hello to 2024 (erin jean warde)
For reasons both selfish and supportive of others, I did a crowdsource on Instagram, asking people’s favorite joy practices that don’t involve a ton of screen time...
hello to 2024
Thank you so much for your compassion and patience with me as I took some time off. I spent my time hosting my mom for Christmas, which was so nice. Now, like most of us, I’m trying to get into the swing of things — into the swing of 2024.
One thing I’ve noticed — within myself and others — is a need for fun things to do that feel nourishing. When we numb, we often end up turning to pastimes that don’t serve us. So changing our habits means not only removing what we dislike, but adding those more nourishing things to do.
For reasons both selfish and supportive of others, I did a crowdsource on Instagram, asking people’s favorite joy practices that don’t involve a ton of screen time. I’m going to share the list with you, in hopes it might inspire you as it has inspired me.
Joy Practice Ideas:
Reading — sometimes in a hammock even (I just got my first Kindle and I’ve read 2 fiction books since! So my extra suggestion is to try fiction!)
Listening to an audiobook while working on a puzzle or craft of some sort
Puzzles and crafts on their own!
Cross-stitch got a few shout outs specifically
Cozy one-player games or board games with friends
Lifting weights & working out
Exercise — especially to help when we are ~in a mood~ lol
Lighting candles in the home to bring in that fun ambiance
Swimming
Sewing
Long walks!
Baking/cooking fancy little snacks & lunches
Knitting
Bike riding
Dabbling in watercolors
Succulents & other plants & gardening
Going to schul/Shabbat services, church, temple — worship as a joy practice <3
Paint pens & paintable ceramics from Michael’s
Crossword puzzles
Going to the sauna solo or with friends
Writing — for fun, journaling, etc.
CrossFit
Tea — learning different teas & prep techniques
Herbalism
Gentle hiking & nature walks
Adult coloring books
Lego’s
Dancing
Oil pastels
Crocheting
Piano lessons & other fun skills to learn
Online classes based on different interests
Walk the dog & snuggle the cat & love any other type of pet you might have
Quilting
Photography
Hosting dinners
Creating rituals
Deep discussions with friends
Book club
Ballroom dancing
Singing in a choir
Doodling
I hope this list gives you some ideas, some ways you can bring nourishing joy into your life. Focusing on joy has been important for me lately, and it miiiiight end up being something I talk about more over the coming weeks. We’ll see!
Again, thank you for your patience with me, and I’m so glad to be back! <3
Love y’all,
EJW
Preaching — January 14, 2024 (Anchor Bay Church — Beverly, MA)
I’m so pumped to be preaching in the greater Boston area this weekend at Anchor Bay Church! They have a small group focused on bringing mindfulness into their relationship with alcohol alongside reading Sober Spirituality. I’ll be preaching Sunday, then doing a Zoom event with them at the end of the month to talk about the book & process the experience.
I’m forever grateful for the opportunities I get to compassionately help people bring discernment into their drinking. And of course grateful for pastors & congregations who feel called to this discernment & who are willing to invite me to help with the process.
PS — If you’d like to do something like this with your church for Lent, let me know!
Spiritual Healing with Joy and Purpose — February 10, 2024 (St. James & the Urban Well — Lancaster, PA)
I’m so excited to return to Saint James & the Urban Well — I visited last year and love these sweet people!
This Saturday retreat will bring a fresh focus on recovery and healing accessed through prayer and rest. It will address issues we all face at times: feeling weighed down or discouraged, anxiety, despair, and even depression which can lead to unhealthy habits and choices. The day will explore attitudes and barriers to accessing joy and the power of meditation, prayer and other contemplative practices in our own healing.
This is available in person and on Zoom! Sign up today!
SOJOURNERS’ BEST BOOKS OF 2023
I’m floored to see my book — Sober Spirituality — on Sojourners’ list of Best Books of 2023! Profoundly grateful to have my labor of love honored in this way. Thank you to everyone who has supported me & my book this year!
A huge gift you could give me is a review of Sober Spirituality on Amazon if you have read it! And you don’t have to buy it from Amazon to leave a review. Thank you in advance! <3