What I Learned in January

Emily Freeman does a series of blog posts about what she has learned each month. I completely forgot to write my post about that last Friday, so even though today actually kicks off a whole new month, I still wanted to share what I learned in January! {Meanwhile, HAPPY FEBRUARY!!!}

1. Winter is so much prettier when you're not a commuter. I think this may actually fall under something I affirmed in my mind this month, rather than something I learned. While we didn't have an overly snowy month, there were so many nights when I slept beautifully because I knew I did not have to drive to Fort Wayne the next morning. I have had such a fondness for this winter, and that is a wondrous thing I've not enjoyed for years. Thank you, Ryan, for making this season possible for me!

2. Working out three times a day = no. During the last week of my second round of the 21 Day Fix, I worked out three times each day. That crossed the line. It was physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting and for me, anyway, seemed to yield no impressive additional results. I told Ryan to remind me of that if I ever happened to threaten this sort of behavior again.

3. Shepherding is hard work. Not like actual sheep shepherding. But our sermon series at church this month has been about learning to shepherd those around you. I went into this series with much enthusiasm, and while I am still excited to see what God has for me/us in the realm of shepherding others, I have learned it is not for the faint of heart. I've appreciated our pastor's teaching on this topic {which you can watch here if you want} and feel I've learned so much in just a month.

4. There are women in this world who have to hide during their periods because they have no sanitary supplies. My day observing/documenting/helping with The Dignity Project was so eye opening to the plight of women living in our very modern age who still do not have access to pads or tampons to carry them through their periods. Every month, they have to stay home and hide, because they have no other choice. The day I spent with the women who created reusable pads and pouches for these ladies half a world away was convicting, awe-inspiring, and extremely educational.

5. Webinars are more fun when you choose them yourself. Upon occasion, I had to watch webinars when I worked at IWU and at WBCL. I hated webinar days. I got sleepy just thinking about them. Sitting in a warm conference room and being quiet for an hour or two was just too hard for me. In January alone, I chose to watch three webinars from my own home, and I thoroughly enjoyed each one. I was able to walk around when I wanted, get snacks and drinks, and choose my own topics. Made all the difference, and I'm grateful for the people who made them possible!

6. Styrofoam snowballs look like eggs. On two separate occasions this month, I sent people pictures of my dining room table {photo above is one example} and both times, the recipients asked me why I had eggs in with junk food. The Styrofoam balls that are supposed to look like snowballs, apparently photograph as eggs.

7. I'm kind of a grammar failure. I finished my book manuscript last November, and this month a proofreader edited it for me. She sent it back with a humiliating amount of things marked. She actually told me it was a pretty clean manuscript, which made me wonder exactly what kinds of manuscripts other writers turn in, but it was humbling to see how much I thought I knew, but actually I don't! I told her I write by ear like some musicians play by ear. Except I hope they get more of their notes right than I did!

8. Slow cooker meals are torture when you work from home. The last week of January, I participated in a slow cooker challenge, where I made each day's meal that way. It was amazing to find new recipes I loved, but that whole gratification thing of walking into a delicious smelling house goes much easier when you are not in said house all day long. Smelling the delight while trying to focus on work is, well, hard.

So there's a sampling of what I learned in January. Possibly nothing earth-shattering there, but hopefully something entertaining in some manner!