One thing I’ve always wanted to do with my blog and Instagram alike, and one thing I strive to do even more so this year, is to show that there is so much beauty in the ordinary.
It’s so easy to be on social media and see people who are traveling the world and have these extravagant lives that are the furthest thing away from our day-to-day lives, and feel like we’re living a boring, ordinary, monotonous life. I’ve been so blessed to be able to travel and I do share a lot of those pictures, because it is so fun to take pictures and capture memories in those beautiful places, but that’s not what I do on a daily basis haha. My daily routine is pretty much the same as any other 21 year old college girl. Even amidst our ordinary, busy, and sometimes messy day-to-day lives, there is so much beauty and grace if we keep an eye out for it and sometime just make it ourselves.
Tuesday I woke up, read a bit, took a shower, had some coffee, was late to my first day of class (of course…), ran to Target, didn’t have what I wanted so ran to Michaels, got home, had lunch with JL, went back to Michael’s to meet my friend Tess and buy yarn, came back to my house, we made some wall-hangings, Pippa chewed on mine, didn’t finish mine, watched The Glass Castle, ordered books for school, went to bed.
Such a normal day with nothing crazy and not everything went 100% right.
But I woke up. God gave me another day.
Hot water.
I’ve got a sweet husband to make me coffee.
Coffee. Coffee in itself, what a blessing amiright!
Was late to class, but my professor smiled and greeted me with grace as I walked in.
Coupon at Michaels what what.
JL’s and my schedules give us lunch time together.
Back at Michaels I got to hear the sweet cashier talk so proudly about her son who had just written a book.
It was warm enough that we got to sit on the porch for a while and the sun was out.
Time with a sweet and dear friend.
Got to watch a movie I’ve been anticipating for a month since I finished the book.
Praise the Lord for Amazon Prime for ordering books.
I’m working on keeping an eye out for the beautiful things, but also working on making them happen as well.
It really was so beautiful to me to see the grace in my professor’s eyes as I walked in late. That was something I took notice of.
It was also beautiful to get to spend time with a friend and create something with our hands. That was something we planned and made happen.
I guess it’s just a little balance of both.
As good ole Hannah Montana would say:
“Life’s what you make it.”
/////////////
If you wanna make a wall-hanging here’s what we did:
Go to Michael’s or Hobby Lobby for yarn.
(ALWAYS go with the app because at least Michael’s, but I think both, ALWAYS have a coupon whoop whoop)
We got about 6 different ones between the 2 of us. I’d say get at least 5 different spools (??) or yarn. Different colors, textures, sizes.
Go out in your yard and get a limb.
Then just start tying your yarn on it.
You can leave some just hanging, or braid them, knot them…just whatever you’re feeling!
We would double a piece of yarn then know it at the top where two pieces were hanging down (if that makes sense)
Then tie a piece on both ends to hang it. 🙂
**** I just want to make something very clear. I am not at all complaining about this day. It was a good day! All I want to show you is what a normal day for me looks like. I am extremely blessed with many incredible opportunities and trips that I get to take, but thats not what the majority of my time looks like. I’m in college, and that’s what my normal days look like haha, just class. I don’t want you to look at my blog and instagram and all I share be trips. I wanted to share with you what a normal day looks like, and how even in the normal days there is so much to be thankful for. It can be easy to live just waiting for the weekend or waiting for the next big trip/thing. Especially when I am struggling with chronic illness, it’s really necessary for me to find joy in the daily things that seem monotonous. Anything that I write to you guys is what I myself am working on and trying to learn myself. I hope you don’t feel like I’m ever talking down to you.
I was DYING at this picture of Pippa…..looks like she has no head hahaha.
shoppable links:
tennis shoes // jeans (I recommend sizing down) // sweatshirt
This was just what I needed to hear today, so thank you so much for sharing! After work last night I got trapped in a spiral of negative thinking and was feeling really down about my seemingly endless 9-5 work grind. I feel like sometimes when I’m at my desk I scroll through Instagram and see photos of people who travel all the time or work from home or don’t work at all and I tend to think “why can’t that be my life?”. Thanks for reminding me to look for the beauty in each day and, if I can’t find any, to make my own. Xoxo
-Abby
http://www.whatisabbydoing.com
PS – You should help a sister out and write a DIY post about how to make that adorable wall hanging!! : ) haha
Ahh so happy to hear that! Also added some steps on how to make one 🙂
I’m so glad you included that! Love the little diy tips!
