Romanticize the mundane.

Sometimes what you spend most of your time doing isn’t what fills your heart.

Sometimes the routine of your week feels like you’re caught in a repetitive loop.

And when you find yourself stuck in the rut of wishing things looked different, perhaps it’s time to focus on the small things—the mornings before, the afternoon breaks, the evenings after—to keep you going.

This morning, when my alarm began its sunrise at 5:00am, I woke up with a question on my heart.

What am I going to make of today?

I laid in bed for half an hour pondering what could bring me joy today.

After snoozing the alarm three too many times, I sat up, got dressed, and moped out to the garage to work out.

As Callie, my favorite Peloton instructor, hyped up the class, I rolled out my yoga mat with an audible exhale. 

I peered out the garage door windows to see that the sky was still cloaked in a deep blue. Longing for the sunrise to come a bit quicker, my mind started to wander.

I thought about the iced latte I was going to make and the cute outfit I had laid out the night before.

I thought about the cozy spot in our living room, where I was going to snuggle up in a blanket and read my Bible.

I thought about the ride into work when I would listen to worship music and my ride home when I’d turn on one of my favorite podcasts. 

I thought about the picnic table in my office courtyard where I’d eat my lunch, warmed by the sun and soothed by the sound of the splashing fountain. 

As I continued to follow Callie, I felt a little better about the day ahead. 

While you’re on this journey of figuring out what you love, look for the little things that make you smile. Focus on the moments, no matter how small, of your daily routine that bring you joy.

Maybe you don’t need the caffeine, but a morning decaf latte makes you excited to get moving.

Maybe you don’t feel like it initially, but a morning workout wakes you up and gives you energy to start your day.

Maybe you’re sleepy, but getting up a half hour early so you can take your morning slow makes for a peaceful beginning instead of a frantic one.

I am incredibly thankful for my job. God is using it to provide for me, pay off my student loans, allow me to live out a very flexible schedule, and gain experience in a field of interest. In between the mumbles and occasional groans, God gets an earful of each week, I praise Him continually for this position.

I also know that there is a desire in me to do more of what I feel God has created me for. And yes, there are differing opinions on how we should feel about our jobs. Some people preach loving what you do to the degree that you no longer feel like it’s work because you love it so much. And others don’t think that’s realistic. So, they conclude that you shouldn’t focus on loving your job, but rather push through the grind for the sake of a stable income and reliable benefits. I’m still not sure where I stand. And I don’t feel like I want to be persuaded one way or the other. 

This is where my heart wrestles with the “in between”. My sweet spot is a place where gratitude for God’s provision by means of this job coexists with my desire for something more–something that fills my heart. While on the surface these feelings contradict each other, they can most certainly reside together. I know God graciously accepts both. 

I’m not sure how long my daydreams of dancing down Main Street USA will live in my head, as I spend most of my time sitting still. But I do know that while I wait (not always so patiently), there is joy to be found in the mundane.

Oftentimes, my 8:00am to 7:00pm looks pretty similar from one day to the next. But in all the little moments between, I have the ability to add some sparkle. If you’re not sure how to cultivate this mindset, I’ll leave you with some of my favorite tips:

• Listen to music while you work! I pop one AirPod in at my desk and listen to a playlist that transports me to a different scene. On these crisp fall mornings, I turn on Nat King Cole’s Autumn playlist and pretend I’m working at a coffee shop in a little Northeast town, surrounded by fall colors. In the afternoons, I hype myself up with my favorite worship playlist. Music has an incredible ability to lift our spirits. 

• Daydream a little. One of my dreams is to live in Hawaii. On warm, sunny days, I pretend that the window behind my desk is a scenic view of palm trees and lush tropical plants. Use your imagination and pretend a little. You’d be surprised at how it can make you smile.

  You see a hedge? I see hibiscus.

A corporate building? You mean the Maui Marriott.

You’re telling me you don’t see those gorgeous palm trees??

• Create a workspace that reflects your personality and favorite things. It seems small, but I found I enjoyed settling in at my desk each morning more this way. I decorated my space down to the aesthetic pens and the color of my sticky notes. And yes, I feel a bit cuter writing myself a reminder on a pink notepad. ;)

• Look forward to fun things! Maybe it’s the Dancing With The Stars episode dropping that night or your puppy, who you absolutely cannot wait to see as soon as you get home. Maybe it’s 15 minutes of scrolling on Pinterest during a break to spark your creativity. Or maybe it’s a trail mix with your favorite chocolate chips you’ll enjoy on your drive home. I’d encourage making a list! Think about as many little things as you can that you’re excited for. Nothing is too small or silly. I can’t tell you how excited I get to fly through the door and change into my favorite PJ set as soon as I get home. There’s nothing like taking off your work clothes to put on something cozy at the end of the day. 

Trust me, I get it. The days still feel long. Your heart still longs for your unmet dream. But I hope you’ll join me in romanticizing the mundane, searching for joy in every margin. Your mindset changes everything. Just because you aren’t living your dream right now doesn’t mean this season has to be a drag. There’s always a way to find joy.

Remember, you are loved by God, wonderfully made, and beautifully you. Don’t let someone else’s voice speak louder than what’s true.

Until next time…

hugs,

Kylie