It’s the end of June and that means it’s time to share what we’ve learned. If you’re new around here, this is a regular practice we engage in together, as we are learning the value of looking back before moving forward. I’ll leave the linky up open for several days so you have time to join. For tips, check out how I keep track of what I’m learning.
We’re all at different spots on the journey, and these end of the month posts are a way to reflect, share, and celebrate on purpose – the fascinating, ridiculous, sacred and small.
These posts for me are usually light-hearted and fun. I spend a lot of time writing and reflecting about the more serious parts of life so I enjoy these end-of-the-month posts for recording life hacks, new finds, and ah-ha moments. At the bottom of this post you can link up your own version of what you learned in June.
Here are 6 things I learned in June in no particular order:
1. I have too many shoes.
I’m reading The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
Take the shoes for example.
Here are all of my shoes. I collected them from various corners of the house and placed them all on the floor of my bedroom.
Many of these I’ve had since college. I graduated in 1999 so there’s that. But using the question “Does this item spark joy?” really helps clear things up.
So now, here are my shoes:
I know, it’s still a lot of shoes. But I love them all which I think should count. I just have to hold my ears when my sister tells me she only has four pair of shoes.
2. When my soul is wrestling through a life transition, I start to organize.
Have you picked up on this yet? Let’s be real, I’m sure my decision to start to read the tidying up book 10 days before my girls finish elementary school was not just a coincidence.
Sometimes our hands need to sift through familiar things and bring order to something controllable in order to counterbalance the disorder of life change.
I am okay with this.
3. My instagram friends really like a (small) man in a suit.
Here was the caption: Reporting live from the cul-de-sac, it’s awards day so he insisted on wearing his “tuxedo” – a suit jacket, black jeans, and a bow tie from Party City. I’m going to miss second grade.
This photo is my most liked photo on Instagram to date. I am not wondering why.
4. I am afraid to be specific, especially when it comes to prayer.
This realization too me by surprise this month, but I’m learning, I’m listening, and I’m paying attention.
5. Writing helps me think better and photos help me see better.
I know you’ve heard me say this before and it isn’t something I learned for the first time this month, but it is something I am reminded of this June. I’m spending more time over on Instagram and is it any wonder? No other platform combines both writing and photos as seamlessly and beautifully.
I’m having fun extending the focus of my writing here on the blog and trying to come up with creative ways to make space for the soul to breathe even while we’re on the go.
If you haven’t found me there yet, I’m emilypfreeman.
6. Chatbooks are so fun!
You guys! I have found my new favorite way to print my photos from my phone – Chatbooks. They are basically small books that print 60 photos and only cost $6 each. Use my affiliate code to get your first book free: CEXUCE29
You can either make a custom book or, if you have an Instagram account, you can subscribe to your feed and have the books auto-fill and ship when they reach 60. It prints your captions too, but you can also edit the captions if you like.
I so appreciated your post on being specific. And that organizing while going through major life transitions? I get that. That’s me, too. In fact, my son, my youngest, is moving on to middle school this fall as well.
I love your writing and these end of month posts are so much fun. Have a great day!
Love the shoes, Emily!
The million dollar question I’ve been asking myself during this selling / moving transition?
‘Can I live without it?’
I’m astonished at all the stuff I’ve parted with. And I’m good with it.
I feel lighter. Free-er. Maybe a bit more ready for what’s next …
I totally ‘get’ you. My husband has learned that if he comes home and sees me cleaning closets, he knows I’m feeling the need to ‘take control’ of one area of my life (usually because I feel very out of control of another area…like my kids growing up!)
Just last month I decided to try and turn my love of organizing into a business… I’m excited to see what opportunities arise to share ways to live ‘freer and lighter’ in our thoughts as well as our homes 🙂
I did a similar thing with my shoes last month except I haven’t read Kondo’s book yet – it is on my list of books to read. It was humbling to take all of my shoes out of my closet. My clothes are next! p.s. I think we have the same pair of red shoes 🙂 & thanks for mentioning Chatbooks on Instagram last week. I ordered some & they should be arriving later this week. yay!
I think I feel my heartrate slow when I arrive here. And on your IG feed.
This recapping what we learn each month, reminds me we are static not stagnant even if we cannot see growth, change or lives being chiselled and shaped by His goodness. Love this series for a long while now.
Wondering Emily ,
Loved the idea of the chat books . Is this only Usa Canada . Is there a UK chat book link ?
