I still remember my engaged self and husband-to-be visiting local stores to create our wedding registry. A luxury absolutely, but it felt SO exciting and grown-up to be choosing these things that would help us make a life. I kinda can’t believe that 15 years later we still employ so many of those items, but also how many of them didn’t serve us long or who we would become over time - people who love to entertain, yes, but also people who love adventures and simplicity more than storing things.

Since then we have broken many dishes, replaced our everyday bowls with something more colorful, given away unused items, inherited pieces from grandparents, received items as gifts, had 3 kids and shifted our kitchen around more times than I can count (sorry, hubby). I realize that in this at-the-speed-of-light stage of life, with babies quickly growing into toddlers, then suddenly into tweens and onward, and currently for us, preparing to welcome a pet later this year, our spaces must constantly evolve or else become overtaken by every stage of life all at once.

That is why I am always striving to #makeroomforjoy, to shift and embrace whatever stage we are in even as we say a bittersweet goodbye to one that is now in the past (re: baby bottles on the counter). It is why I put together a monthly challenge for myself and for you that you can hopefully come back to as you transition through various seasons of life.

Join us on Instagram + Facebook and share how you #makeroomforjoy by tackling various categories in various spaces each month. Once you’ve “cleared a space”, take a look at your everyday dishes and part with those items (i.e. toddler dishes) that are no longer needed. Ask around your neighborhood about whether any new mamas need some bottles or bibs, or if your church is aware of a family in need. Schedule some time this weekend to make some room and be fully present in your current season of life.