Everyone has their go-to way to unwind, and though my favourite ways to unwind have changed here and there over the years (I now feel relaxed knowing I have an automower in my yard so the grass never gets too long. Who AM I?!) one thing has remained the same: a good glass of wine and doing something that gives me peace and reason to pause. I have mentioned some of my favorite ways for me-time before, but this is different: because right now, unwinding is me-time…but comes at the end of a beautiful day with my family. With a heaaaavy pour of wine and a grateful heart.

Drinking a glass of wine

I am nothing if not consistent, and though I often joke about pouring a big glass in the evenings it really is such an enjoyable way for me to kick back and enjoy the sunset over our country home. Ava Grace is my new go-to wine for these kinds of moments because they try to weave in elements of the outdoors/country lifestyle in everything from their grapes to design and it feels like it fits me perfectly–not to mention that the wine is SO good. They also have cans in the same design fam as their bottles and they’re so aesthetically pleasing! Even Leni commented how beautiful the bottle is, and she can be a tough crowd. I’m a huge red wine fan normally (I really like their Cabernet Sauvignon and their Red Blend), but I’ve been loving their Sauvignon Blanc on these hot summer days!

A calm playlist

One of the most random questions I get in my DMs frequently is about the music I listen to, and it really depends on my mood. When I’m ready to relax in the evenings with a glass of wine, my go-tos are usually the likes of Tyler Childers, Patsy Cline, Chris Stapleton, and The Lumineers. If I’m running at Speed 100 and really need to calm down, I will turn on my Calm app  and listen to one of the meditations it offers.

Reading a book

You know what else complements a glass of wine perfectly?! A good book and a mini version of this charcuterie board. I’ve been reading a LOT this year/summer and have really found it to be a great way to unwind after a busy day with the babies and work. I am currently reading Emily Ley’s ‘When Less Becomes More’ and it is giving me LIFE! The entire book is about finding joy in the little things and simplifying the clutter of life. I highly recommend it if you seem to always be busy and need some motivation to pump the breaks and slowwwwww your roll.

Having my girls over

I absolutely love hosting, and now that we live in our forever home in the country I’m more excited than ever to do so. This is our first summer in our new house, and I’ve had my mama friends over to share bottles with me a handful of times and it has been gooooood for my soul. There’s NOTHING like relaxing with your friends who get you and the stage of life you’re in–and especially with those girlfriends who feel like kindred spirits like mine do. You need to fill up your own cup before your pour into others, and as a mama I have to remind myself to find time for girl talk and close friends, so I can go back to my little family and love on them with all my heart.

Getting some fresh air

You all know I love being outdoors, but sometimes the day passes me by and I realize I barely even went outside, which KILLS me. No matter how busy/crazy/loud/messy the day was, I can always hit my reset button by heading outdoors and taking some deep breaths full of fresh air. At the very least, I will sit on my screened-in porch (where I’m sitting in the photo above) and look out at the trees and listen to the wildlife. It always amazes me how God’s incredible creations can give such a feeling of comfort and tranquility when I stop long enough to pay attention.

Counting my blessings

This is as simple as it sounds. We can get so caught-up in what’s wrong with our days/lives, we forget to appreciate what’s right in front of us. Obviously 2020 has hit us HARD and we all wish we could just go back to normal life, so I’ve been actively trying to count my blessings and remind myself of all the good things happening. I will literally say out-loud, “I’m so grateful for my family’s health. I am grateful for Tim and I having jobs that we love. I am grateful that we have spent more time as a family since COVID happened. I am grateful for the fresh vegetables we picked from our garden. I am grateful for the elk we ate for dinner. I am grateful that the weather was so beautiful today” etc etc etc. You can mention anything, big or small, and by the time I’m done my list, my heart feels a little bit lighter and the negativity has lifted.

I am honestly blessed beyond measure with so many aspects of my life, and I try cherish every moment of my day, no matter how challenging it can be sometimes. There are often times where I catch myself feeling guilty for enjoying a minute in the evenings to myself because I think I could be doing something “productive”, but then I remember that I’m only human and breaks are healthy. Taking care of ourselves and doing things that make us feel at peace should NOT be a source of guilt. Who’s with me?!

Let me know if you ever feel that way in the comments below–and if you’re planning on trying these ways to unwind soon, too!!

-Eva

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