Kranz Co. Life in Bloom

Not My Usual Post (But One I Need to Remember)

Changing the tune for a moment—this isn’t my typical kind of post, more of a thought I need to jot down and come back to later. Over the past year, I’ve done a lot of reflecting on why I crave home projects and working with my hands. There are plenty of reasons, but one of the biggest is this: my brain is almost always going 1,000 miles an hour.

I’m constantly juggling thoughts—meal planning, birthday gifts, work deadlines, house chores, wondering if I should finally bite the bullet and get Botox…you get it. It’s a hot mess up there.

But when I’m painting, gardening, or wallpapering? My brain quiets down. I’m focused on the task right in front of me. The mental noise fades, and I find it so relaxing. It’s also when I feel like I can hear God a little more clearly.

Have you heard the phrase, “If Satan can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy”? That line hits home for me. My life is busy, and I think that often drowns out God’s voice. I can spend time in morning prayer and ask Him a question—then immediately launch into a nonstop day until my head hits the pillow. Zero margin for Him to break through the chaos in my brain. Honestly, He’d probably have to smack me in the face to get my attention.

I’m still learning, but here are a few things I’ve started doing to find more calm:

• Exercise – Tiring out my body helps my mind slow down. Even a quick workout makes a difference.
• Saying “no” – Yesterday we were invited to a backyard party with our neighbors. Normally I’d go, but I just wasn’t up for small talk while managing my wild children. So I said no. I stayed home with the littlest, while my husband and older son went and had a blast. I made homemade bread, listened to a sermon, and those 30 minutes of kneading dough totally filled my cup. I felt a twinge of guilt for not going—but honestly, I had more fun at home, and that’s okay.
• Less screen time – It’s so easy to fall into the scrolling trap, and suddenly 30 minutes is gone. I’m trying to replace that with things that actually fuel me—reading, creating, or just being still.

I’d love to hear—have you found anything that helps you slow your mind and find peace? I’m all ears.

XOXO – Chloe