Field Notes from January
Keeping things real, January 2026 was messy. Good, bad, and ugly.
I really don’t like winter, I can’t explain it very well, but my physical and mental health are at there worst during the winter. So life is messy. I recently started a new part time job, and when you have been the only one setting your schedule for years, it’s an adjustment to someone else sending you a schedule once a week and changing it. I’m not saying it’s bad, it’s what I need for this chapter of life, it’s just different. It is frustrating, but there are good outcomes to this as well. I value my time more, I will admit I have wasted a lot of my own time in recent months. When I have work 5 days a week, Biblical Citizenship Class to co teach, while running a photography business, start a blog. I have to manage my time better, to get everything on my to do list done. Which I’m grateful for! So I’m working on putting new systems in place to use my limited time, money and energy to the best use.
So the first lesson I wrote down this month was- just because you try something doesn’t mean you have to like it
I learned this one at my first Falconry meet, and I will add to that note, that even if you still like it, if it doesn’t aline with your priorities it’s okay to not continue. I’m trying to keep this short and sweet so… Falconry is really cool, but it requires a time commitment I can’t do right now, and even if I could spending the time to train and hunt a falcon and a dog, doesn’t fit into what I feel like God has called on my life. Which again being honest I’m still trying to figure out.
Second lesson- Time management is very important when you are trying to work multiple job and projects
I love my planner, but I still forget things all the time. I’m trying to keep up with it all. But I don’t have the systems in place right now, to handle the work load I’m trying to handle. I can’t realistically build a photography business, teach homeschool classes, take online classes, work a part time job, write for this blog, and work on a novel, and spend time training martial arts, train with my puppy, and spend time with my family and I God’s word. It’s not possible.
Which kind of leads into another lesson- field note I wrote down and that is- When things are messy you don’t need more time scrolling on your phone, or self care, you need better systems and to prioritize time with God.
We all know scrolling doesn’t help, it makes us happy for a little while then we need another “fix.” When I am not reading the Bible, when I’m not writing my prayers down, my life feels so much more messy. And after spending consistent time in His word life was lighter. I haven’t in a few days and life is so messy. I’m not saying life is easier when you are reading your bible, this is not a property gospel, but life feels easier when you rely on Him and not yourself. But when we focus on the wrong things, our mental, spiritual and physical health suffer.
Another double note- Church should be a supplement to your spiritual health not your only nutrition. And secondly the church is not a building it’s the people in the building.
My pastor explained it as, you can live off only ensure drinks, or protein drinks, but how healthy is that in the long term? Can you survive only eating 1-2 times a week? Not really. We starve our souls, and then wonder why our spiritual life is weak. Or dead.
Only have a couple left- Reading a good book and learning something is better than reading a whole lot of books and not remembering anything
I read Mere Chrisitianity for the first time and wow! I’m gonna have to write a whole post on that one! When I can get my thoughts together. But I will say I tried annotating for the first time, Its part of my Experiment 22, and so far I really like it.
Lastly- You don’t have to talk to friends everyday life is busy, you’re both growing up but be sure to send them a text when you get home (especially if they ask you too)
Sometimes it uncomfortable, and sometimes its been “too long” but sometimes its also worth it to shoot that text a friend you haven’t heard from in a while, or drive two- three hours for your friends wedding shower. And sometimes it’s sitting in the car after bible study just talking. Don’t play the if they wanted to they would game, just be the one to start the conversation again.