Thanks so much!! I went to Michaels the other weekend and bought a bunch of pretty yarn and started making one for our bedroom. It is looking so cute!! And it’s oddly relaxing to make! <3
LOVE this! ps i have been dying to see what JL & your house looks like. please do a house tour :-))
Love that reminder! The little things are just as precious, yet we often overlook them so easily. And we have so many blessings that we take for granted!! Btw, I’ve found valorebooks.com to be the cheapest textbook source around… just putting that out there in case anyone needs it! ??
This is such a great reminder! Plus I love the wall hanging!
Great reminder to find beauty in the monotony of life. Thank you, and Pippa is adorable. I love dogs!!!
Love the simplicity of this post! You’re definitely right about social media. Glad you’re a blogger who speaks the Word of God and displays the beauty of ‘ordinary’!
Awe Mary Kate you are such a beauty! I’m so many ways! One thing I really adore when I read these posts is the friendships! It isn’t easy to find Christian friends where I am, sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be in a big town or at a big university or a big church and if that would make it easier! But when I go through your posts I am reminded that god is on the move, you can have good Christian friendships and also that I am thankful for your blog! And your Instagram and your voice, we may be thousands of miles away but your words still sweetly warm me, your pictures inspire and spark ideas, and you remind me of how much gods light shines within!
Thanks for sharing!
I know that you’ve been struggling w Lymes and just know I am thinking about oh and your family and praying for you!
Hugs!!!
P.S part of the beauty in your pictures is that they make me feel like I can imagine the smiles, laughs and giggles you share! It’s like a stop on the clock! You have such good photography skills! ❤️
Such a beautiful reminder. Something that I think is really hard for so many. I for one feel like it’s a daily battle to do something crazy but in reality I just need to be and be okay with that. But that’s not what’s “in” right now and honestly never something I’ve been able to do. But oh goodness I’m just getting started in this life thing and I’ve got another 70 years of just being and being happy with that ? thanks for sharing!!
[…] inspired by @thelittleduckwife […]
Hi Mary Kate! Will you do a house tour on your blog?? ?
love love love this post. don’t let anyone discourage you through misunderstanding/not being able to see your point in this blog post. I tend to always go go go each day and never thank the Lord for the little things and things that we take for granted each and everyday. you’re a gem! keep doing what you’re doing. you make this world a brighter place
I love everything you share! Always humble and real. You are very blessed, but aren’t we all? We just have to see life the way God does, and be aware of the little details that make life so worth living.
Greetings from Mexico!!
Ps. I’d love to know how to make that adorable wall hanging too
I love this, so honest and so real. People often forget that “celebrities” are people too. Their lives aren’t all glitz and glamour, travel and triumph. They make their beds, cook meals, clean house, and do everything everyone does. My friends and I have actually had the conversation in a bible study group about how even Jesus was a person that did people things. Yes He was the Messiah, but He also was a human. And humans eat, sleep, play and poop. ?
I love this comment! I think about this a lot too! In fact lately I look at celebrities like Taylor swift or whoever and think, “they really are just other human beings” Maybe it’s jsut because I’m getting older but I’m not so much a “fan girl” I’m more aware that we are all equals and loved by god!
Mary Kate this is beautiful! You have no idea how badly I needed this right now, it’s like you spoke right to me haha 🙂 As a fellow college student I love how relatable and honest you are it’s so refreshing and has really helped me with my own struggles in college. Love you, also you look just adorable in this btw!
I’m 21 and in college as well so I relate to this so much! Finding joy and beauty in each day is something I’m striving to do better in. Thank you for allowing Jesus to talk through you! I was in Birmingham last night and then saw that you’re gonna be with John Luke at the alternative (I would’ve been half way there but was already on my way home to MS.) hope tonight goes great! Also loved what you had to add to this blog. Keep doing what you’re doing! ?
