Hi Lady! At this time of year, we're facing increased commitments, increased stressful interactions (with in-laws, family of origin, etc.), AND we want to make meaningful Advent resolutions in order to enter into the "already...not yet" of this season and living it in light of eternity.

When it comes to commitments, I'd love for you to ask "What do I really want to happen?" and then to modify what those line items look like (esp if, for ex, the thing you really want to happen is to make someone you love happy, and isn't easy or enjoyable for you).

When it comes to stressful personal interactions, how can you spend more time in the Lord's presence to be filled with trust in His mercy so that you can maintain your peace in those tense or painful moments?

And as you craft an Advent resolution, not from a place of panic or punishment, but with an eye to opening yourself up to the soul-level ache we each have ("the God-shaped hole in our heart," I've heard it called), I share a couple quotes from the book I'm committing to reread this Advent.

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Hi Lady! I look at 4 months postpartum as a key transition point: your hormones are still likely pretty low if you're breastfeeding but your daily activities are more or less back to normal (including your 'new normal'). Here's what this key transition time looks like for me in terms of sleep, activitity level, a baby milestone, and the outside support I'm still needing.

If you enjoyed this episode, I'd love for you to SUBSCRIBE and RATE the podcast and SHARE it with a mom friend. Get in touch or share your free thing of the week or one small change on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose or annemarie@postpartumonpurpose.com.

Hi Lady!

This week wraps up an informal 3-part miniseries. The first episode (#66) addressed what to do when everyone (thinks they) need you at once, with two movie quotes to make you laugh and help you shift your mindset about (and perhaps during) those moments. The second episode (#67) offered some logistical or practical considerations for triaging the times when your time and attention are in high demand, often from pre-rational people. ;) This episode encourages the use of buffers, breaks, moments of peace and rest and recovery in your day so that one stressful interaction doesn't bleed into (or scribble all over) the rest of your day.

First, categorize the activities in your day based on quadrants of an 'energy grid.' Red and yellow deplete you, blue and green build you back up. I shared examples of my own R,Y,B, and G activities. If that metaphor doesn't work for you, you can use The Mindful Catholic book's 'nourishing or depleting' classification (spoiler: some activities will be both!). I shared the first half of my (sample) day and what I consider N, D, or both.

If you enjoyed this episode, please SUBSCRIBE, RATE the podcast (this helps other moms find it!) and SHARE with a mom friend. Send me your 'free thing of the week' or 'one small change' to be mentioned (anonymously) in a future episode! Get in touch on Instagram @postpartumonpurpose or annemarie@postpartumonpurpose.com.