Nat Maxey

28/05/2023

Looking back and feeling grateful:

⭐ Another school year just wrapped. We thrived and sometimes barely survived! 🙌🏽😭 (shout-out to teachers and education staff)

⭐ Ability to work from home and spend time with my kiddos this summer

⭐ Getting to work on design projects that fuel my soul (shout-out to my PR - God and 🤸🏽‍♀️)

Even here, through the endless ups and heartbreaking downs, God is faithful and good ❤️

12/04/2023

Donut Worry 🍩💙
.. it's ok to not be ok too though!

Anxiety and worrying runs deep for some of us due to genetics and/or traumatic life experiences, but Jesus promises His presence and comfort EVEN IF life gets you down.

So wherever you find yourself today, know that you're not alone!

07/04/2023

Friendly reminder: your life circumstances may fluctuate, but your worth never changes!

From a young age, we're told by the people in our life and by society/media that having a particular look or lifestyle is BEST. That's what gives you value and acceptance.

So to whomever needs to hear this today, your body (appearance and health conditions), your work/productivity, whether you're married or not, and any other external value DON'T determine your worth!

Your value and worth comes from being created by God. You are wanted and loved just by being you. Nothing or no one else can determine or change your worth!

❓ What is something else that people have weaponized against you to try to measure your worth?

✨ Post inspired by recent post about weight and worth 🤌🏽

31/12/2022

✌🏽 2022

Another year of God's faithfulness THROUGH life's ups and downs.

See you in 2023 ❤️

20/09/2022

do what you can with what you have ✨

10/09/2022

08/09/2022

The start of every school year may be different, but I find that I have to hold space for both pain AND joy.

PAIN because I'll miss them and our summer schedule, fear for their safety after so many school shootings and SA news, knowing that we'll most likely face social and/or academic challenges with our son, and nervous about their physical health with covid still lingering plus all the "usual" school germs.

JOY because I recognize how blessed and privileged we are to get the opportunity to send our kids to a great school that truly has championed and looked out for our kids, they get to learn and grow in ways that I am not equipped to teach them, they get to make friends and fill up their social tanks with kids that may or may not look like them (which is great!), and I do get more time to work during the day instead of staying up really late working!

I truly wish it could always be ALL joy, that I could only see the positive, but that's not life and specially not how I am wired. I am, however, learning to see both sides, and to acknowledge that just because something is hard doesn't always mean it's bad. We grow and learn the most through challenging life situations.

So here we go school year 2022-23, already with a few bumps these first few weeks, knowing that whatever happens and we have to overcome will not be in vain - God will use it for our good and His glory.

02/08/2022

GRATEFUL ✨

My husband and I were recently putting together a portfolio with some projects for the amazing clients I've had the past few years.

Even though it's only a small sample, and I didn't even include sermon series graphics and most of my social media catalog, it filled me with so much awe and gratefulness.

God has really opened doors that I never even imagined. From churches, non profits, small businesses, and magazines... He has shown me favor that I don't deserve!

For my fellow creatives, wherever you're starting out or have years in the business, know that there's no better PR than God. Yes to hard work, taking risks, putting yourself and your work out there, and making real connections... but also know that when God goes before you, the rest will work out even if you can't see it just yet!

PS - a huge shout out to my clients for trusting me, and last but certainly not least to my hubby who has always been my hype man and technical support! ❤️

Adobe Photoshop Adobe

09/05/2022

Ever wondered, "how much longer until I figure [insert area in life] out? 🤔😩

There are days where I feel like I should be "further ahead" at this whole motherhood thing, and feelings of defeat try to creep.

✖️ I *should* know better by now.

✖️ I *should* know how to regulate my emotions by this point!

✖️ I *should* know how to be more patient and kind.

The list goes on as my own inner critic tries to let shame in.

BUT then God reminds me that He's not done with me yet.

⭐ That progress and healing have been made.

⭐ That shame is not part of His plan, but grace and redemption are.

⭐ That He meets us in our brokenness yet doesn't leave us there.

⭐ That my kiddos are His and their lives are in His hands.

You see, healing and life in general are not a one-stop checklist item (even though sometimes I wish it was 😝). It's an ongoing journey where beauty and hardship collide.

A process where we acknowledge where we've been, take note of where we are, and move on with hope for where we're going.

If today you're feeling overwhelmed or discouraged, I hope you take heart knowing that you're not alone in this and God is not done with you yet! Plus, no one really has it all together! 😉

15/01/2022

I ran across a tiktok video yesterday about learning to enjoy your birthday after years of expecting disappointment or being forgotten. It reminded me of what I wrote back in 2019 about my own twisted relationship with my birthday! ❤️

I have had a love-hate relationship with my birthdays; mostly on the hate side actually. It took a simple writing exercise for all of that to change!

06/01/2022

Happy birthday to me - mid 30s edition 🎉💁🏽‍♀️🤣

13/12/2021

hello 👋🏽 and welcome to my home and my office!💃🏽✨😅👩🏽‍💻

Juggling mom life and work life at home feels like a circus sometimes... like today with school drop off/pickup, Dr. appointments, errands, no nap (did I mention no nap?! 😩😝), and still getting my design work done!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining! THIS is what I prayed for. This is what I wanted many years ago when I was working my full-time corporate job and I longed to be home with the kids!

Even though it feels like a lot some days, it's still an answered prayer. I GET TO DO what I love while being close to those I love the most!

So on days like today when I'm feeling physically tired (and the comparison trap tempted me while scrolling the socials), I have to remember to GIVE THANKS and tell my soul just how BLESSED (and privileged) I am.

Here's today's reminder - Let's center ourselves on truth and gratefulness. Let's welcome joy and peace into our souls EVEN IF life doesn't look like what others have or what we wished it did. Let's celebrate the little wins and remember that we've made it this far!

09/12/2021

Reminder: Healing is not always linear or visible to everyone around you ❤️

Keep growing at your own pace 💪🏽