I really loved reading this post and it really means a lot to me. I also have a chronic illness and am a junior in college and being able to read a blog about someone else with one really makes feel like I am not alone. I love reading about the little joys in your life because it helps me to see them in my life!
I think this was a great post! Loved it so much!! I’m also a senior in college and I think it’s so important like you said, to find joy in the everyday life. I’ve delt with anxiety and depression a lot since being in college, so your post was an encouragment to me! You are awesome!!!
Mary Kate, you are one of my dearest friends even though I have never met you. You are my inspiration and role model. I want to become the woman of God you are right now. You are so real and always seem to find the good in very hard season. You truly live out “the Joy of the Lord is my strength” in your life. I love you MK, keep finding the magnificent in the mundane.
Hello,
I just wanted to encourage you after reading your last Instagram story. Sadly, there will always be people who feel the need to be a discouragement to others. But for every one of the negative people there are hundreds if not thousands of people who benefit from the words you share. God has given you such a gift. I praise Him for your life and the blessing you are to people all over the world. I look forward to seeing how God continues to use you for His glory.
Ladies, let’s remember that we are all on the same team. Let’s not succumb to the enemie’s level and pick each other apart. God has been good to Mary Kate, even in the mundane. And I have confidence that God has been good to you all as well, even if it may be hard to see at times. We were made for greater things and greater purposes. Let’s encourage one another and leave the rest up to the Giver of all things good.
An ordinary day for Mary Kate isn’t going to be the same ordinary day for you. It’s all about perceptive and where you are in life. Of course she can take trips to the coffee shop and make time for crafts. She is a young adult and she can make the time for “me time”. Mary Kate you’re a great person and I love seeing your post and outfit tips. Please continue to be a inspiration.
Hello Mary Kate,
Thank you for such a wonderful post! I myself am a 22 year old college student, and love how you’ve found such beauty in the ordinary! This is exactly the encouragement I’ve needed to hear as I’m in such a heavy semester! Thank you for your willingness to share your heart!
Keep letting you’re light shine!
I just want to encourage you to continue to be the woman God has designed you to be. Look at all of the positive comments that came up and that is evidence that God is using you in the lives of others. No one but Jesus can make everyone happy. Relax baby girl! It’s just people’s opinion on here! You only need to be concerned about the opinion of the Most Hog and He thinks you are amazing!!!!
Most hog!!! Lolol Old people texting! Most High!
Seeing the beauty of the Lord in your typical day is easy to overlook. Not hard to do, but easy for EVERYONE to overlook. We ALL do it. That’s why I love this. You are choosing to see the Lord in the midst of your most typical moments. AND It’s so easy to see the Lord’s beauty and give him the glory while we are out doing something extravagant. That’s why I ADORE this post 🙂 Choosing to see the Lords beauty in the typical day!
On another note – Comparison is the thief of joy. Clearly that is what people forget, so when they have read this post and compared their life to yours, it was easy to falsely judge and simply forget about the real meaning of life. (And come on people! Is that truly showing the Love of Christ!?) It is not about YOU! Or what YOU have to do or what YOU have done. It is about the Lord, and giving him the glory through even your most typical day!
Much love!
Mary Kate you are such a beautiful inspiration. I enjoy reading about the revelations you have been getting. Would u be able to tell me the website you used to set up your blog? I was thinking about starting my own. ? thanks!
Wonderful words Mary Kate! I absolutely adore your blog and your heart for Christ! I love the encouragement you give. After reading several of the comments, I’ve come to this conclusion: we react the way we do based on past experiences. For instance: recently I planned to go to Hong Kong for 5 weeks and I was so excited because it was finally my turn to see the world. Then, 3 weeks before I was to leave they emailed me and told me the trip was canceled because the group leader backed out. Since then it has been hard for me to see all these people who get to go travel because now all I’m doing is working day in and day out. So I can see where both sides are coming from. But one thing I’ve learned through this journey is that I can’t take out my frustration on other people. They had nothing to do with my past experiences. Learning to be happy with where I’m at is a process, but I’m very grateful to have a blog like this to read to remind me to find joy in the mundane things of life. Thanks Mary Kate! ♥️♥️ Keep it up! ?