Thank you
Rachel x
Good question! I’m sorry I don’t know. If you’re on Twitter I bet they would be happy to answer that for you – @chatbooks
#2 just blew my mind. ME TOO. Only I didn’t realize it until you told me. In just 7 weeks, my daughter starts high school and my son starts middle school. Three kids in three different schools. And we might be moving to a new house. Which may explain why I organized my bathroom drawers first thing this morning.
Also, I got my first order of Chatbooks last Christmas. I adore them. : )
Now I’m totally embarrassed by the number of shoes I have. Just this summer I bought two more pair. I probably have 50+ pair for summer and 50+ for winter. Maybe it’s time for me to stay away from shoe departments. I donate a bunch every season, too!
I loved your post on being specific, too! I have been striving to do that in my morning prayers lately. It is so difficult! It feels almost selfish to speak to God and ask directly for exactly what I need, want, hope for, etc. But I feel like it also makes my prayer more complete. It is more vulnerable and valuable, like a deep conversation with a parent should be, and less rote. Thank you so very much for sharing your thoughts. It has really helped me!
Your instagram rave is what finally got me to take the plunge. You were right! It really IS the prettiest place on the internet. I love the writing/photos format too. It’s so nice to scroll then pause to ooh and ahh without being tempted to jump links in a million different directions. I wonder if that’s what makes it more conducive to soul-breathing. Thanks for the recommend!
Chatbooks! Genius!!
I really really love this blog and these lists. i sometimes write my own in my journal. Thanks for writing Emily. Don’t stop 🙂
I can’t wait to check out chatbooks! I always enjoy these posts but I’ve been enjoying digging into your archive as well! I have not read that book referred to in your number 1… I may have to add that to my list of books to read 🙂 I can’t believe this year is half gone!
I, too, am just now reading Marie’s book on tidying. It’s July already. I feel like all my organizing has to be done in the summer or else it won’t get done! Pressure. I don’t have many pairs of shoes, but only because my shoe size prohibits buying of cute pairs of shoes.
I love your instagram feed. And that one of your boy in his suit and bow tie was one of my favorites. So cute! I may give the chatbooks a try.
I need to jump on this tidying up band wagon but, you know, don’t mind me while I procrastinate indefinitely. Love those chatbooks! What a fun, simple idea.
I’m so happy you kept the green shoes– both pairs. 🙂
had to!
Chatbooks? This is so cool. Thanks for the code! These end of the month posts are so full of great thoughts.
This post was sort of like a mirror. I see myself in *almost* each thing you’ve learned. I’m working through a major transition and finding simplifying is easier – when the question is: do I want to carry this with me to the new home only to clutter and muddle things there? The answer is a simple: No. But going through all the things that matter and make up *my* existence here on earth, it helps me to breathe and feel all the good in my life.
Plus, the transition is helping me pray in more specific ways too. Nothing like circumstances that are confusing or out of my control to cause an abandoned prayer.
And I love the chatbooks! I will definitely sign up with the code – I have often thought “I’d love to have a copy of my Instagram feed.” I’ve seen a YouTuber make a wall (literal, not talking Facebook here) of her Instagram pictures – 4×4’s each with a small white boarder in between. So pretty.
So, #1 made me tear up a little… I mean, ‘too many shoes’? sigh… (me, too. You know, probably.) #2 made me remember that I, too, need to organize my jewelry (and maybe buy a couple of new rings because, of course!) #3 – Gah… I can’t even with all that cuteness! (And #6… I haven’t tried Chatbooks yet – but for $6, I think I will!)
As always, my favorite monthly link up!
Emily,
I’m so impressed you organized and you did it after reading a book on organizing…I bought a similar book and I have yet to even read it…Thanks so much for hosting this link up as it encourages me to be mindful…blessings to you as you prepare for your book launch…enjoying your book so far 🙂
So I don’t have a blog to link to and I’ve never commented on yours before but here goes- I actually learned something this month that seems like something that you would put in your list- John Green, the author of those famous YA novels like The Fault in Our Stars, is the host of a YouTube channel that I like watching called Mental Floss. It seems unheard of to see an author in front of the camera, right? I haven’t actually read his books yet but he is quite witty and sarcastic in the videos which I love. So mind blowing.
Oh man, I’m too late for the link up. I have two and bit months worth 🙂 I will link up next month, maybe twice! But it does contain a link to a toasted marshmallow milkshake….