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Michael's avatar

"...I’m trying to do the work of being myself. "

Why did this hit me so hard? I never thought of it this way before. Especially after having kids, I have struggled with this concept. I'll be thinking on this for a while now.

100% would love a photo journaling post. I've been regularly journaling for the past year, and have been looking to add a mini photo printer to add to my mix.

And I am absolutely a re-reader. I am also a believer that certain books/movies/music/etc. are meant to find you at specific times in your life. I have books that have been on my shelf unread for years, and one day I'll think about it, read it, and feel like there was divine intervention on why I hadn't read it until that moment.

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Catherine Engle's avatar

Echoing those who are clamoring for a photo journaling post! I use Instagram that way often, but sometimes feel like I don't always need the words to be for the world as much as for me, you know?

Also very much a re-reader, and I continue to encourage our kids to be as well. So many books are changed by the lens through which we read them. <3

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Kym VdP's avatar

Breanne your descriptions and metaphors get me every time. Beautiful writing as always. So glad you get your words here for everyone to savour.

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Emily's avatar

I’m team reread. Just spent a quiet Christmas at home and listened to Chronicles of Narnia on audiobook and was struck how they landed on me this time. Really resonated with The Silver Chair this time. The signs never look like I expect them to and my “imaginary” world is better than reality but I believe it is there and will keep fighting for it.

Fighting looks like going to urgent care and taking antibiotics and curling up in blankets on my cozy bed and reading books right now and refusing to panic about the bank account and doing what I’m able to do and taking delight in it.

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Cassy's avatar

Team re-read! 🙋🏼‍♀️ This post resonated with me so much - a beautiful reminder and encouragement as we start the new year 🩵

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Cara Trantham's avatar

“It’s the first week of 2025, a fresh year is unfurling your palms. How will you hold it? How will you tend it? How will you let it tend you?”

You put words to the questions I’ve been asking my heart these last few weeks. Thank you for pulling out your wool socks on a cold morning to give us a gift!

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Jacqueline Eldridge's avatar

This was such a beautiful post, I resonated with such a lot of what you wrote. I feel like “trying to do the work of being myself” is a great way to describe this strange season I’m in. Thank you for your beautiful words and lovely photos, and the reminder to abide in Estel.

Yes please to the photo journaling post, and definitely to the re-reading!

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Aimee Guest's avatar

feel so many parallel connections in your post:

limping into the new year with recovery from hand surgery in December (after a car accident at the end of September).

also always looking for the sun. love the miniature disco ball.❤️

had a big year of re-reading this past year and I didn't feel too bad about it (simply spending time with old friends rather than making new acquaintances).

i also got a mini printer this christmas and used it in my journaling reflections for the year (with washi tape, too) as well as plan to add photos to my five year journal this year.

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Carl T's avatar

I am team reread. I don’t remember where I first heard this comparison but it makes perfect sense to me — good books are like good friends — they reward time spent with them, finding something new in the retelling of old stories.

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Tabitha Panariso's avatar

Adding to the swarm to say POST ABOUT PHOTO JOURNALING PLEASE. And, just thinking about how much you teach me to see the good even as it mingles with the limp, the hard, the unfinished. Grateful.

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Tabitha Panariso's avatar

AND THANK YOU for sharing about my book. I don't think you even know how much you've taught me to be a better writer and person. ❤️

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Abigail Taylor's avatar

You inspired me to buy a mini photo printer! I’d love a post on this. And yes, re-reading 1000%.

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Amy Hancock's avatar

Id love a post on photo journaling. I bought myself a mini photo printer for Christmas just for this idea.

Love your words always.

Team “I’m 53 and have only reread East of Eden, a few bits of CS Lewis and Flannery OConner short stories”.

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Paul Neel's avatar

I love the well needed reminder that redemption is not just possible but in fact the mission of the God who loves us. Including the reminder that it is not up to me to accomplish all of that. My job is as you well put, to be faithful and show up to the work. Great words for 2025.

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Mackenzie's avatar

Your writing is magical, Breanne! This sentence was 😍😍: “I check the forecast like an anxious lover checks the mailbox for an overseas note”. The imagery! ♥️ Also, team reread always!

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Bailey Gillespie's avatar

Exquisite. I so love and enjoy your writing. And yes! I’d love a post wholly dedicated to picture-journaling. I’m intrigued. I was given a mini Polaroid this spring during wedding season, and it sounds like the embodied project I need in my life right now. 😊

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Lisa Hensley's avatar

I’d love a post on photo journaling! And I am also a major re-reader! I’m always different when I return to a book.

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