8 Lessons I Learned in 2019 – and a Teaser on What’s Coming Next

The great thing about getting to the end of a year is that we get a real chance to stop and look back at the year that we’re just finishing.  So much has changed this year, and I wanted to take some time and reflect and share some of the lessons that I’ve learned throughout the year with you all.

So what did I learn?

1.)  I learned that I need a set morning routine. 

So there are several things that I feel like I really need to do on a daily basis, and if I don’t get them done, then my day isn’t really complete.  Over the past month to month and a half, I’ve started most of my days with the following items:

•      Reading/studying the Bible and spending time in prayer
•      Reading one chapter of a book.
•      I make my bed.
•      Walking at least 1/2 mile.  – I know this doesn’t sound like a lot, and in itself, it isn’t, but if I can get going for just that half mile, then I usually do more.  I’ve been averaging 3/4 – 1 mile most days, but on busy days, I just do 1/2 a mile and some activity is better than none.
•      I spend time reading to my kids.  –  I started with just one chapter a day, but the book that I’m reading to my kids has really short chapter, so I’m reading 2 chapters to them most days.
•      I shower and get ready for my day.

Some times, my day doesn’t “start” until between 11am and noon, but these things get done, and I feel like I’ve made such progress in this area.  Now, this doesn’t happen every day, but it does happen fairly regularly.

2.)  I’ve learned that I love doing podcasts.

I’ve been a guest on a podcast called TradCatKnight.  While I’m not Catholic (I’m Presbyterian) I have very much enjoyed being on his podcast discussing preparedness.  I believe I’ve been on four times this year, and each time it is so much fun!  Next year, when my husband and I launch our twin blogs, we plan on doing a monthly podcast together.  I’m very much looking forward to it!

3.)  I’ve learned that I can pivot in my business without a lot of stress.

Taking away my weekly obligation to revamp a previous post and to post a new post to this blog has been so freeing!   I wanted to take a couple of weeks off anyway since it’s Christmas time and we are definitely busier than we usually are.  The timing just seemed right since our new blogs will are planned to launch March 1, 2020, and we need time to start developing content for that.

But so far this year, I went from posting three unique articles a week to posting one revamped article and one new article each week.  I was concerned that my numbers would drop.  They did short-term, but long-term I was doing much better with just those two articles.

Since I’ve stopped writing for this blog consistently, it’s also freed up a lot of money.  Though most people don’t realize it, running a blog takes a LOT of money.  Can I be honest with you?  It takes more than I make from this blog by FAR.  My best month from what I make on this blog on my products and what I make via placement advertising (mostly Amazon), is less than 1/3 of what it takes to run this blog.

There are ways to earn money on blogging, but having the time to run the blog, write for the blog, and develop products for the blog takes a ton more time than I currently have.  But I’ve learned that I can make changes without stressing over those changes.  Honestly, I was very much as peace with my blogging decisions this year.

4.)  I’ve felt very stingy with my time this year. 

I don’t know if this is because I’ve focused too much on my blog, but I felt like I said, “No” to a LOT of things this year.   This is something I want to change this next year.  I want to open up my home at least once a month to either people in from our church or in our community, but I want to do it in a way that we don’t feel overwhelmed as a family.

At the same time, I want to maintain some of the better habits that I’m putting into place in my morning routine, so I need to guard my morning time and not make early morning appointments.

5.)  I’ve done great now and again exercising, but I’ve not been consistent.

For three consecutive months earlier this year, I walked just under or just over 50 miles/month.  I really pushed it.  I took extra walks and spent a lot of time with my sneakers on.  Then I didn’t do anything for like 3-4 months before I started exercising again.  I really need to just be consistent, even if it is shorter walks more regularly.

6.)  I’ve not spent as much time with my kids as I want to.

Now, I’ve spent time with my kids.  I’ve even spent significant time with ONE of my kids, but not with all five, and all five of them need their Mom speaking into their lives regularly.  I’m hoping to come up with a weekly time that I take out a different child each week so that the two of us can spend one-on-one time, even if it’s just a trip to the grocery store.

7.)  I’m afraid of putting myself out there.

I know that has to sound utterly ridiculous for a blogger who’s been at it for 2 years, but these fears are real.  What if I develop a product and NO ONE buys it?  What if I do a video and everyone sees how overweight I am – Will they think I shouldn’t be blogging on preparedness (This has been my biggest fear of any of them).  I don’t have tangible ways in which to tackle this one yet.

I’ve been working on my weight.  I’ve been intermittent fasting for over a month now, and despite my fasting 20 hours a day 3-5 days a week, I’ve not lost a THING.  My body does not release weight.  Yes, I’ve had all my Thyroid hormones checked.  Yep, I’ve had my gut biome checked.  Yes, I’ve had my adrenals checked.  They are technically all fine, but just like when I walked at or near 50 miles a month three months in a row, I haven’t lost a thing.

8.)  While I love preparedness, I miss talking with people about my Savior and how He changed me and as a result of that the way I live life.

This is really what is motivating the change in my blogging and the new blog that I will be running in tandem with my husband and his new blog.

My desire is to share my love of God with people in such a way that it makes them WANT to love Him.  I want to change people’s minds about what Christianity REALLY looks like (cause I’m kinda crazy in how I live out my Christianity).  I want to be able to really talk about making a house a home and why that flows out of my Christianity.  Oh, my heart’s desire is also to be able to talk about cooking from scratch in a way that people will actually want to read.  No one wants to read about that on preparedness blogs because it’s not ‘glamorous’ enough.  Talking about TEOTWAWKI gets much more reader hits than making salad dressings from scratch.

But most of all, I want people to love God even more than I do, and I want to share Him with people!

What About You?

What lessons have you learned in 2019, and how do you want to see your life change in 2020?  I’d love to hear!  Share with us in the comments section below, so that we can all be better prepared.

Together lets Love, Learn, Practice, and Overcome

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