You did it again, you made me cry! I have been a proponent of minimalism and slow living for 15 YEARS, and I am only now uncovering this deeper level of mindset. Your comment about being comfortable decluttering the things, but being uncomfortable decluttering the beliefs about who we “should” be hit me hard. I feel like I need to set aside these beliefs, get out of God’s way and let Him mold me into who HE wants me to be, not who the world tells me to be. Thank you for another beautiful video.
You are doing very well for the season of life you are in right now. You have decluttered your home, your family is well fed and clean, they get fresh air and they get to live in the country! You are doing great!! And, your mama is a wise woman! You are teaching your three year old and one year old the important things. You include them. You are *with* them. You bring them along. These things are HUGE in today's world. I don't know if you read aloud to them, but I would include that daily too. Deb, who used to live in the country, always had a "quiet" hour from 1pm to 2pm, read aloud, had seven kiddos and homeschooled for 34 years. I'm 68 and now have six of the seven on their own (married) and have 23 grands and one great-grand on the way!
Thank you, Deb! This meant a lot to me. 🥰 I think it’s really easy to discount progress made and to get caught in the comparison trap. It’s very meaningful to have encouragement from more experienced women and moms. And you’re 100 percent right about the power of being with our kids. A friend of mine, who’s a psychologist, confirmed that there’s no educational or childcare model that outweighs the benefits of mom. Which is so beautiful. Also, yes we do read to them every day! When you asked, I realized I AM helping with her early education, 😂. I completely discounted the reading!
wow. This made me sob. The bit where you said "I am not a fantasy mom, but i'm not bad." That hit !!! We are so imperfect, and the moment I decided to be real for my kids rather than perfect, everything changed. I am mindful, yes, but they see me cry, they see us bicker occasionally, they see me have sofa days with the TV on and they join me in that. They see me. Normal, regular, sometimes happy, sometimes not-so-happy me. And what glorious moments of connection that imperfection provides and what a beautiful relationship we have.
“Accepting your lot” from Ecclesiastes has been a big focus the Lord has put on my heart recently. So I was glad to see your video pop up to encourage me that I’m not the only one. I had to pause your video and cry for a few minutes when you said you had to get past the fantasy mom you were striving to be… That hit hard because it’s something I completely deal with as well. I have 5 children, my oldest is 9, we homeschool and it’s taken me this long to accept where I’m at. But it’s never too late to redirect 🥰
@@papertownhome "18 Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life. 19 And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life-this is indeed a gift from God. 20 God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past." - Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
I appreciate your honesty about your "ideal mom" fantasy and even more about "real mom" that you are ❤ I'm struggling a lot with the ideal fantasy mom myself and when you said you're not a bad mom, I almost cried. Very, very important message. Thank you ❤
I appreciate you and your message ❤️ it was such a blessing. I needed to hear this. Now I am going to take some prayerful time and think about what kind of mom I really am and stop living in my own unrealistic expectations. Big hugs from Michigan 🍁.
Make that two😂 Single dad and I appreciate all the moms out there giving us dads the much needed pointers. Really relate to the fantasy parent bit and I'm really hard on myself because of it. I often think of the apostle Paul in Romans when he says the things I want to do I don't and the things I don't want to do I do. I know I'm not nearly as good a dad as I should be or can be, but as long as I keep trying and take it one day at a time, I know we'll be alright.
I am really enjoying your videos! As a mama with an almost 18 and 13 year old, I’ve realized over the years - they care very little about what all the experts say they should have or do - they just want you to be there - doing whatever with them - I do wish I would’ve know this years before, but i think as mothers we always are the hardest on ourselves and think we should be doing more
Wow, when I say I needed this video...I struggle for the words to even explain. I'm a second time mom (who often still feels like a first time mom) and the weight of my expectations for myself can be crushing. I literally feel lighter and freer as a mom after watching your video. Thank you for taking the time and effort to pour into others. I appreciate you and, of course, subscribed (several videos ago, but still). Have a lovely week.
