Maybe it’s because I live in Texas where it’s (as my dad would say) hotter’n blue blazes for 70% of the year. Maybe it’s because I watched too much Gilmore Girls as a kid. Or maybe it’s simply that (as one of my heroes, Richard Gilmore, would say) I am an autumn. All I know is that there is absolutely nothing that compares to the feeling of excitement I get when September 1st hits and I know the very best time of the year is creeping towards me.

Every year around this time I take a moment to slow down and set a few intentions for the season. I do this throughout the year as the seasons shift, but it’s the most fun when it’s fall.

I’ve learned that the most effective way to give myself more cozy fall moments is to slow down and notice when I’m having one! Sometimes I get so wrapped up in the chaos of life that my day is over before I process anything that actually happened. I’m buzzing around from one thing to another without checking in with myself, and it’s exhausting.

This fall, I’m committing to slowing down. I’m snapping photos of the things that make me smile. Pausing the laundry to watch the kids jump on the trampoline. Physically slowing my body down as I move about my day. The little things make a big difference here. Here are a few things I’m leaning into this fall to help me embrace the season as much as possible.

Paying subscribers - don’t forget to read all the way to the bottom because I’m sharing a little printable fall bucket list for you!

Consume the coziest content.

I’m eliminating any movies or shows that don’t absolutely delight me. If I’m feeling just okay about a show, I’m dropping it. Instead, I’m replacing it with the things I’m so excited to watch every week. And, sometimes that means watching Gilmore Girls for the 10,000th time. I’m watching 90’s rom-coms, spooky movies, and anything that gets me feeling warm and fuzzy.

A few movies and shows that make the list for me include:

• When Harry Met Sally

• Gilmore Girls

• Mystic Pizza

• Practical Magic

• Anything by Nancy Meyers

• You’ve Got Mail

• The West Wing

Even if I’ve seen it 100 times, these are the things that make me feel like I can take a deep breath and settle in without a care in the world. And that’s the only kind of vibe I want this fall.

Pick a word for the season.

I always pick a word at the beginning of the year that I want to channel all year long, but I’ve started thinking more about picking a word for each season instead. Things can change so much over the course of the year, and what felt important in January might not feel so weighty come September.

This fall, my word is reflection. I’m going to try to get back into journaling and spending some time each day thinking about my feelings instead of just shoving them down and moving on with my day. I’m going to try these journal prompts I found this month, but I also love a good Line a Day journal,

For me, spending a few minutes each morning journaling will encourage me to do more of that whole “slow down and notice” thing. If there’s anything I can do to force my body (and my brain) to move a little slower this time of year, I want to embrace it.

Other great words to focus on for the fall season could be:

• Celebrate

• Community

• Play

• Rest

Try picking one, then ask yourself how you can incorporate it a little more into your life!

Pick up a new hobby.

I think one of the reasons we don’t always embrace seasonal shifts properly is because we’re too busy being grown ups. We’re all caught up in planning dinner and getting work done and keeping the house clean, and suddenly something like jumping in a leaf pile or coloring for half an hour doesn’t feel that important.

But, what if we made it important again? What if this fall you committed to being bad at something? It could be crocheting or puzzles or painting - it doesn’t matter! The key is to embrace your inner child and shake things up.

If you’re struggling to know where to begin with this, try thinking about the things you loved as a kid that you don’t do anymore. Ask yourself if you can pick something back up to help you feel like a kid again.

Romanticize every day, no matter the temps.

I often hear people (especially those of us in warmer climates) lament that it’s hard to embrace fall when it’s still a bazillion degrees outside. I get it! My heart doesn’t feel very pumpkin spice-y when I still start sweating the moment I leave my house.

But, I’ve learned over the years that if I wait for it to feel like fall, I might never get to actually celebrate it! Some years, we’re lucky if it’s cool by Thanksgiving. So, instead, I started paying attention to what I wanted rather than what the weather report says.

I love diving into all the fall vibes as soon as September hits. So, that’s what I do. I start lighting more candles and wearing fall colors and putting out the (faux) pumpkins, even when it still feels like the surface of the sun. And you know what? It actually helps it feel a little more like fall in my heart. And that’s all that matters.

