A time to reset, reconnect and trust the process..

Hello sweet mamas, During this time when we are all feeling a little unsettled it forces us to pause and focus our attention on what really matters most. It is our relationships, our connection with loved ones, family and friends that gives us strength. With schools & churches closed and so many activities cancelled or postponed it forces us to quiet our minds and calm the chaos of many of our lives. Our days over the next few weeks will not be structured around all the activities, set events or appointments. They will be about our children, our interactions, our connections. It may feel unfamiliar for some, comforting for others but ultimately this time can be seen as an opportunity to reset together as a family unit. Slow down, be intentional, see each other more clearly and respond to each other with more understanding.

This weekend I took the opportunity to start some decluttering. I feel like every room in our house needs to be cleared, cleaned and decluttered but I managed to tidy the kids desks (in preparation for homeschool) sort out the linen cupboard and bathrooms. I also am trying to declutter my mind, set priorities and actually be intentional about change so possibilities can open up. I absolutely am fully aware and expect that it’s a gradual process but I feel like now more than ever it’s a good time to regroup, check in with where you’re at and streamline things as best we can; physically, emotionally, mentally: declutter and gain clarity.

Let us embrace this time to also be mindful of those suffering and directly affected both physically and emotionally. We are all uncertain and we need to pull together and be united as ultimately there is only so much we can control.

I'm personally going from homeschooling my oldest (11) to now my two boys (10 and 6) as well and I have little Gia (my 16 month old) in the mix of it all! It is definately going to bring with it some challenges but we just have to ride the wave and soak up some sun (those bits of joy) where we can:)

We are social beings and our need for connection and interaction is what helps to keep us moving forward. I encourage you to continue to connect with friends and family through phone calls, zoom/Skype or FaceTime. Creating groups on social media or via group messages/emails to encourage and support each other may be a good idea. It may especially be difficult for new moms out there, so be sure to reach out if you are feeling particularly lonely or isolated. And if you’re on the other side and know of a new mom, be sure to check in with her. We were all on that early season of motherhood at some point💗

We’re all in this together and I’m certain that there are many positives that will come out of this. Let’s hold the vision, trust the process and embrace the joy in the “everydayness“ as we step into this new chapter.

Much love and always dancing alongside you in motherhood,

Julia xo

This is a picture I captured the other morning without them knowing. They were all drawing together😌Such a precious moment that doesn’t happen often💞

P.S Be sure to stay connected and join our fb group https://www.facebook.com/groups/groovaroovista/?ref=share

Follow Joyful Connections fb page too☺️

Time Change and Time for Change.

With the time change it prompted me to put some thoughts down about “Time for change.” I woke up this morning knowing it’s the ’times change’ from today but while making tea and looking out the kitchen window at the sunny new morning my whole being breathed a breathe filled with a sense of “it’s time for change.” Change for me personally, change for my family rythmn which has been I a bit (or rather a lot) of chaos, change for day to day functioning, change because our children are each going through their own developmental transitions and we (Matt and I) need to get with it and figure out how to adapt in order to function more smoothly, calmly, peacefully.

Change can be due to a recognised need that things are not functionally well and therefore decisions need to made to create more harmony; change can also be more out of our control as life‘s circumstances may bring us abruptly to make decisions which will bring about more change; or change can also be due to wanting to shift gears in career path, moving house, having a baby but whatever the need for change, it brings a lot with it.

I feel like throughout motherhood we are constantly making adaptations, changing as our little ones evolve through each stage. We are forced to make changes to function better in our circumstances. Change takes courage, commitment, perseverance. It can feel uncomfortable, make us feel vulnerable and often causes doubt and uncertainty. Especially as moms, change is inevitable, it is constant and we have to roll with it, make decisions and adapt accordingly. Whatever change you might be going through in your motherhood journey at the moment, be it a personal realization for yourself (eg needing/wanting to exercise more) deciding to sleep train your lil one, starting solids, potty training, going back to work or deciding to stay home, or both! Know that it is a process. Change is not easy even if you know it’s for the better because with change means letting go of comfort, letting go of security and familiarity (no matter how disruptive that might be)

To make a change you have to be willing to lose in order to gain. The tricky part too is once you are certain that it’s time for things to change, it takes the next steps, a plan, consistency to follow through and reach the other side. Sometimes we may not even know the end point until we begin..and when you don’t know where to begin, just start!

Here‘s to embracing change! (and the time change;) Hold the vision, trust the process and go! I added a few quotes below which may resonate with you😌 💞

Dancing alongside you in Motherhood,

Julia xo

Stepping into a New Year..

Hello all! A new decade is upon us!

I love this picture I captured at Big Bear of my oldest holding my youngest looking out at the frozen lake❄️We we’re in Lake Arrowhead over the last 5 days and had some beautiful moments in the snow🥰☃️🏔 When we arrived last Saturday, we were greeted by such majestic beauty of the snowy mountains! and the new fallen snow!so fresh, white,untouched..that image makes me think of this New Year before us..waiting to be stepped into..

A new decade is upon us! A new year, new opportunities, a feeling of having a clean slate.

You may have goals, a vision of how you want 2020 to look..but what I propose is yes, make the goals, the plans, the changes but do so with clarity and purpose.

•Find those big rocks in your life that are priority. (Write them down)

•Use a planner or calendar to write things down

•Commit to those big rocks and priorities and then look at all the other stuff and know which of those balls you are juggling are glass and which you can let go of.

•Create the vision,the plans,the steps but then surrender it prayerfully, trust, and go for it! ~Hold the vision, trust the process.

•Try to embrace the moments of life, striving to be fully present in each day.

•Be gentle with yourself (and others)

~ No matter what season of life (and motherhood) you may be in..give yourself the grace you need when you need it, to do what needs to be done and sometimes it is literally what is in front of you that day.

•Find gratitude in all the things.especially the small,simple,everyday things. It will bring joy to your heart❤️

•It’s the connections we have with God,ourselves,our spouse,children,family,friends,the person in the grocery store, the person on the side of the road,the connections we have as human beings that matters most❤️

Find joy in those connections❤️

However 2020 may unfold, choose to live joyfully!in.it.all🥰🙏🏻

#joyfulconnections

#dancingthroughmotherhood

#choosejoyeveninthechaos💞