Please don’t get discouraged by the comments of those who don’t understand—it’s hard to understand what we can’t see clearly! I also come from a Lyme family, and it’s been the darkest and toughest fight of my life for years. My husband and I have to go over just three things each day that I was grateful for and it’s a beautiful practice to start, especially when everything in my life is laced with chronic pain. Thanks for sharing! And keep sharing. I was so excited when I first learned you were sharing your story of Lyme in your own life! 🙂
You are amazing. You are strong. You are fearless. You are so brave to point out what everyone else is so careful not to. You truly are a beautiful person, and your day to day life is so sweet. I’m glad we have people in our world like you to be okay with the flaws and the mean comments back at them. Don’t let them get to your beautiful soul. Love you sister.
I think this blog post is incredible. As individuals we forget about simple things and those are some of the most special things in life. By no means have I ever thought of you as “spoiled,” you live your life, you inspire all of us, and you teach us through your own experiences how you better yourself & always keep Christ at your center. I think you’re extremely brave and strong, Lyme is a serious illness. I also believe that you are very thankful for what you have and it is shown in the way you not only love God, but love everyone around you. Have a fantastic day.
I loved this post! It was such a good reminder. You have such a beautiful heart and I have loved being able to watch you grow your faith in so many ways over the years. Thank you for wearing your heart on your sleeve for all of us, it’s all for God’s glory! If you haven’t read A Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp you would love it! It’s all about finding beauty and gratitude in the ordinary. You do you, girl! ❤️
Ann, remember IG accounts are something we all choose to follow. I am old enough to be MK’s mother and as I tell my daughters do no follow accounts that stir things up you’re not ready to handle at this stage in your life. Whenever I find myself not being able to be happy for someone’s trip, vacations, hobbies, joys etc, that’s my cue to unfollow for a while instead of advising the person to change what they wish to post about. Social media can be wonderful but it can be very difficult as well for everyone.
Girl, don’t ever feel the need to apologize to others for what you’ve been blessed with!!! You should never have to feel sorry or bad about being wealthy haha it’s God’s gift to your family! It’s what we do with it that matters 🙂
The highs and lows of life pass like the tide. Soak in these great blessings while you’re in the moment. All we can do is pray for those who wish to bring others down with criticism.
As someone who has lived through a lot and continue to struggle through chronic migraines/headaches, I found your perspective very encouraging. Sometimes the day doesn’t go “wrong,” but sometimes we also struggle to see the hand of God in the little things. You said, “Even amidst our ordinary, busy, and sometimes messy day-to-day lives, there is so much beauty and grace if we keep an eye out for it and sometime just make it ourselves.” When my life was at its worst, when my ordinary was full of pain, sometimes making simple lists of things that I had to praise God for was what refocused me on how big He was. As humans, we tend to focus on what doesn’t wow us, when there is so much to daily worship God for, to rest in the awe of our Lord.
For those being accusatory, I am betting you are not content. I’m betting you don’t find joy in your daily life. I’m betting you don’t practice gratitude regularly! Mary Kate is not a mom and she’s not in that season, if she had children I can confidently say she would do all the same things you do with a GRATEFUL heart! I believe in your shoes she would be grateful for healthy children, for time to spend with them on the way to school, for the sweet house she takes care of. Here is something I have learned about social media, I need to follow people I admire and look up to. I need examples of beautiful graceful living. Mary Kate provides those things and I so I follow her. If you don’t see those things in her then maybe this isn’t the space for you. BUT there is one! Find a mamma you can admire and work to be like her. OR just keep your thought to yourself.
Here’s some other perspectives for this post it seems you missed.
MK chooses to be disciplined enough to get up early and read and set herself up for a great day before the pressures of the world.
she prioritizes her marriage and is grateful for extra time with her husband during this season!
She chooses to be an intentional friend and warm homemade in order to have friends over and foster those relationships.
She chose to have joy that day regardless of her body’s incessant revolting.
