I’ve been dreaming up something new for 12th and Blossom...something that feels like a conversation with a dear friend over coffee. I’m calling it Kindred. These posts are where I’ll share reflections, stories, and encouragement for living a beautiful Catholic life in the everyday.
When It’s Time to Begin Again
I taught 6th grade for three years, and it’s still one of the highlights of my life. Those middle school years can be rough, but honestly, they were my favorite to work with. Every January or February, the other teachers and I would notice something - we all needed a fresh start. A time to go back to the basics, review the class rules, and gently rebalance the group. I loved that rhythm. I loved the chance for everyone to begin again.
Somewhere along the way, I realized I need that, too. Every so often, I have to set aside time to pause, look around, and make sure I’m still walking in God’s plan and not my own.
We tend to wait for “official” times to do this—the first day of the year, the start of a new month—but the truth is, a fresh start can happen any time you need it.
Now that my family has moved into a new home in a new city, it’s the perfect moment for me. So here’s how I approach my own fresh start—but we’re going to call it a Renewal. Maybe these ideas will inspire you, too.
Journaling
I’m not what you’d call a “dear diary” kind of person. I don’t sit down every night to write pages of thoughts and reflections. But when I’m heading into a season like this—one that calls for a fresh start—I have to put pen to paper. There’s something about seeing my thoughts in writing that makes them feel more real, more intentional.
For this season, I even bought a brand-new notebook just for the occasion. Because I’m a notebook hoarder. There, I said it. I have an office supplies problem.
On the first page, I wrote down a simple prayer asking God to guide this process, to keep my eyes fixed on Him. Then I started answering a few questions that helped me see where I was, what needed to shift, and where I wanted to go.
Reflect on Where You Are
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Where have I found peace so far this year?
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Where have I felt resistance in my spirit?
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Where do I feel the most excitement? Where do I feel the most resentment?
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Which areas of my life feel the most life-giving right now?
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What does my prayer life look like? How would I like it to look?
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Which habits or routines are drawing me closer to God—and which are pulling me away?
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Which voices or influences in my life encourage my faith—and which ones distract me from it?
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How am I showing love to the people God has placed in my life?
Consider What Needs to Shift
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Who can I invite into my spiritual life for encouragement and accountability?
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Where in my day can I make space for stillness and prayer?
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Where am I over-giving my time in ways that leave me drained?
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What commitments or habits can I gently set aside to make space for what I love?
Look Ahead with Intention
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At the end of this season, what do I want my days to look and feel like?
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What does my perfect day or week look like?
Pay Attention
Once I had those thoughts on paper, I started paying attention to the world around me—because sometimes God answers before we even ask.
It might sound a little silly, but I make a conscious choice to notice what’s happening in my life. Instead of drifting through my days, I start looking at things a bit like Sherlock Holmes—searching for clues and connecting the dots.
Where is God clearing pathways? What new obstacles are showing up? What conversations keep coming up again and again? Who is entering my life right now? Are there themes, patterns, or nudges that I’ve been too distracted to see?
The truth is, God is often speaking loud and clear—it’s just that I’ve been walking around with my proverbial headphones on. When I take them off, the patterns start to emerge, and I realize He’s been guiding me all along.
Prayer, Scripture, and a Saintly Inner Circle
You may be wondering why this wasn’t the first big thing on the list. After all, prayer is where everything begins. And it does—remember, we opened our journal with a prayer, and every step so far has been done with a prayerful heart. But I like to reserve the deeper, more focused conversation with God for after I’ve gathered all the clues and reflections above. That way, when I sit with Him, I’m bringing the whole picture—my peace and resistance, my patterns and priorities—so we can talk about where to go from here.
I think a fantastic way to step into renewal is with a daily Mass. Treat your renewal with the gravitas it deserves. This is a time of commitment between you and the Lord. You’re not fixing yourself as much as you are returning to Him.
You’ve probably heard the saying, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” If that’s true, then I want at least a few of mine to be saints.
If I want my heart to look more like Christ’s, I need to spend time with Him in prayer and in His Word. I need to surround myself with people who draw me closer to Him—and some of the best friends for that job are the saints.
Choosing a patron saint (or two) for a season of renewal is like inviting a holy mentor into your daily life. Read their story. Keep their words nearby. Ask for their intercession like you would text a friend for advice. If I’m aiming for deeper trust, I might choose Saint Thérèse of Lisieux. If I need courage, maybe Saint Joan of Arc. If I want to weave more joy into my life, Saint Philip Neri might be just the companion.
Prayer and scripture anchor this whole process. The saints’ lives were rooted in both. When I pray, I’m listening and speaking to the One who knows me best. When I open scripture, I’m letting His truth shape my mind and heart. And when I invite a saint to walk alongside me, I’m reminded that renewal isn’t a solo mission. This is a journey with holy friends, earthly and heavenly, cheering me on.
Physical Reset
If you’re like me, you need to see your renewal in order to really feel it. There’s something powerful about giving your surroundings a fresh start. It becomes a visual reminder of the work God is doing in your heart.
This doesn’t have to mean a full-home overhaul (unless that’s what you’re craving). It can be as simple as giving one space a deep clean and a little love. Choose an area that you want to enjoy more: a prayer corner, your home office, the kitchen table, the living room where your family gathers.
Clear out what doesn’t belong. Rearrange the furniture. Add a candle, fresh flowers, or a favorite piece of art that lifts your spirit. Make the space an environment that invites you to slow down, pray, create, or rest.
When your physical space feels lighter and more intentional, it has a way of spilling into the rest of your life—another reminder that renewal can be seen, felt, and lived out in even the simplest places.