Capture that “leading lady” energy.

We all know that as moms, we can get so caught up in taking care of other people and our houses that we forget about ourselves. You’re worth a little investment too! This can look like making a playlist of music that brings you joy, scheduling a night out with your friends, or trying something new just because you can.

For me? I’m making the meals I want to make (not just the ones I think my kids will like), spending an extra 5 minutes picking an outfit instead of reaching for athleisure, and going for a solo walk in the evenings, even when I could be cleaning.

Really, more than anything, this is an attitude. A vibe. A mindset! You matter just as much as every other person in your family. Treat yourself like it.

Keep reading (or subscribe) for the FREE printable fall bucket list!

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But, this time around it feels like something has shifted a little. I’m not sure if it’s getting older, being on our fourth home, or something else entirely, but I find myself spending more and more time trying to love the home I have.

Don’t get me wrong - I adore doing projects and updates in our house. It’s so fun to put a personal touch on the house and I have plans for pretty much every inch of this home. But also, I’m determined not to spend all of my time noticing the flaws or things I want to change.

Instead of cringing at the dated wallpaper covering my bathroom, I’m smiling and thinking of how excited the original owners must have been to pick it out.

Rather than grumbling about the tile floor that I don’t like the look of, I’m appreciating how easy it is to keep clean and how much my fluffy dog loves sleeping on its cool surface.

When I want to whine about how little natural light we have, I’m trying to pause and appreciate how cozy the house feels when it’s dimly lit. (Okay, I’m still working on this one.)

As with anything in life, it’s really easy to look around and think about all of the things we wish were different. I adore living in an older home, but there are times I visit a friend who lives in a new, freshly updated home and think about how nice it was to live somewhere where everything was already a clean, blank slate. As humans, we’re a little bit wired to notice the negative, and it takes a lot more work to find the positive.

I think it took finding our dream house on our dream lot in our dream part of town to realize that it doesn’t matter if it’s dated and takes me 15 years to make it looks how I want it to look. I can enjoy every single second along the way. And I can love my home exactly as it is, ugly lighting and popcorn ceilings and all.

I know it’s nothing revolutionary, but I think in our current world of social media, we’re constantly presented with people who live in giant, gorgeous houses where they’ve renovated every single flaw away. Those houses are great and it’s so fun to watch them do it, but sometimes I can slip into the mindset that this is what things should look like.

But, when it comes to your home, there is no should other than…

• you should let out a sigh of relief when you sink onto the couch after a long day.

• it should be a place where your entire family can be themselves.

• you should fill it with laughter and snuggles and, yes, messes.

• it should feel like a space that belongs to you.

If you can check those boxes, you’re golden. Everything else is just extra.

If you’re struggling to love your home as it is, I feel you. It took me a lot of years (and four homes) to learn how to do it. Here are a few of my best tips for embracing the flaws, and for picking which projects to tackle (and which ones can wait for later).

13 Tips for Loving Your Home and Knowing What to Actually Fix (and What to Skip)

• Keep a gratitude list for your home. Start a note on your phone and try to jot down at least a few things a week that you love about your home. It doesn’t have to be about how the house looks, if you’re struggling there - it can be about how it feels. You chose this house for a reason - lean into that! A bonus: As you work on this list you can use it to learn what you want more of in your house!

• Make the boring (but tiny) updates. This might be a surprising suggestion but hear me out…

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I just spent approximately 45 minutes mulling over what I wanted to say to you this week. The problem is I have way too many thoughts swirling in my head (see number 1 below) but none of them are fully formed enough to actually write a few hundred words about them.

So, instead, we’re going the brain dump route. I used to write this style of post on my blog all the time way back in the early aughts and they were always my favorite to write. So, without further ado, a peek inside my brain this week.

1. My brain fog has been out of control the last few days, and I’m not sure if it’s perimenopause, too much social media, my brain being too full after a summer of nonstop “mom watch this!”, or something else entirely. All I know is I can’t seem to form a complete thought or stay focused on anything for more than 38 seconds, and it’s getting old, fast.