What a beautiful message-thank you for filming it. I think being in my 40's, I've learned to embrace how I mother and who I am (with all my talents and my shortcomings). It is difficult not to compare and feel just a little inadequate or not quite right, If you are the parent of a pre-teen like me, you dread being "embarrassing". At the end of the day, we are all doing the best we can. There's so much beauty and possibility in the world...I just want my son to notice and hold onto that.
If you're happy going out your kids will be happy. I learned very quickly as a new Mom that a single day at home is relaxing, but by day 2 I am ready to go out too!! Nurturing is key. You're doing that. Mothering can also happen outside the 4 walls of our own home.
Enjoying your videos. No one is perfect and all those showing us they are online, aren't either. Wouldn't we all love an edited life. I much prefer your outlook, and honesty is very refreshing. Still trying to simplify over here.
Absolutely. I think simplifying has been the most challenging and the most rewarding process in my life. I'm not a natural at it, but it's nice to always come back to. Thanks for watching!
I agree with all these things( even though slightly different in my own unique ways) and don’t hear many other ppl talking about these things too! Thank you so much for sharing! So happy to have connected with you, even if it’s virtual 😅❤
I KNOW! She has an amazing ability to cut to the heart of complex topics. I always look forward to Tuesdays with Maddie! And, thank you for watching too! I'm loving getting connected with likeminded women 🥰
Haha, yep it's so easy to get drawn into all of it. There's beauty in it and I think much of it points to wise ways to live, but when I made this video I was evaluating what is possible and where are my own limitations that I need to graciously accept. Of course, this is always evolving :)
This was a truly lovely video. I honestly feel spoilt having found your channel. I am not a mother yet, but that's the destination. And all my ideas of paring down lifes non-necessities that get fed to us by the media as needs, seems impossible, but you help display even if it is the little victories, they are achievable. But that you shouldn't cut yourself down to reach your destination. Thank you for your earnest, realistic and honest content.
Thank you, Kelsey! I’m excited to be supporting people in their simplifying journey, but especially young and future mothers. It makes a world of difference to have simplified life and home when little kids are around.
Thank you for being so humble and caring about others. I have watched so many of your videos in the last day and it has helped me so much. I’m not the mother I thought I would be but my kids tell me all of the time “ I’m the best mom in the world” what else can a mom asked for? I’m feeling so proud of myself right now. I’m who I am. Mandy Gray is amazing too. I came across your channel because I follow her and RUclips thought I would like yours too 😊 PS: I also love how you talked openly about your faith. God is pretty amazing
It made me cry! I struggle the same thing everyday :( Thank you for your honesty!! It changed my perspective. Your videos are awesome. Thank you for creating them even though your day is full! Keep sharing your heart! God bless you❤
Thank you for sharing this! It's not always easy to be vulnerable in this space, but I think it's important that we examine these hard challenges of motherhood together.
I’m so glad it’s helpful! There’s a lot to live up to in mothering. I think my slow living journey has been largely about learning to accept trade offs and respect my limitations. I’m still very much learning, but it’s helping.
This was beautiful. I’m so glad I found your channel. I’ve been watching madisun’s videos for a while and so glad I found a other slow living minimal mama ❤
Oh my goodness, I wish I could but it’s from an America’s Test Kitchen cookbook and I’m pretty sure it would be a copyright violation for me to share it. I linked to a couple cookbooks that have it, if you want to go that route. You might even be able to get those cookbooks through your local library (that’s what I do!). It really is such a solid recipe!
Yes! I’m planning a few videos on the subject probably including a meal planning video, a grocery haul, and a “dinners we eat in a week” video. I can add in a video about what I eat in a day. 😋 Hoping to put together a schedule for upcoming videos soon!
