play.

The last few weeks have been full of play with my kids.

kayak rides
swimming
bike rides
foxtail (remember this?!)
hockey
baseball
tag
bubbles
nugget mountains
pirates
firefighters
marble works
construction
and so much more

Their imagination never fails to amaze me. Sometimes they need coaxing to start but we've found we can make a game out of pretty much everything.

And regardless of what we are doing, we find the fun. 

After a spring of no (no school, no parks, no friends, no stores, etc.) I promised myself this summer, I'd be quicker to say yes. 

And in saying yes, I've found myself putting down my phone more. And wading into chilly water to swim when I normally would have chosen to stay on shore. And biking just a little bit further into town, and needing to be rescued because someone's little legs just couldn't make it back. And loading up the car to drive an hour to see a new-to-us state park to seek out an adventure. And staying up thirty minutes later because we're playing tennis in the culdesac and the laughs won't stop. And saying yes to one more rice krispie bar, one more minute in the pool, one more bedtime story.

The play and saying yes has been so good for my soul.

Before the pandemic took over, I was burned out at work. Then, like so many of you, my burnout and stress was increased by having my kids home, while trying to stay healthy and safe, and deal with a changing work landscape, and honestly, I lost myself a bit. 

I've spent the last month trying to combat my burnout. To become more engaged in my life, and by focusing on play and saying yes, I've slowly realigned my priorities with my who I want to be in life. 

I want to be the mom who says yes, who enjoys play, I also want to be the woman who finds time to play - just for me. What brings me joy? What can I do to find the fun and relish in those moments of unbridled joy? That's what I'm seeking out this month: ways to incorporate play into my daily life.

Because after the last few months, I know we could all use a little more play time in our lives.

This month in birch + pine,  we'll be sharing tricks and tips to combat stress and burnout,  ways to find rest and relaxation, and see how play time can benefit our health and wellness!

xoxo,
Alex

If you are feeling stressed and burned out too,  you might like my guide to pamper yourself at home. Check it out here!