Weekend Reading #52
Mental health shifts, my new show, recent purchases, gardening, and finding the joy in the little things.
I’ve been feeling scattered, anxious, and overwhelmed. Being a mom of three, someone always needs something, and it’s another level over summer with the kids home and a toddler who wants mom all the time. The world feels so, so heavy right now. It’s not my life that’s breaking my heart over and over again.
You know that feeling when you look at your calendar and are completely overwhelmed by the week ahead? Even just by social plans? I was feeling it, but know it was about so much more than a calendar. I’ve been too connected. Too plugged in.
So I made some big and small shifts this week, and have a lot more work to do.
I pushed a big shoot back because I was so tired from barely sleeping, and moved plans with a friend and her three kids so I could have a quiet day to work, relax, and catch up on life at home. I hosted game night which was really fun, went for a walk with a friend and got in some really great solo time with each of the kids. Kate and I worked on one of these (highly, highly recommend them!) and Margot and I worked on this Lego set. I forgot how much I love Legos! I was obsessed with them as a kid. Did anyone else have these? She paused and gave me the biggest hug, and thanked her for making her bday so special. It was the sweetest moment.
I disconnected enough that my friends invited me to dinner and I didn’t see the text for 3 hours which for me is big since I’ll usually check my phone at some point.
Blurry patio snuggles with Buddy during game night. And my denim shorts.
The news has been getting to me because how could it not? I tried to shift the way I consume the news and political content a while ago, but it didn’t seem to stick. Staying informed is a must, but I am far too anxious to have the news and political opinions (even when we align) fed to me all day. And part of that just means staying offline, which I was doing, but that’s hard to do with my job.
I went so far as to mute most of those accounts for now, am drastically limiting my scroll-time, but it’s still not where I want it to be. I am back to taking in my news once a week via Emily and Jessica and think it’s helping.
And then another big change. I turned off story replies on Instagram. I enjoy that connection but when dozens of messages come pouring in and I feel the need to reply, it can feel like too much. I may turn them on again at some point if I feel like I have better IG boundaries in place and can commit to only checking messages once a day on my computer. For now, I just need less.
Since the girls are home right now, we’re going from one thing to the next, and our au pair isn’t driving the kids since we’re easing her in. So that means we’re driving the kids to swim and tennis, and realistically, one of us has to be at the pool since I’m not sending one adult alone with 3 kids. 🙃 I also wanted to enjoy the summer with them, but the late nights are getting to me. I feel like I’m just rambling, but my point is, it’s hard, and we’re in it together.
I also channeled some anxiety into organizing my closet, but now there’s a big pile of clothes I never wear outside my closet door that I don’t want to deal with. I clean our shower grout with this gel, too. It was time consuming since I basically had to trace over all the grout, but there’s zero scrubbing. And it really worked!
My New Show
I finally started The Bear and breezed through season 1 in 2 days! It’s so good. A nice distraction from life and so much better than scrolling my phone at night. I didn’t know Jamie Lee Curtis was so talented. Just wow.
Recent Purchases
First up, you can see 10 things I’m loving this week right here.
I bought something I’ve always wanted and I think it’s going to add a lot of joy to my life.
Three more of these because my kids use them whenever we’re home and it will be nice to have extras for them, and for when friends come over.
I restocked my favorite $40 tee in a few colors
Gel refills for this device. Use DANIELLE15 for 15% off.
This dental pod for Kate’s aligners (she’s doing palate expansion right now)
My baby sister bought a house!!! My (middle) sister and I placed a big order of organization essentials (like this lazy susan for her fridge and these stackable drawers), and two sets of these towels for her.
This swimsuit was gifted from the brand but I love it so much and if you use the code DANIELLE20 you’ll get 20% off
Gardening
I ordered my spring bulbs to plant this fall. I am in no way ready to think about fall or winter, but am excited for a garden full of tulips, ranunculus, and a few anemone (no idea how they’ll do here so only bought a few) and peonies, too.
I might take the girls to see Lilo and Stitch, and we’re planning to get together with one of my best friends and her kids before they leave town for a month. She’s the friend I see most and our kids play so well, so I’m assuming my house will be really organized by the time she gets back? Ha. And we’re having my friend and his kids over Sunday night. I hope everyone has a nice weekend! Stop scrolling. Take care of yourselves.