Here in Minnesota, summer brings vibrant greenery, sunny days, and warmth. Our kids are enjoying themselves with sprinklers, bike rides, and all the fun activities that summer offers. I hope you make time for the summer activities you love with your loved ones. It's crucial to slow down and do the things that bring you joy, surrounded by the people you care about.

One thing that's been on my mind a lot the last few weeks is not only making space in our schedules for the things that bring us joy, but also for rest! And that also means making space for rest in our minds. 

For me it looks like choosing to take time to unwind at night and early in the morning to turn off all the outside voices that I don't need constantly vying for my attention (work, outside stressors, news, media, social media, etc). Is anyone else with me?

I honestly have been struggling with that lately. It's almost like I can't slow my mind down because I've got a lot on it. So, I have to make time for it. Each night before bed and again in the morning when I wake up, I make time for journaling. I have a few prompts I've created to make it easy.

Morning:

1. What am I grateful for right now?

2. What am I learning in my Bible reading/devotions right now?

3. What are my top three priorities for today?

Evening:

1. What am I grateful for right now?

2. What conversations need my attention tomorrow?

3. What are my top three priorities for tomorrow?

4. Brain Dump - Just write down anything else I have on my mind so I can go to sleep. 

I haven't met my goal of doing it every single day, but when I get in this rhythm, it's a powerful way to wind my mind down at night before bed and then to focus on what's most important first thing in the morning. It has helped me rest.

What practices do you have in place to calm your mind and declutter it from all the voices you have vying for your attention? Follow me @andreaolsonmusic in Instagram and DM me about it!

And if you want to borrow my journal prompts, go for it! I hope this practice is as helpful for you as it is for me!