a little extra grace // be still download

Lately, I’ve been really tired. I jump from one project to the next, exhausting myself, and never taking a break from working. While all of these projects bring me joy, the fewer hours of sleep and rest bring me to exhaustion tears and admittedly less interesting work. I finally accepted that I couldn’t keep working the same way I have been. I needed to be still.

a little extra grace // "be still" desktop or mobile downloadResting doesn’t necessarily mean sleep to me; it means giving myself time to quiet my mind and not stress about any deadlines or projects or actions I should take. A few ways I like to rest include:

  • Read the next book on your reading list in bed with a hot cup of tea. I finally started reading Essentialism this week after having it on my ‘must-read’ list for months. (If you read on your iPad like me, I suggest turning off notifications and wifi during your reading session too. It’s so easy to double tap the home button, and next thing you know you’re on Pinterest — ha!)
  • Plan a date for you and a person you love to go enjoy a nice cup of coffee together and make it a rule keep iPhones off the table. It is one of my favorite things to sit and talk about life, ideas, or pie in the sky dreams with someone I love. I always feel refreshed and excited even after an hour.
  • Find a print magazine that discusses topics in which you’re interested. The stories found in these magazines can be so similar to the ones in your RSS reader, but I find that there is an irreplaceable beauty in printed type and photos. A few of my go-to print magazines include Anthology, Darling, and most recently, Uncrate (which is a men’s magazine, but gosh the photos and design are just fantastic).
  • If you’d love to do any of these, but realistically find yourself short on time, never underestimate the power of a 20-minute nap. Its hard to make yourself get back up, but I promise you’ll feel refreshed.
  • This year I’ve also been practicing mediation on and off before I go to bed. Instead of worrying about what needs to be done tomorrow, or what didn’t get accomplished today, I’m focusing on my breath, quieting my mind, and relaxing my body. It has helped me fall asleep a lot faster than when I was making mental to-do lists before bed. (I use the app Headspace to guide me!)

If you’re feeling a little scattered and exhausted like I have been, I hope you can be honest with yourself and seek the rest you need.

a little extra grace // "be still" desktop or mobile downloadPlease, download and enjoy this wallpaper I made to remind you.

Desktop | iPad | iPhone

Instructions to download:

  • Click the link.
  • Save the image.
  • Find the image in your photo library.
  • Set it to be your desktop image.

a little extra grace // "be still" desktop or mobile downloadp.s. here are more inspirational downloads by me!

photography and styling by Bruce Layman and Colore’ Grace.

Behind The Blog

Joanna Hawley-McBride is a Pacific Northwest-based social media strategist, content creator, and former textile designer. Joanna is the founder and editor-in-chief of Jojotastic, a lifestyle blog focused on Joanna’s work-in-progress cabin, finding the best pair of underwear through #UnderwearThesis, and empowering women to explore nature — all in her signature unfiltered style. Her work has been featured in Domino, CNBC, and Eating Well.

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Please note that I use affiliate links at times here, as well as on my social media accounts. This means that if you click on a link to a product and purchase that product, I may receive a commission based on your purchase. I only feature products that truly inspire me. Any products that have been gifted to Jojotastic for review are noted at the bottom of the post. Sponsored posts are noted as such. All opinions are my own and always will be! Thanks for supporting content that keeps Jojotastic going.

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