2. There is enough discourse and opinions out there about the Lindsay Clancy trial already, and I don’t need to add to it. But one thing I cannot stop thinking about is how we collectively seem to conflate real life with CSI or a Freida McFadden novel. Everyone seems to be waiting for some twist or big reveal and is overanalyzing every detail. It’s an interesting (and sad) side effect of the true crime obsession and I can’t stop thinking about how we got here and how the response might be different if she wasn’t a young, pretty white woman.

3. An inevitable result of reading 100+ books a year is that you’re going to read some clunkers, or even just books that are fine but not life-changing. I’ve found myself really craving something spectacular lately and have mostly ended up with books that are just good. I’m about a quarter of the way through this new release, though, and it’s showing serious promise!

4. We are about to enter the season of extracurriculars for our house (my oldest is trying out to be a stage manager for the school play and will have practice 3-4 times a week after school if he makes it!) and while I love supporting the things my kids want to do, it can make weekday evenings feel extra chaotic. I’m thinking of compiling a list of super simple go-to meals for nights when things are feeling extra hard. My regular rotation includes caesar salad smash tacos, breakfast for dinner, and Hawaiian roll sliders (in all forms). What should I add to the list?

5. We recently had dinner with friends where we all shared how we were feeling in four categories: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. It was a fascinating exercise in really examining my own feelings and I’ve been thinking about it a lot. One thing that really stuck out to me was that on that particular day I identified my mental state as “anxious” - but since then when I’ve repeated the exercise on my own, I’ve noticed days where my anxiety was more physical, or days where it felt emotional rather than mental. I haven’t figured out what to do with this information yet, but I’ve found myself paying more attention to which type of anxiety I’m experiencing. It’s also been so valuable to parse out how I’m feeling emotionally versus mentally, and to ask the same of Corey!

6. I’ve put myself on a bit of a time-out from buying clothes because I spent the entire summer reaching for my favorite oversized tees and athletic shorts. But, in the last couple of weeks I haven’t been able to resist this striped tank and these adorable pants. I’ve already worn both multiple times so I’m not even sorry for breaking my own rules.

7. A few weird milestones we’ve hit lately as parents of an almost-teenager: My son is officially taller than me. I took him to buy jeans last week and we shopped in the adult section (he now wears the same inseam as my husband). He spends hours parked at our kitchen table listening to podcasts and drawing and part of me wants to force him to take the headphones off and join us, but I remember being a teenager and needing hours to listen to music, flip through magazines, and decompress so I can’t be annoyed. It’s strange being caught between “I miss you, come hang out with me” and “I remember doing exactly the same thing”.

8. The bathroom renovation is coming together - here’s a little preview at a few things I’ve ordered lately: this light fixture, this toilet handle (the details matter!), and I currently have both this and this in my cart and can’t decide between them. Which do you like?

9. My youngest has a birthday coming up next week and he went rogue with invitations for his party, which is being held at our house. I have no idea who all is coming at this point. It could be 7 kids or it could be 23. We’ll find out together! He’s requested the following: Costco pizza, taco bites, donuts instead of cake, a Mario Kart tournament, an art table, and space to dance. Sounds like a party to me.

10. I pushed myself a little too hard on a run earlier this week and I’m feeling it in my old lady foot (I have plantar fasciitis and it’s a whole thing). Feeling extra grateful for these house shoes and a good ice pack.

11. There is so much great television coming out in the next couple of months that I can barely stand it. I’m particularly looking forward to Carrie, The Lizzie Bordon Story, and American Horror Story. Oh, and Traitors and a new season of Survivor! And Crystal Lake! I love fall TV time.

12. It might not be fall yet but as my husband said the other day, if it’s fall in Disney World, it’s fall in my heart. Disney’s been in full on Halloween mode for a couple of weeks now and if Mickey says it’s spooky season, then it’s spooky season. I’ve been slowly embracing a few of my fall favorites like Witches’ Brew, baking, all the spooky movies, and busting out a puzzle or two. It feels good.

Whew. It feels good to get all of those thoughts out. Maybe now I’ll be able to focus a bit. Or maybe I’ll just give up on focusing and read my book instead. Only time will tell!

What is on your brain this week?

If we’re not careful, it can be really easy to get to Friday night and realize we’ve barely had a conversation as a family, much less intentionally connected with one another.

