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Alison McLennan

Emotional Rest
Spiritual Rest
Lifestyle Rest
Relational Rest

Contact

I would love to hear from you!

Email: alison@alisonmclennan.com

Instagram: @alisonjmclennan

Facebook: Alison McLennan, Writer

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Welcome

I'm Alison: writer, introspector, chronic over-thinker. If you long to learn the art of stillness and live an authentic, rested life...well, so do I! Maybe we can figure it out together. Welcome to my grace-laden mess. I'm glad you're here.

Let’s Be Friends

Let’s do this.

On this journey toward a rested life, we'll go farther together than we can alone. Walk with me?

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On the Gram

#challengeaccepted 🌿 Thanks to @kallisonbrannon

#challengeaccepted 🌿 Thanks to @kallisonbrannon for tagging me. To be honest, I was tempted to skip this little exercise. I haven’t been big on showing my face around here these last couple of years, what with the rosacea and orthodontics and stress pounds. As much as I wish I could rise above the vanity of it all, I’m in a season of cringing at my own reflection, of pining for young years of smooth skin and leaner limbs.⁣
⁣
Body image is a tricky game, made trickier by the voices in our feeds. We’re caught between culture’s beauty “ideals” and the equally intense counter-revolution of self-acceptance. ⁣
⁣
Sometimes I feel like the rope in an epic round of tug-of-war, fraying in the center. I’m caught between how I feel and what I know. And in that muddled middle, shame makes its home.⁣
⁣
Shame is a poor counselor and a perpetual liar. It drives us into actions that hurt our bodies and our hearts. But we need not let it.⁣
⁣
It’s okay to be fearfully and wonderfully made AND a work-in-progress. Pursuing physical change is not the antithesis of self-acceptance or spirituality. We are creatures of flesh and spirit, and both require gentle tending.⁣
⁣
I’m giving myself this pep talk today, knowing that I’ll need it again tomorrow, and the day after that. I hope you’ll join me in kicking shame to the curb as many times as it takes, until we can look ourselves in the eye and see only grace looking back.⁣
⁣
#womensupportingwomen #mindset #mindsetmatters #selfcare #soulcare #cultivaterest #mindatrest #bodyatrest #bodypositivity #bodypositive #bodyimage #selfie #lifelivedbeautifully ⁣#mentalhealth #grace

Those numbers keep getting bigger! How are they so

Those numbers keep getting bigger! How are they so grown up?🤯Traditional first-day-of-school pancakes (1 day late, since we officially started yesterday).🥞 Photobomb courtesy of @jetlagthespringer 🐶
.
#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoollife #homeschoolmom #backtoschool #tradition #openingceremony #openingceremonies

So, I realize my feed has been nothing but books l

So, I realize my feed has been nothing but books lately, but OH MY GOODNESS!!! I just received a box of treasure from @shawnsmucker. 📚 Books and journals...is there a better combo than that? Started reading #thedaytheangelsfell with the kids today and they’re already hooked. “Do we have to stop there, Mom? I don’t want to wait until tomorrow to hear more.” Thanks for the imagination fodder, Shawn! These will go on my shelf alongside my prized copy of #thesenamelessthings.😊
.
#amreading #booklover #booknerd #bookstagram #book #bookaddict #books #reading #readingtime #summerreading #summerreads @revellbooks

This year has been anything but boring, right? A y

This year has been anything but boring, right? A year ago I never thought I’d consider homeschooling all three kids, yet here we are. McLennan Academy 2020-2021 kicks off tomorrow!⁣
⁣
#homeschooling #backtoschool #homeschool #homeschoollife #homeschoolmom #prayforme #neversaynever #lifeisanadventure #homeschoolfamily

Poolside reading: #thesenamelessthings by @shawnsm

Poolside reading: #thesenamelessthings by @shawnsmucker. This one’s a mind bender! Better be careful or I’ll forget to keep an eye on the kids.😬 This beauty officially releases tomorrow!!!
.
#amreading #bookstagram #summerreading #summerreads #booklover #bookaddict #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #whatshouldireadnext

Instagram post 17891040769532434

Instagram post 17891040769532434

Family movie night! (Thanks, @penncinema for the p

Family movie night! (Thanks, @penncinema for the popcorn extravaganza!) Can you believe, when I took this picture, I didn’t have to say “Pretend you love each other” even once? I know quarantine life has its tough moments, but I’m so thankful for the way our family has grown closer through this concentrated time together. Definite sIlver lining.⁣
⁣
#yum #movienight #friyay #fridayvibes #weekendvibes #familytime #family #popcorn #familynight #thankful #silverlining #lookforthegood #simplepleasures

Fear used to be the defining emotion of my days, t

Mercy in a box, courtesy of @passengercoffee. Than

Mercy in a box, courtesy of @passengercoffee. Thankful for simple pleasures in the midst of a dumpster fire of a week.
.
#coronavirus #covid_19 #coffee #coffeelover #coffeetime #coffeeaddict #quarantine #quarantinelife #socialdistancing #flattenthecurve

Connect on Instagram

Ready to exhale?

