As a Christian homeschooling mother, being content in raising my children and embracing our own unique family journey is essential if I am to nurture a joyful and fulfilling home environment, as well as be at peace personally. I’ll be honest- I am not always content, and I don’t always feel like being content. However I recognise that it is crucial to learn how to embrace contentment if I am going to thrive in this chapter and season of my life. Paul says in Philippians 4:11-13 “I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances”.

Finding contentment as a mother and woman is an area that we have to hold focus on because God has blessed us with so much, even when we are going through difficult seasons. I have found that when I shut my eyes and ears to the noise of the world and tune into my own life and the journey that God has me on, contentment grows in my heart. I am satisfied with what I have, who I am, and where I am going. Here are some practical steps that we can take to cultivate contentment and enjoyment, whatever season we find ourselves in.

1. Ground Ourselves in Faith

Our spiritual tanks run on empty, flashing red – a warning sign that if we do not fill up immediately, we will dry up, die out, and grow weary. The amount of time we invest into our spiritual lives is just not enough. We can never have too much of God. He is our anchor, foundation and hope. Yet if I am honest, with how busy my days are, I am often left feeling so tired physically tired that it is sometimes a challenge to reach towards things that will build me up in faith. Yet that is exactly where we need to be at all times during the day. If having lengthy moments to fill up your spiritual tank is just not possible and feels too overwhelming, then take it in bite sized portions.

Start each day with prayer and scripture reading for a few minutes as this will set the tone for the day. Listen to short podcasts, Youtube clips, audiobooks or songs throughout the day. All of these things help to keep our spiritual lives pumping as we face different things each day. Trusting God is believing that He loves us, He is good, He has the power to help us, He wants to help us, and He will help us. Settle your heart on this truth daily and you’ll soon realise contentment and gratitude growing within you.

2. Embrace Flexibility

This isn’t always easy but necessary because life is a journey filled with ups and downs, twists and turns. Embracing flexibility gives room for spontaneity. As a type A person, I don’t typically do well in this area as I enjoy structure and predictability. However, it is true that embracing flexibility helps us to let go of rigid expectations and enjoy the unique opportunities that arise each day.

So what are some practical ways to do this in order to be content? Well, in all your planning, don’t forget to build-in flexibility, allowing room for adjustments as needed. Secondly, mindfulness practices such as meditation on the Word or deep breathing helps us to stay focused on the present moment and reduces anxiety about the future. Varying our routines every now and then helps to introduce variety in our lives and helps us to become more comfortable with change.

3. Focus on Relationships

The backbone of society and family life is built upon the quality of relationships between us humans. One of the wonderful things that God has given us is the ability to form deep bonds that transcend time. Prioritising building strong relationships with our children, spouses and friends helps to create opportunities for meaningful connections which fill up our contentment bucket daily. It takes intentional work, but the output of this work truly enriches our lives.

We can build this area of our lives down by slowing down, and taking stock of the people in our lives. Write down a list of all these special people and what they mean to you and you’ll instantly realise how blessed you are. Then have a think about how you can increase or deepen your bond with them Some examples are quality time spent together, heartfelt conversations, and shared experiences. Investing in relationships fosters a sense of closeness and unity that enhances our journey in this life and if we can find our people and build consistent healthy interactions, we’ll add several more bricks to our house of contentment and gratitude.

4. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

One of the big causes of discontentment is when we are so laser focused on perfection, that it blinds us from seeing and appreciating our progress in life no matter how small. As mothers, we try to be conscious of this for our children, but not so much for ourselves. Celebrating progress rather than perfection is an important mindset shift that can lead to greater satisfaction and motivation in our lives. Remember that perfection is elusive and ever changing based upon our ever shifting goal posts. Here are some practical ways (bullet pointed) to celebrate your progress and build contentment in this area of your life.

• Create a Success List: Maintain a list of your accomplishments and add to it regularly! Even the tiniest things… Review it periodically to remind yourself of how far you’ve come. It’s progress!
• Celebrate Milestones: Celebrate reaching milestones with small rewards or activities you enjoy, such as a favorite meal, drink, walk, snack etc. It motivates our brain to keep going and keeps us encouraged.
• Regular Reflection: Take time to reflect on your journey in a specific area of your life and the progress you’ve made. Consider what you’ve learned and how you’ve grown. This encourages gratitude.
• Positive Self-Talk: Replace negative self-talk with positive affirmations that recognise your efforts and progress. It may feel difficult and strange but stick to it. Write it down if it helps and place the affirmations in a place you know you’ll see them everyday. Positive talk and practicing self compassion takes practice.
• Forgive Mistakes: Accept that mistakes are part of the learning process and don’t dwell on them. Use them as opportunities for growth, and be grateful that you have had the opportunity to do better.

5. Practice Self-Care

Contentment can feel very difficult to reach for sometimes when we are simply burnt out or tired to the bone. Including personal renewal in our schedules helps to recharge and rejuvenate our minds, bodies, and spirit. Set aside time for activities that nourish your own soul, such as prayer, meditation, reading, or pursuing hobbies and interests. Taking care of yourself (even in small ways) allows you to show up fully present and engaged in your role- specifically for me as a homeschooling mother to three boys.

Self care and time for renewal looks different for us all, and the most important thing to remember is that you have to honour who you are and what fills your tank. By leaning into this authentically, you create and consistently build a foundation of well-being that supports a more content and fulfilling life.

Here are some Bible scriptures that I hope will encourage you on your journey of contentment.

Do Not Worry Matthew 6:25

Seek God First Matthew 6:32–33

I hope this has been helpful.

God Bless,

Alethea