Permission to pause
Everything I've been loving while I took a break from writing
She’s back.
It’s been three weeks since I hit pause on writing here, and I’m feeling ready to dip my toe back in. I’ve been moving slowly and resting as much as I can while attempting to sleep train my 11 month old who still wants to camp out on a boob at least once a night. I’ve been thinking about weaning, thinking about my PPA/PPD, thinking about how I want to work towards being my healthiest self in the next few years. I realized in the last few weeks that this might be the first year since I graduated college that I’m not moving towards the next thing — two rounds of grad school, moving for jobs, getting married, getting a promotion, changing careers, trying (and failing) to have babies, buying a house. I said to my husband this week, it might feel nice to just be still for a bit.
I’m coming up on a year of writing Immensely Dramatic and I’m feeling excited to have some more time this summer to work on a few projects here. In the meantime, I’ll be back on Saturdays. Cheers from me, and my second (or third) cup of coffee.
Here’s everything I’ve been loving, lately
I’m usually pretty hesitant to try a new face sunscreen but this one* is rosacea approved and hasn’t irritated my skin at all, so it gets a big thumb’s up from me. I’m ready for my pool mom summer.
Real Housewives of Rhode Island is a perfect show. I love these women.
I’m feeling a pull towards weaning at one year, at least from the daytime pumping. I believe that the best time to wean is when it’s no longer serving either mom or baby, and I know I’m still living a bit in a fog that will lift once we’re done. I loved Leah Hamilton’s post from this week, and Annaliese Godderz’s post from last year.
Whitney Goodman has become one of my never-skip reads on Substack. I’m obsessed with her No Gatekeeping posts, and also this one about when gentle parenting doesn't work out.
“Sister, and you are so good at that!” I left the Catholic Church long ago, but I am so delighted every time these nuns show up on my feed. The way they cheer each other on, I love it so much.
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I went to an Earlybirds Club Dance Party with friends last week and cannot recommend enough. Get your ladies and go dancing from 6-10pm, it’s the best.
Pia Baroncini wrote the most beautiful piece about her daughter Carmela.
Everything Gap is doing this spring is extremely for me. I’m saving my pennies for other things right now (a new computer, a not so fun foundation repair) but if I weren’t, I’d be shopping for this, this and these. (PS - all my Gap faves linked HERE)
Couch to 5K — I took a pause while dealing with illness and sleep issues, but I’ve been slowly plodding my way through this. Jennifer Klee is, true to her word, a great accountability buddy.
We’ve been back in the sleep trenches in our house, and that means most mornings I’m bleary eyed and struggling. I’ve been leaning on all black, no iron uniforms for those days. I still feel put together, but I barely have to think to get out the door.
One of my weirdest and longest running quirks — for nearly ten years, I’ve fallen asleep listening to NPR every single night. It started when my husband was taking grad school classes in Portugal the summer before we got married, and I was a little spooked by being alone in our apartment at night. I put on NPR for myself, the same way you might for an anxious dog you leave at home. It’s probably terrible for my nervous system. So for the past month, I’ve been using the Insight Timer app to practice Yoga Nidra as I go to sleep. I feel like it’s impacting my quality of sleep, even when I’m getting very little.
I loved these interviews from Ariane Anusbigian (girl crush) and Meighan Grady (well worn) this week.
Olivia Muenter’s Week of Outfits on Cup of Jo. I love all of them, but especially the all red + trench combo.
Lastly, I’m on day 32 of no alcohol. It’s the longest stretch I’ve had, aside from the time before, during, and just after my pregnancies. I’m finding I can’t tolerate even a single glass of wine anymore, and I hate the way it makes me feel in the morning. Mostly, though, I’ve found I like the discipline of keeping a promise to myself.
Let’s chat!
I’m so grateful for all the kind messages of support when I was honest about needing to take some time away. I love it here.
What are you loving lately? What was the best part of your week? Who is your favorite on RHORI?
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"Sister and you are so good at that" + the real housewives of rhode island! are we twins?! so happy you're back <3
Welcome back, my love. SS is a brighter place with you in it. I loveeeeeee an all black low maitenance uniform. Proud of you.