So I would encourage those of you who have chosen to ridicule MK to stop and find some beauty in your own life, before you criticize someone else’s life. I’m sure you’re exhausted, that the to do list seems never ending, but it’s not permanent. The kids will be grown and gone and having days *just like this at college and I bet you will miss watching them sleep, and wiping sticky fingers, and being woken to “mama” we all have hardships and we all have beauty and the thing we seek is what will be apparent to others. I would also encourage you with this, what do you hope your children grow up to be? How do you hope they act? I hope they find joy despite sorrow. And life and beauty in their everyday. I am personally so thankful for this post and loved reading it! Because we all need to be reminded that joy is a choice and we’re all just humans flawed and imperfect loved by a perfect God.
The thing I find most impressive by the entire thread of comments, minus the two unkind ones, was how encouraging and sweet they are. Even when talking to the two women who are essentially asking you to change who you are, their responses are so kind. Love your attitude, MK. One of the things many don’t understand about Gods word is testing and blessing…you have been blessed in specific areas of your life and have testing in others. It is NEVER wrong to praise the Lord for our blessings- or even to share how you chose to have a great perspective during our day to days.
Very beautiful post! As someone mentioned, I am so glad girls have someone to look up to as role models. I’m glad my little sisters can see you living your life for Jesus. Keep seeking the Lord and sharing what God is teaching you. It hurts me to think that women are so eager to tear you down for your experiences traveling,etc. Keep exploring the world when you have the opportunity!! Thanks for your wise words!
I love you, Mary Kate! Always so important to find beauty in everyday and everything! God bless!
Ann sounds jealous lol.
By the way, another name for the wall hangings if you want to get fancy – is- Macramé!
Mary Kate, I want to tell you that I find so much comfort, joy, and inspiration in your blog posts. I also live with a chronic illness and just started a new medication. Instead of feeling any better, I’ve just been dealing with awful side effects on top of the daily struggle—something you know all to well I’m sure. I had been stuck in the house for a few days due to feeling too sick and then read this post. I went in my front yard, found a stick, and came inside and got some of my old yarn and began tying it on. I laughed at the ridiculousness of my puffy, irritable, broken out, exhausted self sitting on the kitchen floor in my pajamas with a stick and a pile of yarn. It’s not pretty, but I *did* something that brought me peace and distraction during a much needed time. So, thank you. Thank you for showing that life is not perfect but worth celebrating anyway. Thank you for putting yourself out there, knowing that there will always be people who won’t understand & won’t appreciate the necessity to celebrate the little things. I think I have decided my new “sick day” hobby will be tying yarn to sticks haha.
Mary Kate, I usually don’t write any comments (even though I read all your blog posts haha) but I felt that this time I needed to after reading a couple of negative comments. Maybe they’ve just had a bad day and envy just got the best of them or they just completely missunderstood your point. Either way, I hope you’re able to remember how much God uses your blog post to reach so many people in a good way. I work a ton, don’t have any money, currently struggling with anxiety and depression and sometimes just feel like life isn’t going anywhere for me. But everytime I read your blogs, I feel so encouraged. I’m at a hard long season in my life and sometimes it’s difficult to remember God’s goodness in my daily life, so again this is yet another blog post that has been an encouragement to me. You’re a few years younger than I am and yet have so much wisdom that God has bestowed upon you because of your walk with the Lord and the people you surround yourself with. This blog post was a fun read (which I needed after a very long day of work) and yet it inspired me to challenge myself to think more positively no matter how my day looked like. So I hope you continue to write just as you always have. Even the links to what you’re wearing because I am always curious too even if I can’t afford it! But I still love to know even if it’s just to dream for now! 🙂
Mary Kate, finding beauty in day to day is wonderful, and in sharing this you are truly showing others that you can find joy in so much! Keep your head up. Be the Mary in a Martha world. 🙂
Matthew 5:44
As for those who seem to be degrading her for this post: remember, you made the choice to take time to read her opinions and feelings so bashing those opinions and feelings does nothing but stir the pot. She is a young married college student, that in itself has its own stresses! I was in college when I married and am now new mom. All of these seasons had their struggles but also had tremendous blessings! Yes, there are days that seem mundane with an endless load of things to do. But why not be thankful for the tasks at hand, knowing you’re needed and loved and wanted. See that these seasons change in a instant. See that being positive is ok. Stay realistic, it’s ok to feel weighed down in these seasons of life, but don’t let it keep you down. 🙂
Thank you for sharing! As a college student who spends most of my days in this ordinary mundane, it is so easy to take for granted what I have been given and not realize the grace of that teacher or that coffee with a friend. I just want to let you know that your words are always so life-giving and never come across in arrogance or pride, but always out of a humble and kind heart. I would love to see more posts like these. Because even though we may not share the same opportunities, wealth, fame, etc., what matters is that we are in this life thing together. And we are all just trying to find out “how do I find joy in ____?” And that looks different for everyone. Thanks for sharing how you are doing that. It is so refreshing.
