Learning to Love Structure (Even When It’s Hard)
Note from Jamie
I like to share things that light me up, fill me with joy, and make my life easier. Nothing is sponsored. These are just things that are helping me along my journey.
Learning to Love Structure (Even When It’s Hard)
Lately, I’ve been trying to add more structure to my life.
Like anything new, it’s been… bumpy. Some days I’m on top of things. Other days? Not so much.
I’ve been especially focused on how structure helps kids thrive. I’m working to make sure Emma gets to bed on time, does a few chores, drinks enough water, and—my personal Everest—picks the towels up off the bathroom floor.
Some days I struggle because I feel like the “bad cop.”
I’ve been listening to Dr. Lisa Damour’s podcast, Ask Lisa, which offers such a calm, wise perspective on the messy parts of parenting. It’s helping me see that boundaries aren’t about control—they’re about care.
Scott and I are naturally “go-with-the-flow” people, so adding structure doesn’t come easily to us. But we’ve been practicing in other areas, too.
For the past year, we’ve committed to monthly budgeting using Dave Ramsey’s Every Dollar website. It’s been eye-opening. We’ve paid off one car loan and three credit cards—proof that consistency really does pay off (even when it feels painfully slow).
Here’s what I’m learning:
I’ve always been great at structure when it comes to my health, fitness, and wellness routines—those parts of my life feel sacred and second nature. But when it comes to housekeeping, yard work, finances, and “adulting” in general, I’ve got a ways to go.
I’m a visionary at heart. I live by intuition and big ideas. I love to say yes and take risks. I trust that everything always works out—and often, it does.
But lately I’ve realized: structure isn’t about saying no to what I want. It’s about making space for what I really want.
And it’s okay to be bad at something while you’re learning.
Structure and discipline take time, thought, and effort—and I’m learning to appreciate that.
After all, I already have proof that I can be structured: I floss four times a day. (Yes, four.) Now I just need to bring that same energy to the rest of my life.
Here’s to progress over perfection—and to finding the kind of structure that helps us thrive.
With love and learning,
Jamie
Inspiration
Nourish Pick of the Week
Something I’m really good at? Sleep. I protect it like the treasure it is. Every night, I make space for a calming wind-down routine—and my Sleep Roller Blend is always part of it.
I roll it onto the bottoms of my feet and over my chest before I pull up the covers.
Its soothing blend of essential oils signals to my body and mind that it’s time to rest, release, and drift off peacefully.
Consistency is my secret. I do this every single night—and it makes all the difference.
Workout of the Week
10-Min Back Strengthener Workout
I’m always working to improve my posture, so I’ve been focusing on strengthening both my upper and lower back.
This short, equipment-free workout was exactly what I needed. It’s just 10 minutes—no weights required—and it left me feeling strong, open, and energized.
Full honesty: I couldn’t even do the first two moves, so I swapped them for regular Locust Pose instead.
And that’s okay! I’m not awesome at this routine (yet), but it felt so good to challenge myself.
This is the kind of growth I love—the kind that reminds me progress is built one small rep at a time.
Recipe of the Week
Scott loves apple pie—and I love making it for him.
This Rustic Apple Pie feels cozy and special, yet simple enough for a Sunday afternoon.
The recipe calls for a homemade crust, but I’ll be honest: I usually skip that part and use a store-bought gluten-free crust instead. It saves time and still turns out so delicious.
Made in a springform pan, this double-crusted beauty bakes up tall, golden, and bubbling with cinnamon-kissed apples.
It’s the kind of pie that fills your home with warmth—and reminds you that love doesn’t have to be fancy to be wonderful.
Live well. Be kind.
Jamie