This video brought tears to my eyes. I've been watching you lately, and I feel we are very much on the same page. So encouraging. Thank you for giving me permission to let go of fantasy mom me. Let's be friends 💓
You're right. But, it wouldn't be a very powerful fantasy in my life if I didn't simultaneously strive for it and struggle to uphold it. My videos follow my actual weeks. That's what that week looked like, so it's what I shared. Though to be fair, you definitely didn't see me trying to hold down a full time job, clean my home, manage a vegetable garden or many of the myriad things I listed. It would all be too much. And, I have limitations 😉
You did it again, you made me cry! I have been a proponent of minimalism and slow living for 15 YEARS, and I am only now uncovering this deeper level of mindset. Your comment about being comfortable decluttering the things, but being uncomfortable decluttering the beliefs about who we “should” be hit me hard. I feel like I need to set aside these beliefs, get out of God’s way and let Him mold me into who HE wants me to be, not who the world tells me to be. Thank you for another beautiful video.
Thank you! This comment was a good reminder to me too! Get out of God's way. THAT is an area where I need to grow :)
Amen❤
You are doing very well for the season of life you are in right now. You have decluttered your home, your family is well fed and clean, they get fresh air and they get to live in the country! You are doing great!! And, your mama is a wise woman!
You are teaching your three year old and one year old the important things. You include them. You are *with* them. You bring them along. These things are HUGE in today's world.
I don't know if you read aloud to them, but I would include that daily too.
Deb, who used to live in the country, always had a "quiet" hour from 1pm to 2pm, read aloud, had seven kiddos and homeschooled for 34 years. I'm 68 and now have six of the seven on their own (married) and have 23 grands and one great-grand on the way!
Thank you, Deb! This meant a lot to me. 🥰 I think it’s really easy to discount progress made and to get caught in the comparison trap. It’s very meaningful to have encouragement from more experienced women and moms.
And you’re 100 percent right about the power of being with our kids. A friend of mine, who’s a psychologist, confirmed that there’s no educational or childcare model that outweighs the benefits of mom. Which is so beautiful.
Also, yes we do read to them every day! When you asked, I realized I AM helping with her early education, 😂. I completely discounted the reading!
Your videos are so enlightening!! Your voice is so soothing in and your message is spot on. Thank you for your insights.
Wow, thank you!
wow. This made me sob. The bit where you said "I am not a fantasy mom, but i'm not bad." That hit !!! We are so imperfect, and the moment I decided to be real for my kids rather than perfect, everything changed. I am mindful, yes, but they see me cry, they see us bicker occasionally, they see me have sofa days with the TV on and they join me in that. They see me. Normal, regular, sometimes happy, sometimes not-so-happy me. And what glorious moments of connection that imperfection provides and what a beautiful relationship we have.
“Accepting your lot” from Ecclesiastes has been a big focus the Lord has put on my heart recently. So I was glad to see your video pop up to encourage me that I’m not the only one. I had to pause your video and cry for a few minutes when you said you had to get past the fantasy mom you were striving to be… That hit hard because it’s something I completely deal with as well. I have 5 children, my oldest is 9, we homeschool and it’s taken me this long to accept where I’m at. But it’s never too late to redirect 🥰
I need to look up that lesson. 🥰 so much wisdom from our Lord.
@@papertownhome "18 Even so, I have noticed one thing, at least, that is good. It is good for people to eat, drink, and enjoy their work under the sun during the short life God has given them, and to accept their lot in life.
19 And it is a good thing to receive wealth from God and the good health to enjoy it. To enjoy your work and accept your lot in life-this is indeed a gift from God.
20 God keeps such people so busy enjoying life that they take no time to brood over the past." - Ecclesiastes 5:18-20
@@Bonniebranch7 Thank you!
Not going to lie, I almost cried when you repeated your mother's advice. Such a great video!
I know! She made me cry 😭 too. I’m so glad it’s resonating. I think we all need the reminder sometimes!