It sounds to me like Ann and Beth have some personal jealousy and comparison issues they need to work out with God.
Mary Kate, keep doing you. I love your art project, and will probably try to make one when I get home tomorrow! It seems perfect for an empty wall space I’ve been trying to fill.
Also, I don’t think your clothes are expensive. I’m all for buying higher quality and lower quantity. If other people don’t want to pay that much for jeans or if they can’t, that’s not on you. $75 is not a lot for jeans at all in my opinion, it’s what I would spend on average.
I hope you are able to look past the few ugly comments and feel uplifted through all the people supporting you. I have lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease, so I feel you. And, most people will never understand what kind of part that plays in your life and how inhibiting it can be.
I hope these words brought some encouragement to you. You are so humble and kind, it is very evident in all of your posts. I would have never thought of you as spoiled. Blesse? In some ways, yes. In other ways, (like chronic illness) no. I am glad you are able to find joy in the mundane, sometimes that is one of the hardest of all.
I’ve struggled with comparing my life to others who seem to have it much better or easier than I. But what we forget is that everyone is blessed and everyone struggles, just in different ways. I may not be able to go on lots of vacations or trips, but I am blessed in the fact that I don’t suffer from a chronic illness that affects me daily. If we always focus on what we don’t have, we forget what we do have. My aunt was able to go on many trips and do lots of things but she also was unable to have children. Someone else looking in sees only the things that THEY want and thinks that person has it all, when really they may trade it all in a heartbeat. We do need to find beauty in everyday. There are many things I wish I could do, but I’m blessed with a husband and own a home at 23. Count your blessings. Love each ordinary day.
This is a beautiful post and wonderful reminder! Please keep sharing things like this as well. For one unnecessarily negative person there’s 1,000 of us that love what you share and do! I struggle in finding beauty in the ordinary, so thank you.
I am so sorry you deal with Lyme disease. Yet you see the blessings God gives you , and focus on those. You honor Him by praising Him in the small things , as He tells us to do, and since He inhabits our praise, your writing invues Him into the midst of every reader! Thank you for shari g His love and light. You should never apologize for being blessed – you share His love and thatvis what we are called to do. I’m so sorry for those who speak words of hurt … thank God for His grace for us all ! ❤️
I love this and you Mary Kate, your writing is ALWAYS such an encouragement and blessing in my life!
Please don’t ever be afraid to share your words. I have probably read every single blog post by now, and I can tell how pure and genuine your intentions are. You are somehow always learning the same things I need to and it’s so comforting for me to know that while our lives look pretty different in some ways, I often need to learn the very same things you are learning. God always uses you when I read your words and I love it! Just remember, “Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. …”
MaryKate you’re a huge inspiration to me! Thank you for your posts, it would be amazing if you made videos on YouTube, you have helped so many of us in letting us know we are not alone in our struggles ?
I notice that sometimes I have a problem with living in the moment. Thank you so much for this. Love you and your thought process.
This is my favorite blog of yours so far MK. Love you.
I am not sure which blog post you shared that you are struggling with cystic acne, but I recently was told about this super cheap and effective treatment:
https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/de-la-cruz-sulfur-ointment-10-acne-medication-ointment/ID=prod2872361-product?AID=10654946&PID=2178999&SID=3053170121&CID=1909792&ext=2178999
I am sure you are trying tons of stuff and are really frustrated, but I hope you find something that will help! Acne stinks, but you are honestly still so pretty!
thank you so much!!
Love your writing style! So fun to read! And love the photos!
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