For my birthday, my son gave me a heated mask massager (migraine relief + instant relaxation = new bedtime best friend).
When I wake at 2 or 3 a.m.—because of course I do—I try journaling apps or a podcast. If that doesn’t work, sometimes I just get up and cook or write. Because honestly, the only way out of an overthinking brain is to let it out.
Mornings that Matter
I start the morning with what I call “my meds”—a cocktail of supplements and a big glass of water. Then I feed my dog, because she is the real boss around here (I swear she can tell time better than I can.) After that, I move my body—yoga, stretching, or a workout—before diving into the day.
Here’s my confession: I’m still a paper-planner girl. Yep—actual pen and paper. Color-coded, scribbled, doodled like it’s 1995. Sure, I copy important things into Google Calendar so my family knows what’s going on (no one is reading my rainbow pen notes but me), but I can’t give up my planner. If only the Google Calendar would let me doodle flowers in the margins- it might be a game changer!
Food & Fuel
My routine may change depending on where I am—West Texas or South Texas—but a few things stay the same: slow mornings, good conversations, and taking care of myself and my family.
I don’t do the traditional breakfast thing. I drink water and coffee first, take my probiotic, then around 10 or 10:30, I’ll eat. Usually two eggs with veggies, maybe some avocado, cheese, and hot sauce. If I’m feeling fancy, it’s an omelet; if not, just a good scramble.
I’m more of a snacker through the day—nuts, seeds, jerky, or meat-and-cheese packs to keep me going. Lunch isn’t really my thing unless it’s planned. Dinner, though? That’s my favorite. I try to listen to my body and stop when I’m full (leftovers are my friend). Pizza, mac ’n’ cheese—sure, if I want it, I’ll have it, but usually a few bites are plenty. Most nights it’s protein, a healthy carb, and veggies (though I know they’re not easy for everyone to digest—me included).
Dinner is my biggest meal because that’s when my body needs fuel to repair and reset overnight. It goes against the old “don’t eat late” rule, but for me it works. Better sleep = better days. And when you live with insomnia, that’s priceless.
Living with Chronic Pain
I’ve shared before that I live with an autoimmune disorder connected to my thyroid, as well as fibromyalgia. What that really means is that pain is my constant companion. Some days it whispers in the background, manageable but never gone. Other days, it shouts—foggy thinking, widespread pain throughout my body, a heaviness that makes even simple tasks feel uphill.
It’s not something I “get over” or push past. It’s there when I wake up, there when I go to bed, and always humming beneath the surface. Stress, the weather shifting, getting sick, even traveling—all of these can turn the volume up. Being told to drink more water or go see a doctor only pisses me off. Or asking if I am sick again. No, I am still… “sick”… I still have this… forever! While I’ve learned to carry it with a high pain tolerance, the truth is: every day, I carry it. I wish people would listen and understand.
This is why my routines matter so much. They aren’t about being rigid or controlling—they’re about survival and being able to thrive. About creating pockets of safety and stability in a body that doesn’t always feel steady. Being intentional with what I eat, how I move, and the rhythms I keep has helped lessen the load. It’s not perfect, but it’s better.
Still, even on the hardest days, what holds me isn’t just vitamins, clean eating, or stretching. It’s prayer. It’s knowing I don’t carry this alone. Jesus steadies me when the pain spikes, when the fog rolls in, when I want to give up. That’s why my routine always begins and ends with Him—because without Him, none of the other stuff would matter.
The Rhythm That Keeps Me
So no, it’s not glamorous. It’s messy, repetitive, and maybe even boring from the outside. But it’s mine. It’s me and my people, doing life together the best we can.
And maybe that’s the point—life doesn’t have to be flashy to be full. Sometimes it just has to be steady, honest, and rooted in the right things for “you.” For me, that’s faith, family, and showing up to the routine that keeps me going.
So, am I busy? Sure, in my way. It is my kind of busy, with the right things. Does that make me feel “important” in some way? Not really. I don’t believe busyness is the badge of worth. We all have our lives—yours looks different than mine, and that’s how it should be. The real obligation is to live it well.
And living it well often means saying “no”—sometimes upsetting people in the process. But this is your one life. Your one body. Your one marriage. Your one-time raising kids. You only get this one go-around.
So how do you want to live it? I ask myself that question daily. It’s a reminder that God expects something from me in how I arrive at the day—not my neighbor, not my mother-in-law, not Sally (whoever she is). Him.
Maybe the rumors are true after all. 😎💛
Sk-
Woven in the Fabric
If you’ve ever felt like your life is equal parts messy, busy, and beautifully ordinary—you’re not alone. My rhythms might not look like yours, but the heart of it is the same: faith, family, and figuring it out as we go.
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