My monthly email is quiet little space for rest-related stories and resources reserved just for my email friends. Join us?

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Be still. Be you. Be made new.

On the Gram

#challengeaccepted 🌿 Thanks to @kallisonbrannon

#challengeaccepted 🌿 Thanks to @kallisonbrannon for tagging me. To be honest, I was tempted to skip this little exercise. I haven’t been big on showing my face around here these last couple of years, what with the rosacea and orthodontics and stress pounds. As much as I wish I could rise above the vanity of it all, I’m in a season of cringing at my own reflection, of pining for young years of smooth skin and leaner limbs.⁣
⁣
Body image is a tricky game, made trickier by the voices in our feeds. We’re caught between culture’s beauty “ideals” and the equally intense counter-revolution of self-acceptance. ⁣
⁣
Sometimes I feel like the rope in an epic round of tug-of-war, fraying in the center. I’m caught between how I feel and what I know. And in that muddled middle, shame makes its home.⁣
⁣
Shame is a poor counselor and a perpetual liar. It drives us into actions that hurt our bodies and our hearts. But we need not let it.⁣
⁣
It’s okay to be fearfully and wonderfully made AND a work-in-progress. Pursuing physical change is not the antithesis of self-acceptance or spirituality. We are creatures of flesh and spirit, and both require gentle tending.⁣
⁣
I’m giving myself this pep talk today, knowing that I’ll need it again tomorrow, and the day after that. I hope you’ll join me in kicking shame to the curb as many times as it takes, until we can look ourselves in the eye and see only grace looking back.⁣
⁣
#womensupportingwomen #mindset #mindsetmatters #selfcare #soulcare #cultivaterest #mindatrest #bodyatrest #bodypositivity #bodypositive #bodyimage #selfie #lifelivedbeautifully ⁣#mentalhealth #grace

Those numbers keep getting bigger! How are they so

Those numbers keep getting bigger! How are they so grown up?🤯Traditional first-day-of-school pancakes (1 day late, since we officially started yesterday).🥞 Photobomb courtesy of @jetlagthespringer 🐶
.
#homeschool #homeschooling #homeschoollife #homeschoolmom #backtoschool #tradition #openingceremony #openingceremonies

So, I realize my feed has been nothing but books l

So, I realize my feed has been nothing but books lately, but OH MY GOODNESS!!! I just received a box of treasure from @shawnsmucker. 📚 Books and journals...is there a better combo than that? Started reading #thedaytheangelsfell with the kids today and they’re already hooked. “Do we have to stop there, Mom? I don’t want to wait until tomorrow to hear more.” Thanks for the imagination fodder, Shawn! These will go on my shelf alongside my prized copy of #thesenamelessthings.😊
.
#amreading #booklover #booknerd #bookstagram #book #bookaddict #books #reading #readingtime #summerreading #summerreads @revellbooks

This year has been anything but boring, right? A y

This year has been anything but boring, right? A year ago I never thought I’d consider homeschooling all three kids, yet here we are. McLennan Academy 2020-2021 kicks off tomorrow!⁣
⁣
#homeschooling #backtoschool #homeschool #homeschoollife #homeschoolmom #prayforme #neversaynever #lifeisanadventure #homeschoolfamily

Poolside reading: #thesenamelessthings by @shawnsm

Poolside reading: #thesenamelessthings by @shawnsmucker. This one’s a mind bender! Better be careful or I’ll forget to keep an eye on the kids.😬 This beauty officially releases tomorrow!!!
.
#amreading #bookstagram #summerreading #summerreads #booklover #bookaddict #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #whatshouldireadnext

Instagram post 17891040769532434

Instagram post 17891040769532434

Family movie night! (Thanks, @penncinema for the p

Family movie night! (Thanks, @penncinema for the popcorn extravaganza!) Can you believe, when I took this picture, I didn’t have to say “Pretend you love each other” even once? I know quarantine life has its tough moments, but I’m so thankful for the way our family has grown closer through this concentrated time together. Definite sIlver lining.⁣
⁣
#yum #movienight #friyay #fridayvibes #weekendvibes #familytime #family #popcorn #familynight #thankful #silverlining #lookforthegood #simplepleasures

Fear used to be the defining emotion of my days, t

Copyright © 2020 · Alison J. McLennan