Hi Friends! It’s another Q & A Wednesday. Today I’m combining two questions– one about our general daily life pace, and the other about finding time for fun kitchen and wildcrafting projects. I think these questions are very much related, so I’ll address them together today. I’ll also share my best productivity tip!
Here’s the video:
Thanks for watching! As I review it, I realize that I look like I’m about to fall asleep as I tell you about our slow life pace! It’s not usually like that, but of course I do have slower days than others. I also forgot to mention the fact that I often get together with lady friends during the daytime (the luxury of having friends who don’t work full-time, or have some flexibility in their schedules.) And of course there is the normal errand running during the week– which I have to do on foot, so that slows me down, too.
How does your daily life pace feel to you? Is there something you’d like to do more or less of? Any new questions for me?
Do you think the slower pace of life is easier in Suffolk than in places you’ve lived previously? (I ask because people from other towns say the pace of life in Bury is quite slow- having never really lived anywhere else, I can’t judge for myself, and find other people’s perspectives really interesting!)
Hi Nicola! It’s hard to say… Life was also pretty slow-paced in Amberg Germany. It was such a small town. I walked to the market a few times each week, carrying a basket for my groceries. And for whatever else I needed, I walked a few doors down to a tiny supermarket. I would say life was even slower there– at the time I was in school full-time, and my daughter was home more more of the day. So it didn’t feel quite as slow, but overall, it really was. I think I got in the car once a month sometimes!
As for Bury, it really is such a small town (although not quite as small as Amberg.) The pace is easy, and there just isn’t much going on. I think that if there were more events/ classes/ groups I was interested in, life would be busier. Know what I mean?
Yup, it’s much easier to have a relaxed pace in life if there are no interesting groups etc tempting you to over-commit!
I like your timer tip, by the way- I have used a timer before, as I found it helped me just get started with something I was procrastinating about doing. And good point about sitting for too long- I end up sitting for hours knitting, and then wondering why I am stiff!
I am thoroughly enjoying your vlogs. That is saying a lot because I only subscribe/watch your vlog. 🙂 I love that (so far) you have chosen a different background for each vlog. I enjoy seeing your home. You have a very calm, peaceful, and beautiful home. What is the plant in the picture in the background?
You have such beautiful skin and beautiful rosy cheeks. Is the color natural? Do you have a particular skin care routine?
Can I ask you about the liver pills? Confirm, you said that they are just sliced up liver(?), then frozen, and you take them like pills? I think I have heard that in the past. Please elaborate. I have heard that it’s very healthy, but can you tell me why you take them?
You and your husband are creating such a solid, calm, peaceful, and safe foundation for Amelia. What an awesome gift you are giving her. 🙂
Hi Christina! Yes, I have thought of you as I moved to different spots to make the videos. 🙂 I hope I can do a home tour soon! The educational poster in the background is of some type of brassica, perhaps mustard. We got that at the flohmarkt (flea market) in Germany.
Thanks for the compliment on my skin (blushing.) My rosy cheeks are all natural, no blush needed. Maybe natural skincare will be a good topic for another video!
Here’s a good post all about the liver pill thing I mentioned: https://empoweredsustenance.com/the-easiest-way-to-eat-liver-no-taste-no-fuss/
Thank you so much for your comments about our parenting style– so encouraging.
I was wondering if you could tell us more about your vegetable garden in one of your upcoming Q & A sessions. Maybe you can share some tips with us, like the post you did on using sage. It would really be nice to see the garden itself, if that’s possible.
Hi Holly! I’d love to show you my garden. I keep putting it off because snails and slugs are quickly decimating everything (except for the sage!) Maybe we’ll get some hot, drier weather that will give my veggies a better shot at growing. I’d love to do a garden tour, and will be thinking of how I can do that.
I always love your blog – it’s my happy place! I suffer from adrenal fatigue & am working with a nutritionist to get back to health but I was wondering how you overcame your AF? Also, what diet do you usually follow, paleo? Perfect Health? I’m excluding vacations away ;). Thank you for introducing me to foraging, fermenting, decorating & kid’s parties ideas! I really loved the timer tip you gave, especially important when I veg on the sofa for far too long (stupid af..). I shall continue to pray for you & your family for your husband’s job placement security XX
Hi Ashley, I too had adrenal fatigue. I’m curious how yours occurred. Mine was from 26 years in law enforcement. Can I ask how did you get yours?
Hi Christina, I really noticed my exhaustion start after I had my children, almost 11 years ago. I haven’t been able to work for 4 years & I sleep when I get home from dropping off my kids at school..what a waste! I’m also certain my mom had AF when she was pregnant with me, so there may also be a connection there. I can imagine 26 years in law enforcement would cause AF..are you healed now? How did you heal yourself?
I have no idea why my name appeared as “ash” but the comment above honestly came from me! =)
Hi Ashley, thanks for this sweet note. I am sorry to hear you that you are struggling with adrenal fatigue. I have a kind of dramatic story about mine. I was diagnosed with adrenal exhaustion when I was living in Oregon, and it was very severe. I was working closely with a naturopath, and I had to really alter my lifestyle. I spent a lot of time in bed, did a lot less in general, couldn’t do any exercise for a about a year, and did quite a bit of supplementation. My sleep was really terrible, and in the end she and another doctor recommended that I take benadryl at night because nothing would resolve if I wasn’t sleeping. It was a long road, and something that I have to keep in mind now. I have a lot less stressful relationships in my life now, and know my triggers for anxiety/ cortisol floods much better and work to avoid them.
In the end it was really good for me to break my “compulsive do-er” habits. I have made peace with getting less accomplished, and focusing more on pleasure and relaxation– things that came very, very hard to me in the past. I was also easier to get along with when I stopped trying to get everything done at home. 🙂
I am wishing you well on that journey, and hope that you have some great people on your health team to help you!
Thank you so much, Ariana for your story & tips. I am about to have my cortisol tested and may start on a year of hydrocortisone b/c the supplements/adaptogens I’m taking don’t seem to help. Stress comes easily to me & I must learn to cope & chill the heck out..Relaxation techniques, mindfulness & tai chi are things I’m starting..exercise will have to wait! I have also bought one of those foam rollers you mentioned you use in your body work..my husband loves it & so do I, so thank you again for that tip otherwise we’d never have known it existed! =) xx
Oh, and we generally eat a paleo/ primal diet. This helped a lot with my sleep, body aches, and other issues!
Hi again! Yes, I tend to follow this way of eating as well..I agree with you that it helps with a host of issues! xx