I spent the day Sunday mostly doing nothing. Seriously nothing. Teddy miraculously sort of slept in. I made coffee at home and went to Starbucks. I watched a couple episodes of Keeping Up With the Kardashians, read a couple of chapters, and even took a nap. Teddy and I roamed Third Ave for a little bit because a street fair was going on and I can’t resist the smells of fried Oreos, kettle corn, or sausage. I forced myself to take a shower, to tame my hair, to put on makeup. Cabbed down to Lincoln Center for the Nanette Lepore show, which was amazing and I saw my favorite Bill Cunningham and, of course, it was definitely worth it. It was the laziest of days. My apartment went unorganized for another day and I completely forgot about writing Prep Talk altogether.
I rarely have days like that and it felt pretty nice.
Until Monday morning when there were about fourteen different straws that broke my back. I really love Mondays normally but I typically work for at least four or five hours on Sunday. Not doing anything on Sunday put me in a really terrible position for Monday. By 9 am, I was completely out of sorts. Overwhelmed. Frustrated. Upset. I just wanted to crawl into bed and pretend like it was the weekend again.
The day had to continue on… I was fortunate (isn’t it funny how things work out even when they don’t feel like they are?) to be working that morning with someone who got it and could provide advice, wisdom, plus a good listening ear.
I’m in this super weird transitional point that can really be summed up nicely as growing pains. I’m all for the growing, but gosh the pain part of that is not fun!!! While I’m really looking forward to some of the things down the road for me, I found myself at a breaking point Monday morning as I put together a team. This type a girl has finally reached a point where it’s impossible to do everything that I want and need to do on my own. A good problem, but it’s definitely hard to relinquish elements of my life to other people.
So what did I do Monday? I essentially took a personal day. (Sounds ridiculous after doing nothing on Sunday, but I needed to do purposefully do some soul searching!) I cried a bit, talked to my mom a lot, put a lot of things out into the Universe (have you read Zen and the Art of Happinessyet?!), went for an hour-long massage, and then binge-watched Oprah videos on Youtube! Duh.
Isn’t it amazing that we can pull up videos, Ted Talks and Youtube videos and whatnot, of incredible people with the most perfect advice whenever we need it?!
I felt a lot better going to bed last night and was looking forward to clicking reset on Tuesday morning. And in case your wondering, it was a killer day. I woke up feeling totally renewed and a lot of thinks worked themselves out. Add in a couple of meetings with great people to get realigned on my path. (Even though I wish it weren’t the case, sometimes it’s just nice getting validation from someone else that you’re on the right path and going in the right direction… you know what I mean?)
Oprah is definitely someone I turn to, you know because I imagine her being my BFF, when I need inspiration! I love pulling up interviews she’s done, speeches she’s given, and I really love her commencement speeches (clearly). But there are plenty of men and women out there that you might find speaks directly to you. Find time looking through quotations, watching videos online, and if you’re lucky speaking to someone in person!
A long-winded post… all just to say, sometimes the answers you need are right under your nose. It might take a day or two, but it’s worth immersing yourself in inspiration, surrounding yourself with the most supportive people you can find, and taking time for you.
Great post – I am glad you feeling better! Those videos are really inspiring, didn't think I needed her wisdom this morning, but boy was I wrong, they made me feel super fueled!
I understand 100%! I'm going through this time of life where I'm trying to figure out what it is I'm going to do with my future, since I had to quit my job due to my health over the summer. I know some of what's coming up for me – a master's in English literature & writing and publishing my next 2 books – but getting there is really really difficult!
Oprah is amazing! I'm glad your feeling better & I totally understand growing pains. I'm at a stage in my life where a lot is changing. All good changes but still stressful at times. Sometimes I think about what my life is going to be like in 5 years and I freak out.
girlhood 🫶🏻 find friends who want to do the same little hobbies as you! Went over to @shihstitches’ house yesterday to give her some sourdough starter and go through the basics (I’m *very much* a beginner so I told her to take my lesson with a grain of salt)
PS convinced her to make an IG account! @blueskyehouse
PPS she’s convincing me I really do need a fancy range like her ✨ stunning ✨ @lacanche_us!