I appreciate your honesty about your "ideal mom" fantasy and even more about "real mom" that you are ❤ I'm struggling a lot with the ideal fantasy mom myself and when you said you're not a bad mom, I almost cried. Very, very important message. Thank you ❤
I appreciate you and your message ❤️ it was such a blessing. I needed to hear this. Now I am going to take some prayerful time and think about what kind of mom I really am and stop living in my own unrealistic expectations. Big hugs from Michigan 🍁.
You have at least one man listening. Thank you for the parenting content :)
Make that two😂 Single dad and I appreciate all the moms out there giving us dads the much needed pointers. Really relate to the fantasy parent bit and I'm really hard on myself because of it. I often think of the apostle Paul in Romans when he says the things I want to do I don't and the things I don't want to do I do. I know I'm not nearly as good a dad as I should be or can be, but as long as I keep trying and take it one day at a time, I know we'll be alright.
I am really enjoying your videos! As a mama with an almost 18 and 13 year old, I’ve realized over the years - they care very little about what all the experts say they should have or do - they just want you to be there - doing whatever with them - I do wish I would’ve know this years before, but i think as mothers we always are the hardest on ourselves and think we should be doing more
Thank you for sharing this perspective. It's really impactful to hear from more experienced moms and to be reminded of what's truly essential.
Yes, we are hardest on ourselves
Wow, when I say I needed this video...I struggle for the words to even explain. I'm a second time mom (who often still feels like a first time mom) and the weight of my expectations for myself can be crushing. I literally feel lighter and freer as a mom after watching your video. Thank you for taking the time and effort to pour into others. I appreciate you and, of course, subscribed (several videos ago, but still). Have a lovely week.
You are so welcome! Thank you for taking the time to write this. It's really encourages me to keep going :)
What a beautiful message-thank you for filming it. I think being in my 40's, I've learned to embrace how I mother and who I am (with all my talents and my shortcomings). It is difficult not to compare and feel just a little inadequate or not quite right, If you are the parent of a pre-teen like me, you dread being "embarrassing". At the end of the day, we are all doing the best we can. There's so much beauty and possibility in the world...I just want my son to notice and hold onto that.
Thank you for watching! And, for sharing what you've learned and are continuing to learn. We're all a work in progress. :)
You my dear are a writer and I thoroughly enjoy your work ❤
Thank you! That’s a high compliment🌻
If you're happy going out your kids will be happy. I learned very quickly as a new Mom that a single day at home is relaxing, but by day 2 I am ready to go out too!! Nurturing is key. You're doing that. Mothering can also happen outside the 4 walls of our own home.
So true!
Enjoying your videos. No one is perfect and all those showing us they are online, aren't either. Wouldn't we all love an edited life. I much prefer your outlook, and honesty is very refreshing. Still trying to simplify over here.
Absolutely. I think simplifying has been the most challenging and the most rewarding process in my life. I'm not a natural at it, but it's nice to always come back to. Thanks for watching!
I agree with all these things( even though slightly different in my own unique ways) and don’t hear many other ppl talking about these things too! Thank you so much for sharing! So happy to have connected with you, even if it’s virtual 😅❤
I’m glad we’ve been able to connect too!
This made me cry, I can relate ❤ thank you for sharing.
You are so welcome :)
Literally love youuuuuu! Also was thinking I love this girls style of life and everything! Then you mentioned Maddie. LOVE HER TOOOOO
I KNOW! She has an amazing ability to cut to the heart of complex topics. I always look forward to Tuesdays with Maddie!
And, thank you for watching too! I'm loving getting connected with likeminded women 🥰
Me too :D aspiring to be THAT mom :D for the 5th year now, since 1st born! 🙌 still working on it obviously 😅
Haha, yep it's so easy to get drawn into all of it. There's beauty in it and I think much of it points to wise ways to live, but when I made this video I was evaluating what is possible and where are my own limitations that I need to graciously accept. Of course, this is always evolving :)
This was a truly lovely video. I honestly feel spoilt having found your channel. I am not a mother yet, but that's the destination. And all my ideas of paring down lifes non-necessities that get fed to us by the media as needs, seems impossible, but you help display even if it is the little victories, they are achievable. But that you shouldn't cut yourself down to reach your destination. Thank you for your earnest, realistic and honest content.