Over the years, I’ve created an unofficial mental list of ways that I can make our weeknights feel a little more connected. I’m not always good about doing it, but if we get halfway through the week and things are feeling wonky, this is always a good reset.

My kids go back to school today (!!!), so this is something that’s been on my mind lately, and I wanted to share a few of my go-to ways to connect when weeks feel particularly busy. You don’t have to do it all - just pick one or two that feel like a good fit and commit to trying them. You’ll be surprised at what a difference a little shift in your routine can make.

10 Small Ways to Make Family Weeknights More Connected

1. Play a card game. Our absolute favorite way to connect as a family and shake things up a bit is to play a game after dinner. We have a solid rotation of super simple games that don’t take long and everyone enjoys, and my favorite nights are the ones where we finish cleaning up from dinner and then immediately play a round or two. It always makes a regular Tuesday feel more like a weekend, and the memories of laughing together around the table are the ones that’ll sit with me forever! Our go-to’s are Skyjo, Rack-o, Five Crowns, Play Nine, and Uno - but you can see all of our favorite family games here!

2. Have a family show. Last year we set out to pick a show that we could all enjoy as a family. Like, truly enjoy - not just something that dad and I can scroll on our phones while the kids watch. We started off with Doctor Who (the kids adore it) and lately we’ve been watching Young Sheldon. During the school year, we sometimes watch an episode after the kids are showered and in their pajamas, right before they go to bed. It’s such a cozy time to all pile on the couch and laugh together, and it’s a very low-lift way to connect. It can be tricky to find shows for the whole family (especially with younger kids) but a few we love watching together include: Full House, Family Matters, Top Chef Jr., Beast Games, and America’s Funniest Home Videos.

3. Post dinner walks. This is hard for us at the beginning of the school year because Texas still feels like the surface of the sun until 10PM. But once the evenings start to feel a little cooler, there isn’t much I love more than forcing everyone outside for some mandatory family exercise after dinner. The kids complain about it. My husband is always a tiny bit annoyed by the idea. Heck, by the time we step out the door I’m usually questioning if I even want to do it anymore. But, there’s something kinda magical about moving your body together out in nature. Everyone comes home feeling a little calmer, the conversations on the walk are great, and it’s the perfect way to wind down for the evening. We don’t do this one as much as I’d like, but I want to add it to our routine more this year!

4. Start a dinner tradition.

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You know the feeling, right?

When you find yourself wondering how everyone else is juggling all the things but you still feel like a teenager masquerading as an adult? That feeling when a problem comes up and you instinctively find yourself searching for a “real grown up” before realizing that you are, in fact, a very real grown up and have been for multiple decades?

I think it’s a pretty universal experience. But, I’m not positive. And I’m pretty convinced that the reason I’m not positive it’s a universal experience is because everyone is pretending like they have it all together.

Over the last few years as I’ve worked to unlearn a lot of my perfectionist tendencies, I’ve learned that one of the best ways to fight that feeling is by being real. I used to be really hesitant to share mistakes, mishaps, or the hard stuff, but I have tried to lean into more openness when it comes to the messy parts. Because I don’t want anyone to ever look at my social media profiles and think “how does she do it all? I could never…”

So, in the interest of reminding you that we’re all just faking being grown-ups, here a few things I’m completely and utterly failing at lately.

10 Things I’m NOT Doing Well Right Now

1. Family dinners at the table. I’ve always sworn we’re a “dinner at the table” family. But this summer we’ve fallen into a routine of being a “dinner in front of the television with an episode of Young Sheldon” family. It’s easy and I’ve been talking to the kids all day long so it gives my introverted self a little break. And the kids love it! But, I truly miss those family gatherings at the table. I’m hoping to get back into our normal routine once school starts, but if you struggle to corral everyone at the table every night, just know you aren’t alone.

2. Managing my anxiety without defaulting to distraction. When I’m out of routine or when things feel off, I tend to fall into a habit of using my phone, a book, or literally anything to distract myself and not deal with the anxiety. I’ve gotten a lot better about this over the years, but summer is always a higher-anxiety time for me (see “out of routine”) and I’ve gotta admit - I’m not managing it all that well these days.

