Guess Who's Back??? 3 Important Lessons I've Learned While Being Away & Why I'm Actually Glad My Computer Broke

Meee!!!!

   Happy Friday, my friends. I am very excited to announce that after a couple of very eventful months with no computer, I have officially returned to Homemaker in Heels! I'm not sure in I have ever been happier to be doing a blog post than I am at this very second. (Can you tell I'm just a little bit excited? haha) It's been rough being away, but I actually learned some very important lessons during this time.
   I never realized how much of an impact on my life it would have for blogging taken away completely. I've just gotta say... these couple of months have been rough. The past few weeks, rougher. Haha. I've even started being all cranky and stuff, lately. If you know me at all, that is NOT me! One thing I am usually not is someone who stays in a bad mood. To be completely honest, I rarely even get in a bad mood. So, this was very out of character for me.
  It hasn't been all bad... Despite all of my "blogging withdrawals" as I like to call them, there are many ways in which my time away has been beneficial to me.  Hopefully, as a result, I can now do a better job at balancing my priorities in life. Here are a few changes that have been made in my life that I just had to share with you all.


   Make time for those around me. If you are a blogger or have your own business/shop online, etc., you will definitely understand what I mean when on this one. Well, actually this can apply to anyone... We can often get so caught up in the blogging world that we forget to make enough time for our immediate family and friends. Whether it may be working on projects, tutorials, blog posts, researching information for new projects {aka Pinterest, blog parties, etc :)}, responding to emails, updating our social media outlets, editing photos, the list goes on... I think we, or at least I personally, can invest 70 or 80 hours a week without even realizing we are doing it. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE every minute of it, but sometimes, especially in the long run, it can be a much healthier to take a step back. Take a break and take the kids to the park. Invite your best friend over for a day of watching movies and eating junk food. Sometimes that time away can actually be GOOD for your blog. Don't worry, your emails & photos that need editing will still be there when you return. But the ones around us, those are the ones that we need to cherish every moment with.

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   Get up and Move. I think, actually I know (and I'm sure you do, too) society today has slowing replaced exercising, going for walks in the woods, playing ball in the yard, chasing fireflies on a summer night, etc. with sitting in from of a computer, video game, smartphone, tv... you see where I'm going with this. A few years ago, I was at the gym several times a week. But I have a feeling most of you can relate to me when I say that the past year or so, I have spent more time pinning workouts on Pinterest than actually physically working out. Working out is one of the best things you can do for relieving stress. I have recently started back running again and I am SO thrilled that I did. I feel so much better overall. I can be at the end of a long day with no energy, go outside and run a few miles, and come back inside feeling rejuvenated... What? You aren't a runner? I wasn't either. Try the Couch to 5K Plan. It works. I promise. I completed it over 3 years ago and can still go out and run a few miles today... and will. When I started the plan I couldn't even run a quarter of a mile. Seriously. Well, I started running again a little while back, thanks to my computer being broken. As a result, I accidentally grabbed my old size 4 jeans out of my closet yesterday and THEY FIT! I wasn't even trying to lose weight. So, if not for anything else but that, it was a blessing for my computer to break! See, there is a bright side to everything. :)

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   Spend Time Reading the Bible. I have a confession to make. I am ashamed to say that over the past couple of years, I haven't read my Bible quite as much as I should. Ya know? As much as I REALLY should. I blame myself, because only I can make the decision to pick it up and read it or not. You know one of the things I have put ahead of taking time to grow in The Word? Social media. This isn't just blogging I'm referring to. It is Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc.... and it applies to everyone. Ask yourself how much time you spend on social media outlets such as these in one week's time. Be honest. How many times a day do you pick up your smartphone and check out Facebook? How often have you convinced yourself that the only reason you haven't read your Bible lately is because you don't have the time? (I'm guilty, too.) That's all I'm going to say regarding the time issue. I think if you are like me, you just answered the question of whether or not you really have time, yourself. It's all about priorities. I have spent a lot more time trying to grow spiritually in the Word, lately. Still nowhere even close to the amount of time I SHOULD be spending, but I'm working on that... I hope you will do the same. I find that when I read my Bible, my week seems to go a little more smoothly, my stress level is much lower... It was when I started getting my priorities straight and reading my Bible more that I felt the need to start my Sunday devotional post. I guess there is a reason for everything, right? Even a broken computer. :)

source & link for free printable

  Even with all of this being said, I am still absolutely ecstatic to be back! I feel like maybe this was exactly what I needed to become the blogger (and person) that I need to be. The one I WANT to be. I am so excited about some upcoming plans that I have for Homemaker in Heels. I'll have more details soon! For now, I hope you will take a step back in your own life and look at where you spend most of your time. Are you letting life's important moments slip away from you while you play a game on facebook or do a blog post or check your status updates....? And you know what? If you feel begin to feel overwhelmed, just take a deep breath... maybe go outside for a walk or read your Bible... maybe you just need a few days away from the computer as sort of a refresher. Are you making the most of each and every day and living the best life you can live? Do you have your priorities where they should be? Put the things that matter MOST to you in life first and then everything else will fall into place. I hope you all have a wonderful day!!!

**A quick announcement: there will be no blog party here this weekend. I miss seeing all of your amazing projects, I just need to take a little time to get caught up on everything. Also, the giveaway week I promised is still coming up soon. HiH is about to hit 350,000 page views and I can't think of a better way to celebrate! :)