Just a girl searching for the perfect digital planner solution. What I have right now is working, technically speaking, but I’m working across platforms and ideally I’d love everything to be in one place. I also have calendar synesthesia (IYKYK) and I physically feel myself in space moving through my calendar, which makes finding a planner difficult because I want/need it to match up with what I see in my head I know this sounds insane but if you also “see” time, you know what I mean!
Right now I’m using: – Google Sheets to track campaigns/business line items – Google docs for writing/brainstorming – Google/Apple Calendars (somehow they’re integrated and I don’t ask questions because it just works...) – Apple Notes for daily to-dos, random note keeping, and quick jot downs – Apple Reminders for “must dos” esp w/ deadlines – Dropbox for photo/file storage
I’m craving a good ole fashioned paper planner but the reality is that I need it to be digital. I need it to integrate with my calendar and remind me of tasks. I need to be able to access it on my computer when I’m working at my desk and on my phone when I’m on the go. I need structure and flexibility?
Does the perfect digital planner exist?! Do I need to overcome my overwhelm and tackle @notionhq? Is an @apple iPad the solution? Do I just keep doing what I’m doing because it’s technically working?
If you’ve stuck around to the end, I appreciate you 🫡
I created a beautiful, custom silk photo album from @printique_by_adorama to remember my sweet dog Hamilton, who passed away earlier this year. Their layflat album captured the colors and details perfectly, making each photo feel so special. It’s a keepsake I’ll cherish forever, and I’m so grateful for the quality and love they put into every page. #printiquepartner
… and yet you must. This week has been the hardest yet. Pressure from work, pressure from myself, pressure from the world. The magnitude of reality feels too much and too heavy. Showing up for my children though when I can barely show up for myself.
We’ve noticed an improvement in Teddy’s vitality and digestion since switching to @primalpetfoods Kibble in the Raw! It’s the easiest way to give him the benefits of raw nutrition without losing the convenience of dry kibble since it’s freeze dried into bites and completely scoopable. You would never guess he’s 11 years old with these moves at the park! #primalpetfoodspartner #ad
In that final home stretch of 2024 and waffling between wanting to plan out every second of my day/week/month and needing to also just fly by the seat of my pants. Holding on for dear life and telling myself to just enjoy the ride 🤪
When the boys go down for bed, sometimes it feels akin to crossing the finish line of a marathon! With my @therabody Theragun Sense, now I’m able to unwind and relax from the #WorkoutCalledLife. With step-by-step prompts on an LCD screen (and accompanying app), the Theragun Sense guides you through different recoveries depending on what your goals are. Tonight, I’m prepping for restful sleep with a six-minute guided massage! #TherabodyPartner
Fried Oreos! I have yet to encounter a fried Oreo, but I'm looking forward to the day I do :p
— Alex at Cashmere Kangaroo
I love Oprah too – she's amazing!
laurenroseprep.blogspot.com
Great post – I am glad you feeling better! Those videos are really inspiring, didn't think I needed her wisdom this morning, but boy was I wrong, they made me feel super fueled!
I understand 100%! I'm going through this time of life where I'm trying to figure out what it is I'm going to do with my future, since I had to quit my job due to my health over the summer. I know some of what's coming up for me – a master's in English literature & writing and publishing my next 2 books – but getting there is really really difficult!
So glad you watched those videos!! xoxo m
Oprah is amazing! I'm glad your feeling better & I totally understand growing pains. I'm at a stage in my life where a lot is changing. All good changes but still stressful at times. Sometimes I think about what my life is going to be like in 5 years and I freak out.
Sounds like the PERFECT day! You are allowed to take those days every so often.. don't feel bad about it!!
xo ClassToCloset
Oprah has great advice!
Sometimes we just need to slow down and take a break from everything.
xo,
Amanda | affordablebyamanda.blogspot.com
Oprah is great! Just picked up her book "What I Know For Sure." You should check it out!
Great post! We all need some soul searching…I feel like I have needed a personal day lately as well. Good for you for taking some time for yourself!
xo, Taylor