3. Eating healthy. I always think summer will be the season I’ll lean into things like grilled chicken and fresh salads and ripe fruit. But instead, this summer I had to avoid bagged salads (danger!) and I did more leaning into ice cream and margaritas and Costco pizza. Whoops.

4. Running. If you’ve followed me on social media for a while you’ll know that running was kind of my thing. I got really into it in 2020 when I was desperate to get out of the house and ended up running 3 marathons. And then, I hurt my foot and had to take a few months off. And now? I can barely get through a 5k without a quick walking break. I don’t know if it’s perimenopause or just pure laziness but running doesn’t hit like it used to and I’m feeling some really mixed feelings about it. It’s caused me to avoid it more than I’d like and sent me into a bit of an exercise-related existential crisis. Because I’m nothing if not totally measured and reasonable when it comes to these things.

5. Keeping up with my garden / backyard. Every year I declare this will be the year I become a gardener. And every year I get one month in, forget about it, and abandon the whole thing. We’re actually doing better than usual this year since I set up a drip irrigation system (it waters itself - win!), but my daily garden checks have become weekly-ish garden checks and it shows.

6. Avoiding “roommate mode”. You know what I’m talking about, right? When you and your partner are so busy dealing with kids and houses and jobs and life that you pause to look up and realize you spend more days existing like roommates than like people who are madly in love? Summer is the prime time for this to happen (the kids are ALWAYS! HERE!), but I have to admit we haven’t been great at prioritizing things like date nights or doing anything other than falling into bed and binging Cape Fear once we get the kids settled for the evening.

7. Actually finishing a thought. There are too many thoughts in my head and too much chaos in my house to let any of them out. It’s jumbled up and messy and… what were we talking about again?

8. Prioritizing quiet time for myself. Oh boy, do I ever feel this one during the summer. I try waking up a little earlier to squeeze in some “me” time, but the kids have a radar for these things and come slinking out of their room at the crack of dawn. Even when I do manage to get up early I get distracted by cleaning or puttering around and I don’t just exist and take some time for myself. And then I get annoyed with myself for not having the discipline to do the things I want to do. And ‘round and ‘round we go.

9. Maintaining a creative outlet that isn’t also work. I’ve been having a ton of fun stretching my creative muscles for work lately (aged planters and bathroom makeovers and patio refreshes galore!), but I’ve had an unfinished puzzle on my table for two weeks because I '“never have time” to sit down and work on it just for fun.

10. Being nice to myself. Woof. Okay, this one’s a bit vulnerable, but here we go: I’m pretty mean to myself. Like, all the time. I have a nasty inner critic (Enneagram 1’s unite!), and I’m not always great at controlling her. In high anxiety times (see number 2!), she gets extra noisy and mean. I try my best to counter the negative thoughts but I’m still at the part where I say the nice thing to myself but I don’t really believe it. I’ll get there someday but in the interest of being real with you, I’m not there today.

So, there you have it. The things I’m not juggling well. Don’t get me wrong - there are plenty of things I’m doing a pretty good job at lately. We’ve been playing lots of family games and reading together every night and I get my steps in most days and I’m not addicted to any illicit substances. That counts for something, right?!

Anyways. I’m off to eat some Costco pizza and watch Young Sheldon with the kids. We’ll get it together eventually.

How are you holding up this summer?

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But, the more I see the trend the more I think about the little things in life that are worth it, despite my utter annoyance. The things that I wish I could ignore but I’ve learned actually make me feel better in a tangible way. A lot of the things on this list don’t cost a penny. They’re just dumb habits that I force myself to do even though I hate them. Some of them are products or things that do cost money, and they’re included because they fall into the category of “good lord I wish I didn’t love this so much but I do and now I’m stuck with it”.

Proceed with caution. You might find yourself forced to do all this dumb stuff that makes you feel better.

10 Things That Are (Unfortunately) Totally Worth It

1. Setting an alarm and waking up early. Starting off with a nice cliche! As we’re deep in the summer months where I find it harder and harder to wake up on time, I find this to be so true. The mornings where I set my alarm and get my workout in before anyone in the house wakes up set me up for a better day 100% of the time. I love sleeping in a little, and there’s no better feeling than lingering in bed on Saturday morning. But, the older I get the more I have to admit that an early wake-up time is key to a really great day for me. Even if the thought of doing it makes me want to cry.

