Favorite Five Friday: A Life I’m Learning to Appreciate

As I looked through my camera roll from the past week, I was reminded of just how fantastic my life really is.

Maybe it’s retirement. I feel like a different person these days.

I still stress about money. I think that’s probably inevitable when you’re adjusting to a different income. But I’m also reminded of something I learned growing up: money doesn’t always bring happiness. In fact, having less can teach you to be creative. It teaches you to appreciate what you already have instead of constantly chasing everything society convinces us we need.

Retirement has been such a learning experience for me that it probably deserves its own blog post. But already, I feel so much more relaxed without the constant stress of work. I’m sleeping better, too. I’m no longer constantly dreaming about school—except for that one strange dream where I was walking into an empty classroom nine months pregnant. I will never understand where that one came from!

Life is always an adjustment. But I truly believe you get out of life what you put into it. And lately, I’ve been trying to put more gratitude, creativity, family, and joy into mine.

So, here are my Favorite Five from my camera roll this week…

1. Sunday Morning Breakfast

I don’t go to church, and I’ve come to realize that large churches can give me a tremendous amount of anxiety. I actually find that I feel closer to God in the quiet moments of everyday life.

Give me breakfast outside, my home on family land, the plants I’ve grown, the beauty I’ve created, and a little sunshine—and I feel incredibly grateful.

I honestly don’t think God only speaks to us inside a church.

I see Him in the beauty of the earth, in my family, in my home, and in the quiet moments when I stop long enough to appreciate what I have.

And yes, I can sip my mimosa and praise God at the same time.

2. Time With My Sister

My sister is always there for me.

On Monday, Jen took me to Greenville to deliver my paintings, which will be displayed in an alumni art exhibition. We walked around campus and reminisced about how much ECU has changed.

Although she’s my neighbor, we rarely make the time to really connect. This week was different. We talked, laughed, caught up, and realized how much we both need that time together.

With aging parents, there is something incredibly comforting about having a sibling who understands the history behind everything. They experienced life alongside you. They remember the same people, the same stories, the same family dynamics.

We decided that going forward, we’re going to set aside a day each week just for us—to connect, share ideas, vent, laugh, and simply be sisters.

Before we left, we tried a new restaurant, and it was so good!

Sometimes the best days are the ones you don’t plan very much.

3. My Little Sketchbook

Since retiring, I’ve really been trying to focus on my art.

One of my goals is to sketch more, so I ordered a small sketchbook. Now, whenever I experience a memorable moment, I sketch it. Sometimes I add a little watercolor, too.

Watercolor is new for me, so I’m looking at it as an experiment rather than worrying about whether I’m doing it “right.”

The more I practice, the more I’ll learn.

And I have to say, there is something incredibly special about the idea of being older and looking back through a little sketchbook filled with memories—not just photographs, but little pieces of my life that I actually drew myself.

That feels pretty priceless to me.

4. Eyebrows & Bojangles

On Wednesday, I had my eyebrow follow-up.

I had my eyebrows tattooed earlier this year, and at this point in my life, I’m all about eliminating unnecessary tasks. I don’t want to spend a ridiculous amount of time trying to draw on my over-plucked eyebrows every morning!

I’ve been going to Lynn at Permanent Beauty for years, and she is truly one of the kindest souls. For me, having my eyebrows done is money well spent. It saves time, makes getting ready easier, and means one less thing to worry about.

And then there’s the tradition.

After my appointment, I stopped at Bojangles for fries and a Diet Coke.

Is it an indulgence? Absolutely.

Is it a rare one? Thankfully.

But I love traditions. Sometimes it’s the little things we repeat that become the things we remember most.

5. National Prosecco Day & Sister Day

Thursday was National Prosecco Day, so naturally, I had to celebrate properly.

My sister came over, and we had mimosas and spent hours talking about life—our situations, our families, our worries, our plans, and everything in between.

And then I spent the rest of the day in the pool.

I actually gave myself permission to take the day off.

No work.

No projects.

No obligations.

Just sunshine, water, conversation, and a mimosa.

By the end of the day, we decided that Thursdays are officially going to be Sister Days.

I think that might be one of my favorite retirement decisions yet.

Looking back at these five moments, I realize that none of them required a lot of money.

Breakfast outside.

Time with my sister.

A $10 sketchbook.

A little eyebrow maintenance and some fries.

A pool day with a glass of Prosecco.

And yet, looking at my camera roll, I feel incredibly rich.

Maybe that’s one of the biggest lessons retirement is teaching me.

I don’t necessarily need more.

Maybe I just need to notice more.

More beauty.

More family.

More creativity.

More laughter.

More little traditions.

More moments where I stop and think, Wow. I really do have a pretty fantastic life.

And that, my friends, is my Favorite Five Friday.