Thank you, Kelsey! I’m excited to be supporting people in their simplifying journey, but especially young and future mothers. It makes a world of difference to have simplified life and home when little kids are around.
Thank you for being so humble and caring about others. I have watched so many of your videos in the last day and it has helped me so much. I’m not the mother I thought I would be but my kids tell me all of the time “ I’m the best mom in the world” what else can a mom asked for? I’m feeling so proud of myself right now. I’m who I am. Mandy Gray is amazing too. I came across your channel because I follow her and RUclips thought I would like yours too 😊
PS: I also love how you talked openly about your faith. God is pretty amazing
Thank you! It’s so wonderful to hear the videos are having an impact! 🥰 And I’m so flattered to be recommended alongside Madi’s videos ☺️
This video was imperfectly perfect! Absolutely loved it!
Thank you so much!!
This was the perfect message to end the old and start the new year with! 🎉❤
That’s wonderful to hear! 🥰 Happy New Year!
It made me cry! I struggle the same thing everyday :( Thank you for your honesty!! It changed my perspective. Your videos are awesome. Thank you for creating them even though your day is full! Keep sharing your heart! God bless you❤
Thank you for sharing this! It's not always easy to be vulnerable in this space, but I think it's important that we examine these hard challenges of motherhood together.
@@papertownhome so true♥️
I was saying yes to so many of these things. Thank you for this gentle reminder. ❤😊
You are so welcome! We're in this together :)
Thank you for expressing so many of my feelings. This alone makes me comfortable!
I’m so glad it’s helpful! There’s a lot to live up to in mothering. I think my slow living journey has been largely about learning to accept trade offs and respect my limitations. I’m still very much learning, but it’s helping.
This was beautiful. I’m so glad I found your channel. I’ve been watching madisun’s videos for a while and so glad I found a other slow living minimal mama ❤
Thank you so much!! I’m so glad you’re here now!
I have truly been enjoying your videos. ❤ Thank you for this one.
You are so welcome! Thank you for watching!
Love this one too!!
not me crying
This was beautiful ❤
Thank you Kelli!
Can you share the cookie recipe? They looked delicious!
Oh my goodness, I wish I could but it’s from an America’s Test Kitchen cookbook and I’m pretty sure it would be a copyright violation for me to share it. I linked to a couple cookbooks that have it, if you want to go that route. You might even be able to get those cookbooks through your local library (that’s what I do!). It really is such a solid recipe!
Beautiful video 😍.A kiss from Spain 😘😘😘😘🇪🇦
😘😘 thank you! Thanks for watching!
I love this ❤
Thank you! :)
Could you please show what you eat in a day for several days and in a week
Yes! I’m planning a few videos on the subject probably including a meal planning video, a grocery haul, and a “dinners we eat in a week” video. I can add in a video about what I eat in a day. 😋 Hoping to put together a schedule for upcoming videos soon!
Mum of 4 watching from Australia 🇦🇺
Briliant!
Thank you! And thanks for watching!
This video brought tears to my eyes. I've been watching you lately, and I feel we are very much on the same page. So encouraging. Thank you for giving me permission to let go of fantasy mom me. Let's be friends 💓
You are so welcome! And, yes, let's be friends! :)
Your imagery (but not your words) is literally reinforcing that stereotype of doing-it-all motherhood 😂 Everything looks ideal…
You're right. But, it wouldn't be a very powerful fantasy in my life if I didn't simultaneously strive for it and struggle to uphold it. My videos follow my actual weeks. That's what that week looked like, so it's what I shared. Though to be fair, you definitely didn't see me trying to hold down a full time job, clean my home, manage a vegetable garden or many of the myriad things I listed. It would all be too much. And, I have limitations 😉
Thanks 🩷✨️✌️
Thanks for watching!