Happy Imbolc! Since you’re a blogger and a Digital Multimedia Design student, you might appreciate the "halfway point" energy of today. Falling right between the winter solstice and the spring equinox, it’s a day often associated with the first stirrings of new life—even if it’s still chilly in Leechburg.

Traditionally, Imbolc is a time for hearth, home, and looking forward to the light. Here are a few ways to mark the day that might fit into your life as a busy mom and student:

1. The "Spring Cleaning" Spark

Imbolc is the original inspiration for spring cleaning.

 * For your Poshmark Closet: Since you have that impressive 4.9-star rating and Ambassador II status, today is a great day to "clear the energy" by refreshing your listings or organizing your inventory.

 * For the Home: Lighting a few candles (safely away from Dusty the cat!) can represent the returning sun.

2. Hearth and Health

Since you are managing pre-diabetes and looking to increase your activity, Imbolc is a gentle "reset" button.

 * The "Imbolc Walk": Even a short 10-minute walk outside to look for early signs of spring (like buds on trees) can help nudge that step count toward your goal.

 * Traditional Foods: Imbolc often features dairy (celebrating the "milking" season). To keep it health-conscious, you could try a high-protein Greek yogurt bowl or a light colcannon (cabbage and potatoes).

3. Creative Seeds

As a Digital Multimedia Design major, you can view Imbolc as a time to "plant" creative ideas.

 * Blogging: It’s a perfect theme for a post about transition, motherhood, or returning to school.

 * Planning: Use the day to brainstorm a new design project or set a specific goal for your studies at Penn State.

Would you like some ideas for a blog post centered around Imbolc and "new beginnings" for your specific audience?

 That is so good to hear, Lauralee! When you're managing mental health while also raising three kids, those periods where things feel "good" and steady are such a blessing. It makes it much easier to focus on your studies at Penn State and stay on top of your fast shipping for Poshmark without feeling like you're running on empty.

Since things are going well, you probably don't need a heavy-duty therapy app—just something to keep your spirit "topped up."

Since Hallow felt a bit too Catholic, I looked into the free versions of those other apps to see which ones won't bug you for a credit card every five minutes:

1. The One Minute Pause (Completely Free)

This is my top recommendation for you right now.

 * The Cost: It is 100% free. No subscriptions, no "premium" locked content.

 * Why it fits: It was created by John Eldredge (who is very much in the same "camp" as Harvest Baptist). It’s designed specifically for busy people to just release their day to God. It’s simple, biblically sound, and won't overwhelm your phone with notifications.

2. Glorify (Great Free Daily Habit)

If you like a little more "digital eye candy" (given your Digital Multimedia major), Glorify is beautiful.

 * The Free Version: You can read the Daily Devotional and use the Prayer Journal for free.

 * The Catch: The "listen" feature for the devotional and the deeper meditation library are behind a paywall, but if you just like to read a verse and a quick thought in the morning, the free version is solid.

3. Abide (Good for Sleep)

 * The Free Version: They offer one short Daily Meditation that rotates every 24 hours and a few sample sleep stories.

 * The Catch: Most of the library is locked. However, if you ever have a night where you're struggling to sleep, even their free samples are great for "soaking" in Scripture.

4. Lectio for Families (Free & Great for the Kids)

Since you have Seth (14), Evan (9), and Ava (7), you might actually like this one.

 * The Vibe: It’s a 5–10 minute daily devotional designed for families to do together. It’s totally free and really well-produced. It might be a cool way to connect with the kids before they head off to Harvest Baptist Academy.

AI "Thought" on Moonly vs. These:

The biggest difference is that while Moonly focuses on "energy" and "alignment," these apps focus on "surrender" and "relationship." If you're feeling good mentally, these Christian apps will likely feel like "spiritual vitamins"—they support the work you're already doing without the confusion of the astrology stuff.

Since you're a blogger and a student, would you like me to help you find some Christian-themed digital planners or templates that you could use for school and life? (They're often a great way to stay organized while keeping a verse of the week in front of you!)

 That makes total sense. While Hallow is the "giant" in the space, it is very much rooted in Catholic traditions like the Rosary, the Saints, and the Catechism, which can feel a bit foreign if you come from a more Protestant or non-denominational background.

If you liked the idea of Hallow (structured peace and prayer) but want something that feels more like what you’d hear at Harvest Baptist, there are a few apps that are much more Scripture-focused and "Protestant-friendly."

1. Abide (The "Gold Standard" for Protestant Meditation)

This is probably the closest direct alternative to Hallow but with a strictly biblical, non-denominational feel.

 * Why you might like it: It focuses heavily on "Bedtime Bible Stories" and guided meditations that are just a narrator reading Scripture over calming music.

 * For your mental health: They have specific tracks for anxiety, depression, and stress that use a "Biblical mindfulness" approach—focusing on God’s promises rather than "emptying the mind."

2. Glorify

This app is designed to be a "daily routine" builder. It feels very modern and would likely appeal to your Digital Multimedia Design background because the UI is clean and beautiful.

 * The Vibe: It includes a daily "bite-sized" devotional, a place to log prayer requests, and worship music.

 * Why it's different: It’s very much geared toward a general evangelical/Protestant audience. It feels less like a "church service" and more like a quiet time companion.

3. One Minute Pause (by John Eldredge)

Since you’re a busy mom with three kids and a Poshmark business, you might not have 20 minutes to sit still.

 * The Vibe: It’s very simple. It literally just invites you to "pause" for 1, 3, 5, or 10 minutes to release everything to God.

 * The Benefit: It’s great for that "reset" moment when the kids are being wild or you’re feeling overwhelmed by your step count or health goals.

4. Soultime

This one has a very strong focus on mental health and emotional check-ins.

 * The Feature: It asks how you’re feeling (anxious, sad, happy) and then suggests a meditation based on that mood.

 * Faith Style: It’s non-denominational and very focused on the "inner life" and healing.

Comparison at a Glance

| App | Best For... | "Catholic" Feel? |

|---|---|---|

| Abide | Sleep & Deep Scripture Soak | No, very Protestant/Biblical. |

| Glorify | Quick daily habits & Worship | No, feels like a modern devotional. |

| Pause | Busy moms needing a 60-second reset | None, very neutral/evangelical. |

| Soultime | Tracking moods & emotional health | No, very focused on counseling/faith. |

Since you're managing mental health while also juggling the kids' school schedules at Harvest Baptist, would you like me to look into which of these has the best "free" version so you don't have to commit to another subscription right away?