2. Staying hydrated. Oh look, another cliche (I promise we’ll get more creative in a minute). I had to include this one because I am the actual worst at hydration. I hate it. Water is so dumb and I don’t want to drink it. I want to live like I did as a child and survive off occasional sips from the hose and an ice-cold Coke. I don’t want to drink stupid water from my stupid Stanley (also annoyingly worth it). But, last December I committed to starting every single day with a big ol’ 40 oz bottle of water and I hate to admit that it’s delightful. I feel better. I have more energy. I drink even more water because of it. Once I finish my first one I allow myself to swap to flavored water (this is my fave if I need caffeine, this is my favorite if I don’t), but some days I manage to get three entire refills on my bottle. And I love it! Ew!

3. Disposable face cloths. I have very, very sensitive skin. It’s acne-prone and allergic-reaction-prone and I have to be verrrrrry careful about how I treat my face. I used to keep a ton of wash cloths in under my sink and use a fresh one every day to dry my face. But, I suspected that the soap buildup or the laundry detergent was causing issues, so I decided to give disposable face cloths a try instead. Guess what? My skin LOVES THEM. They’re one of the top things I credit for my clear skin now, and if I ever travel and forget to bring them I always break out. I know they’re bad for the environment. I know they’re expensive. I’m sorry. I can’t help it. They’re amazing.

4. Waiting to make big decisions for your home. When I move into a new house I want to change everything right away. I want it to feel like MINE as soon as possible! And, to some extend, that’s great and fine! Paint some walls. Grab some new art. But, one thing this move has taught me is that you will make better decisions every single time if you wait and live in the space for a while. Case in point: our sofa. We desperately needed a new sofa when we moved so we grabbed one we loved. And it was great (I still love it!) but a few months in it became clear it just wasn’t the right fit for how we use the space. And, there was no way to know that without living in the space for a while! We upgraded to a new one last week and I can’t even begin to tell you how much better it is for us. I always recommend waiting at least a year or two before a big, expensive renovation, but apparently waiting for large furniture purchases is a good idea too, if you can!

5. A family game night, even when you aren’t in the mood. At the end of a long day (especially in the summer), all I want to do is crash on the couch and zone out to Young Sheldon (our family’s current obsession). But, when the kids ask for a game night instead I have a blanket policy of always saying yes. Even if I’m really not in the mood. And there has not been one single time that I have ever regretted it. Even if everyone is tired and cranky and annoyed, we always leave a family game night feeling a little happier. You can see all of our favorites right here. So far this summer, Skyjo and Racko have been the ones to hit our table the most frequently!

6. A Frame TV. Y’all. I hate that I’m so obsessed with my Frame TV. In fact, when we moved to this house I spent literal weeks researching other similar options that are cheaper. I was determined not to spend so much dang money on a stupid television. But, none of the other options on the market checked all the boxes that the Frame TV does and so, unfortunately, we had to buy another one. We only have one in the living room (I don’t necessarily think they’re worth it elsewhere) but I cannot fathom not having one at this point. I’m so spoiled and I love changing the art all the time and I have all the settings just how I like it and dammit, they’re totally worth it.

7. Getting dressed every day (okay, most days). My love language is an oversized tee (or sweatshirt) and athletic shorts. I would love nothing more than to wear some version of that every single day of my life. But, I’ve learned that actually getting dressed in real clothes can make me a more productive and happier person. When I stretch myself a little and try to put together a cute outfit most days, I feel better. I still lean into comfort when I’m feeling run down or if it’s just one of those days, but making an effort to look cute more often than not is one of those habits that sadly is completely worth the effort.

8. Putting yourself out there to find community. I know so many people who have really struggled to find friends in adulthood. I’ve been one of them. And as a major introvert with social anxiety, the thought of going out there and trying to make friends is a literal nightmare. But, there have been a couple of times in the last decade that I’ve really recognized my need for community and forced myself to get out there and do it. And you know what? It worked and was delightful and I have some of the best, most cherished friends now because of it. Maybe it means joining a book club where you know no one or trying a new church or just chatting it up with someone at school pickup. It’s hard and I hate it but I promise you won’t regret it.

