Welcome to Week 1 of the Slow Down Challenge! If you haven’t gotten on board yet, now’s the time. This is a series the I’m spinning off of Jeff Goins 5 day Slow Down Challenge, making it into a weekly post for the next five weeks. I hope you will stay for the long haul!

Do You Enjoy Life?

It is so incredibly easy to get sucked into the expectation that the apex and climax of this life is just around the corner. So, we move along at the speed of intention, trying to figure out how to get there better and faster so that we can arrive and forego all worry and concern for the rest of our days.

This is not at all how life is actually meant to be experienced. Each day is complete with its own high points and low points, but are you taking the time to notice them?

I know for me that when my first few kids were toddling around, I had many seasons where I felt like I was simply floating through life, detached, unfocused, and overwhelmed.

It was that feeling of being overwhelmed that held me back and kept my eyes shielded from actually seeing and enjoying my life in the pieces it was given to me; a moment here, a smile there. But, once I really started to take a hold of my life, to take the time to purpose my days, I began to feel like a cloud lifted and I could see more clearly the many blessings that surrounded me each and every moment.

It takes intention and focus to enjoy what is happening in the moments of life.

Here are 3 simple things you can do today to enJOY Life MORE

Give Thanks for Your Family

Take a moment to look around at all the things that you love about your family, even if you are in the midst of chaos or trials. Note the good and focus on them for a few minutes. List them out and give Yahweh thanks for each and every one.

Sit down for even 5 minutes to read, color, play with, or talk to your kids

No matter what age, kids love it when parents get to their level and participate in what they love. If you have a baby, read a simple book or play peek-a-boo. If you have a toddler, read a book and look for colors, or sing the ABCs together. If Pre-K aged, do some coloring together. If older, ask about what they are reading or doing lately and ask what they like most about it. This one I expect to be true from 8 to 85. We all love it when people show an interest in our lives and seek to understand us even better.

Obviously, these are just some ideas, but I hope you get the point. Take time today to be present with others where THEY are (tweet this).

Take control of those things that seem to always be left undone and do them

If it’s the laundry, knock it out. If it’s the dishes, jump up and just do it. I know some of these areas can be annoying or strongly disliked by many ladies in the home, but I assure you, you will feel better when these things are done. Procrastination is simply delaying the inevitable.

Procrastination can be a true joy stealer, so make a commitment to knock out early the things you despise and then you can be even more present to enjoy life in the moment.

Be Blessed By Intentional Living

I don’t know about you, but if I have to make too many decisions each day, my brain is fried. I like to sit down once or twice a month and really figure out a system or plan for that month so that I can kind of automate my days and be free to enjoy what’s happening in the moment.

As a mom and homemaker, I know I need to be on top of meal planning, house cleaning, and homeschooling the kids, but as a blogger I also need a plan for which posts to write when, etc. There’s a lot of organization needed for all of these things, and if I am left to organize the tasks each and every day, I fall flat on my face. Planning is my life-saver!

I know it might seem tedious, or overwhelming, but try to take it in small chunks if you need to. Start by figuring out a plan for the week’s meals, or a plan for laundry this week, etc. Work your way up to having set days for laundry, cleaning, office type stuff (bills, paperwork, etc), errands, etc. and then you will have a better plan for your daily flow.

Choose a Planner: GREAT Tool for Intentional Living

A great tool that I enjoy using to do all of this is a planner. A great planner is one of the best investments you could make to help keep your life moving in the direction you want!

I recently learned about the This Is My Life Planners over at A Virtuous Woman, and have had the opportunity to review them.

Let me tell you, they are GREAT! Super cute, very comprehensive, and applicable to the life of a homemaker and woman after God’s own heart. She has really thought of it all and included places to determine your vision for what you are working towards in your family, and then the pieces for the micro-steps that make it happen.

If you’re going to try a planner in 2015, the This Is My Life Planners are a great way to start!

**This is simply a review of the planner, and I have not been paid or received any gifts for this review. All opinions are my own.**

What Will You Do with Your New Year?

We’re heading to the end of 2014, about to break dawn for a new year. What are you going to do to live with intention and enjoy life more?

No matter how small, or trivial, every step matters. So just start walking them out today =0) You can do it!