Summer Time Grind

checking in, enjoying the summer, current reads

Hello to you all and, happy summer! I have been on a brief hiatus that will continue until mid-September. I am getting married in 19 days, finalizing some last bits for the wedding, reading, and trying my best not to be in a state of panic. My brain is reminding me that it does have a limit, needs rest, and wants not to be working 24/7. I will see you towards the end of the month with a new What I Consumed #5 for the July and August wrap-up, but enjoy this for now!

What I’ve Been Up to?

For the past few weeks, I have been making myself a priority. Whether it’s my mindfulness summer class or just the many self-awarenesses of the late 20’s I think I have come to realize that myself is on the back burner. This realization still feels daunting, I think my personality is rooted in people-pleasing, working, and productivity. So it is taking me a while not to view this within my usual lens of deep diving into my calendar and scheduling a list of things for potential alleviation. Instead, I have been doing something out of my comfort zone. Waking up and let the day guide me, simplifying my overcomplicated at times brain. I realize I like to wake up and read. So I started doing this. After a few days, I wanted to read outside at my local coffee shop. So I’ve been doing that consistently for the past few weeks. It has felt pretty amazing. I get my cup of decaf or Matcha cause coffee first thing in the morning gives me anxiety. I sit and I read. I check in with myself, listen to the birds and the people around me, people watch. A simple but true pleasure.

me at my coffee spot, with my decaf and book, my phone is on DND, which makes a big difference.

This small but mighty step in my routine has been setting my mornings in a positive and controlled tone, which I have needed and am appreciating. Outside of this, I am taking a summer class about Mindfulness, Compassion, and the Self. At first, I expected it to be Kitch, overall calm, and I have been proven wrong. Although it is laid back, I have found this class to have found me at just the right time. We go through practices based on our day-to-day needs and learn about how we can better be compassionate for ourselves to show up for others. LIKE WHAT? I didn’t know classes could do this. I feel cared for and seen, and my classmates are sweet and kind. It’s been an overall tender experience, and so appreciated at a time when things have been actively hectic.

Summer Summer Summer Time!

This summer, I am learning a lot about myself. Unbeknownst to me I am having a case of the summer blues. OR it stems from being in grad school, planning a wedding, and trying to maintain my sanity. Regardless, the need to chill is prevalent, when I can and as much as possible. To find this chill I can proudly say I have been OUTSIDEEEEEE! Which has been helping a lot. Something about that Texas sun is treating me right.

some evidence of outside activities

I can’t remember the last time I spent so much time with friends and being outside. I don’t realize how much I need it. For a while, it felt like an itch in my brain had to be scratched, similar to growing up on the lake getting to lounge, read, and swim as my main activity. Whether it’s raining or over 100 degrees you can find me trying to stay active and outdoors.

I have been racking my brain this summer constantly back and forth between wanting to do more and not doing enough. It has been an interesting and exhausting feeling. I think the biggest thing I am trying to clock into this summer emotionally is love and compassion. For myself first and then others. It might sound far-fetched but it has been serving me very deeply. Maybe, it’s the marriage that is coming here soon? Or just the love that I think is thick in the air this time of year. I want to write a whole piece about it.

Currently Reading

current read, sweater, and hat in my local bookstore

I want to talk about books more in this newsletter. I have such a complex about it but I am trying to get over it and stop overthinking what it means. I have started several books I’m A Fan by Sheena Patel, and Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart I didn’t fully DNF but I could tell I needed to return to them at a different time. This led me to another new book I picked up, The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor. I am working on a book review. But for now know that it is poetic, thoughtful, and a visceral electric read. If you’re interested in some book-specific content I would love to know.

See you towards the end of the month :)

XOXO

Lots of Love,

Your Little Mama <3