Our Little Friday Letter: Intentional Living, Balance & Slow Rhythms

What I’m Learning About the Life I Actually Want (Now That I’ve Been Living It a Little More)

Hi there,

I hope this letter finds you well.

I’ve been really looking forward to sitting down to write this one.

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve had some lovely messages, emails, and voice notes from so many of you in response to the last letter — and I just want to say thank you.

Truly.

There’s something very special about knowing that what you write is being read… not just skimmed, not just clicked… but actually felt.

And I feel that too when I hear back from you.

So thank you for that 🤍

The past couple of weeks

When I wrote my last letter, I was just beginning to find my way back into a rhythm again.

Things felt a little unsettled… a little off… and I was gently trying to bring things back into alignment.

And since then, something has shifted.

Not in a big, dramatic way.

But in small, very real, lived-in ways.

I’ve started to feel like myself again.

Stepping back in (gently)

Over the past two weeks, I stepped back into the classroom for the first time in three years.

Just a few days each week.

Nothing major. No big return. No long-term plan.

Just… easing myself back in.

And I have to say, I really enjoyed it.

I wasn’t nervous the way I thought I might be.
I wasn’t overwhelmed.

I went in, taught the class, had the chats… and came home again.

It felt familiar. Comfortable.

Good, even.

The part I didn’t expect

But what I didn’t fully expect — even though I probably should have — was the tiredness.

Not just a little dip in energy…

But that full-body, end-of-term teacher tiredness.

The kind where your whole system catches up with you the minute you stop.

Across those few days, I felt it properly.

That deep, physical tiredness that comes from being “on” all day.

And it brought me right back to those early September weeks — when everything is adjusting again.

It was a really clear reminder:

This kind of work takes a lot out of you.

But also… something else

At the very same time, I felt something else too.

I felt energised.

I enjoyed getting dressed, putting on makeup, stepping out into something that felt like mine.

I enjoyed the routine, the structure, the sense of purpose.

And maybe most importantly…

I enjoyed knowing that I could still do it.

That I hadn’t lost that part of myself.

And that felt really good.

What it showed me

Spreading those days across the two weeks gave me a much clearer picture.

Not just how I’d feel after one day…

But how it fits into my life as a whole.

Because it did take a little more planning. A little more intention.

Making sure things stayed calm at home.
Making sure I didn’t overload the days around it.
Making space to recover, to reset, to stay grounded.

And I found myself leaning very gently on the rhythms I’ve been creating.

The early mornings.
The walks.
The light structure.
The space to pause and reconnect.

And honestly… that’s what carried me through.

Finding the balance

So now I find myself in this really interesting in-between space.

Part of me enjoys working outside the home.

Part of me deeply values the life I’ve created here.

The slower mornings.
The space in my days.
The ability to be present for my family.

And if I’m being really honest…

I don’t want to lose that.

What I do want, I think, is balance.

A few days here and there.

Something that brings in a bit of income, a bit of independence…

Without taking over everything else.

What I’m learning (in real time)

Over these past couple of weeks, I’ve been writing a lot about creating a life that feels calmer, more intentional, more aligned.

And now I feel like I’m actually living that out… properly testing it.

Not in theory.

But in real life.

And what I’m learning is this:

I need structure… but not too much.
I need purpose… but not pressure.
I need space… but not emptiness.

And maybe most importantly…

I need to be able to adjust as I go.

The little things that are helping

Some of the things that have been grounding me lately are surprisingly simple:

– Getting up early and taking that quiet hour before the house wakes
– Going for my walks, even when I don’t feel like it
– Keeping things lightly planned, rather than rigidly scheduled
– Making space for connection — with my kids, my husband, even just sitting and chatting

Nothing revolutionary.

But together, they’ve made these past couple of weeks feel steadier… calmer… more manageable.

And the honest part

Because of course, it hasn’t all been perfect.

There have been tired days.
Overwhelming days.
Days where I didn’t feel like doing anything at all.

Moments where I questioned everything.
Moments where I felt a bit stuck.

But I’m learning not to panic in those moments.

Not to assume I’ve “lost it” again.

Just to pause… and begin again the next day.

Where I am now

Right now, after these past couple of weeks, I feel…

Good.

A little tired, yes.
A little sore from Pilates.
A little slower than I was at the start.

But grounded.

Clear.

And quietly confident that I’m moving in the right direction.

If you’re in a similar place

If you’ve been feeling a bit out of sync lately…

If you’re trying to find your way back into a rhythm…

If you’re figuring out what you actually want your days to look like…

Please know you’re not alone.

And also…

It doesn’t have to be all figured out at once.

Sometimes it’s just one small step.
One small adjustment.
One day at a time.

Until next time

As always, I’d love to hear from you.

You can reply to this email any time — I read every message, and they mean more than you probably realise.

And thank you again for being here.

Ciara 🤍

🌿 P.S.

If you feel like a little browse this weekend, here are a few gentle reads and resources you might enjoy:

🌿 Mindful May: 30 Gentle Prompts for the Month Ahead
(A lovely one to dip into each day if you’re craving a slower rhythm)

🌿 10 Gentle Ways to Return to Routine After a Break
(This one ties in beautifully with everything I’ve been navigating lately)

🌿 20 Simple Spring Pleasure to Enjoy in the Everyday

(This one feels especially fitting right now — a gentle invitation to slow down and savour the simple things.)

All slow, cosy reads — perfect with a quiet cup of tea or coffee.

Stay in Touch

If you ever feel like reaching out, please do.

I’d genuinely love to hear from you — This little letter is very much a two-way conversation. If something here resonates, if you have a thought to share, or if there’s something you’d love to see in a future newsletter, blog post, or printable, I’d really love to hear from you.

You can simply reply directly to this email, send a message via the contact form on the blog, email me at hello@ourlittlehouseinthecountry.com, or say hello over on Instagram — whatever feels easiest.

You can reach me any time by:

📩 Filling out the contact form
✉️ Emailing me at hello@ourlittlehouseinthecountry.com
💬 Sending a DM over on Instagram

Comments on the blog or Instagram are always welcome too. I read every single one.

Thank you, as always, for being here and for taking the time to read along.

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