Somewhere along the line, “self-improvement” has started to look a lot like a hamster wheel with better lighting. Every podcast, ad, book, reel, and Pinterest quote is yelling at us to do more, be more, optimize more, and preferably before breakfast.
Meanwhile, a lot of us are just over here thinking,
“I’d settle for remembering why I walked into this room.”
I’ve tried the busy-busy approach. Color-coded planners. Stacked goals. Motivation speeches. That “new year, new you” pressure that somehow makes you feel behind before you even begin. And yes — I’ve had seasons where I powered through and got a lot done… but also forgot to breathe while doing it.
So this year?
I’m choosing calm over hustle.
Not the dramatic, drop-everything-and-move-to-a-monastery kind of calm.
Just… less chaos, more clarity, tiny steady steps, and zero guilt about taking things at a human pace.
I’m leaning into less clutter and more ease — in my house, my head, my schedule, and my expectations of myself. I’m tired of treating growth like a competitive sport. I don’t want my life to feel like a marathon where the medal is just another to-do list.
Instead, I want space.
• Literal space — like countertops I can actually see.
• Mental space — where a thought can land and not immediately get trampled.
• Emotional space — where I’m not beating myself up for being human.
Because here’s what I’ve noticed: frenzy doesn’t stick. It burns hot and burns out. But slow, steady shifts? Tiny changes wrapped in grace? Those actually have a shot.
I want growth that feels like breathing room, not boot camp.
And I want that for you, too — without pressure. No “you must reinvent your life by Tuesday” energy. More “hey, what if we tried one small thing and just… kept going?” vibes.
If you’ve ever felt like the world is sprinting while you’re just trying not to lose your car keys, you’re my people. Pull up a spot on the couch — comfy pants welcome. This is a walk-together kind of space, not a guru-on-a-mountain-top situation. I’ll share what I’m learning, what’s working, what absolutely isn’t, and probably a few things I tried that sounded smart on Pinterest but were not, in fact, my brightest moment.
You don’t need to flip your life upside-down to move forward.
You don’t need a ten-step system or a stack of new personality-altering habits.
Sometimes the most faithful, courageous thing is simply taking the next doable step… calmly.
Here's a good first doable step...
You know how some electronics have that “reset” button? I’ve decided my brain needs one too. Not a factory reset — just a quick “let’s not spiral about that long to-do list” kind of reset.
So I’ve started using a tiny breath prayer. It’s short. It’s peaceful. It doesn’t require a yoga mat or a Himalayan retreat. Just a breath and a whisper. Let me explain...
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23 (KJV)
🌿 A Quiet Lesson from Psalm 37:23
I love this verse because it reminds me that God isn’t asking me to hold my whole life together. He’s not handing me a giant map and saying, “Figure it out.” He’s simply guiding my steps — one at a time.
Most of the stress I feel shows up when I start thinking ten steps ahead. I try to plan, fix, predict, control… and suddenly my brain is overwhelmed. This verse gently pulls me back. It’s like God saying:
“Hey… just walk with Me. I’ve got the path handled.”
And if God is ordering the steps, He’s also setting the pace. We don’t have to sprint to stay in His will. We don’t have to panic that we’re falling behind. We can slow down and trust that He’s already ahead of us.
That’s why this little breath prayer works so well — it helps my heart remember what’s already true.
🕊 The Breath Prayer
Inhale:
“Lord, order my steps…”
Exhale:
“…and quiet my pace.”
(Inspired by Psalm 37:23)
✨ How to Use It
Use this anytime your thoughts begin to race, or just before starting a task, conversation, or new day.
1. Pause for a moment.
Let your shoulders soften. Unclench your jaw. Let the moment be simple.
2. Breathe in slowly and pray:
“Lord, order my steps…”
Picture God guiding you to the next right thing—not everything.
3. Breathe out gently and pray:
“…and quiet my pace.”
Let the exhale release hurry, overthinking, and frantic energy.
4. Sit with the stillness for a second.
No pressure to “feel” anything— just allow truth to settle in.
You can repeat it 2–3 times, or just once. Even one prayerful breath can re-orient your heart.
This isn’t about mastering a technique.
It’s about returning to the God who walks with us—step by step, at a pace soaked in peace.
And that’s a rhythm worth learning.
And here's a little freebie for you from me:
Save this image and use it as your phone's wallpaper/home screen - I did and I like having this little reminder close at hand throughout the day!
So that’s the plan this year:
Less noise.
More peace.
Tiny shifts.
Plenty of grace.
No gold stars required.
And if your pace is slow?
Good. Mine is too. Let’s walk it together. 💛
If you’ve made it to the bottom of this post, I’m guessing something here resonated—whether it’s navigating grief and growth, diving into natural wellness, or just trying to live a more intentional life in a fast-paced world.
This space is where I share what I’m learning (and unlearning), the tools that are helping me along the way, and the little things that bring joy, healing, and clarity—even on the hard days.
This space is where I share what I’m learning (and unlearning), the tools that are helping me along the way, and the little things that bring joy, healing, and clarity—even on the hard days.
Want in?
You’re invited to join my newsletter, Finding What Works—a weekly-ish note from me with practical wellness tips, nostalgic nods for GenX souls, and honest reflections from someone who’s still figuring it all out (but loves sharing the good stuff along the way).
This isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about finding what supports us, what lights us up, and what brings us back to ourselves—together.
You’re invited to join my newsletter, Finding What Works—a weekly-ish note from me with practical wellness tips, nostalgic nods for GenX souls, and honest reflections from someone who’s still figuring it all out (but loves sharing the good stuff along the way).
This isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about finding what supports us, what lights us up, and what brings us back to ourselves—together.
Click here to subscribe and come along for the ride. I’d love to have you in my corner.
Have a question or something to share?
✨ My blog exists because I know what it feels like to keep everything jumbled in your head — like a messy pile of clothes you can’t sort through.
Writing it all down brings clarity, calm, and sometimes even healing answers I didn’t know I was looking for.
Honestly, that’s why I keep showing up to write — it helps me make sense of things.
Even if you have no intentions of ever publishing your work, I highly recommend writing stuff down. It doesn't have to be a literary masterpiece or even full, grammatically correct sentences... just dump those random thoughts onto paper... you'll see what I mean.
*This blog centers the GenX experience, simply because that’s the lens I live through—but anyone looking for connection, natural wellness, grief support, or a little real-talk in this messy stage of life is more than welcome.
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