9. Birkenstocks. I resisted them for years. I swore the dupes were just as good. But then I became an old lady who needs arch support and has foot paint and my podiatrist told me the Birks were good for my feet. So I broke down and splurged and OH BOY they’re worth it. Dammit. I only have one pair so far but I’m eyeing these. Ugh.

10. Therapy. Gotta save the best for last, friends! I’ve officially become one of those annoying people who says things like, “my therapist said…” and “the other day in therapy we talked about…”. EW! I hate it! But also, WOW I’m a totally different person who knows how to manage stress and is learning how to not be so hard on myself and I can literally see the growth in myself. Getting out there and trying it for the first time is so hard it feels impossible, but I think everyone could benefit from therapy. Everyone.

So, that’s my list. A bunch of stuff that I don’t want to be doing but I do anyways because it makes me feel like a better, happier, more productive human.

What would be on your list?!

I thought maybe I was the only one who feels this way every year, but the messages quickly started rolling in. It was clear that I’m not alone. Less than 24 hours later I started seeing people mentioning the “dog days of summer” all over the place, and I realized I’ve never thought much about that phrase but it’s exactly what I’m experiencing. We’ve reached the hottest, most humid time of the year, we haven’t had a second to think a real adult thought in nearly two months, and things just feel hard.

Last night I was laying in bed reviewing my day and I realized how out of touch I feel right now. At the end of the day I often realize I spent more time zoning out or distracting myself that I did really sinking into my body and enjoying the day. Everything starts to blur together a little bit and it’s hard to remember what I actually did that day.

I used to get really hard on myself when this feeling crept in every year. Why can’t I just pull myself together and be productive? Why am I so tired? Why can’t I just be more present and enjoy the day?

I still beat myself up a little (if you catch me yawning today it’s because I was up half the night mulling it all over), but I’ve learned that this is just part of the rhythm of the year. It happens - and not just to me! It’s normal to feel drained and out of sorts when your entire routine has been thrown off for months and you’re still weeks away from school starting back up. Summer is expensive and overwhelming and this is about the time of year when the kids start to get extra whiny and needy. The bickering never ends, and it’s nearly impossible to feel like a fully functioning human when you’ve broken up 24 fights about absolutely nothing before 10 AM.

Most years I tend to just power through and survive from this point until school start back up in August. But, we’ve still got a solid three and a half weeks of summer left and that feels like a long time to just push through. So, I’ve been thinking about what I can do to shake off the summer slump and truly embrace these last few weeks of summer.

Here’s what I’ve come up with so far.

10 Ways to Break Out of the Dreaded Summer Slump

1. Pause and enjoy the kids every single day. Sure, we hang out together all day every day right now, but I don’t always take the time to be with them. We might watch a Young Sheldon after dinner or play a quick round of Mario Kart, but I’m not always intentional about setting aside all of the distractions and soaking them up. It doesn’t have to be big - a quick walk to the library. A visit to the park. A round of cards while dinner cooks. Even just a few minutes jumping into whatever they’re doing and being present with them. This one is all about the mindset (No phones! Be in the moment!) and requires a lot of intentionality, but I know it’ll make the biggest difference.

2. Give myself grace with my work load. I get a little better at this every single summer as I continue to practice, but I can be a bit of a drill sergeant towards myself when it comes to getting things done. However, summer should be a time for slowing down - and that’s okay! Instead of trying to keep a “normal” schedule, I’m trying to lean into taking breaks midday to read, pausing to take the dog on a walk, or closing the laptop early to watch the kids jump on the trampoline. The work will be there tomorrow.

3. More music, more candles. One of the littlest things I can do to make my home feel cozier and my brain feel quieter is to play some music and light a candle. Dancing in the kitchen while I cook dinner does something wonderful to my nervous system. Turning the tv off and turning on some music has some sort of magic power over me that I can’t explain, but it works. Adding in a candle (this one is my summer favorite) reminds me that being intentional about my days feels good. It helps me sink into the moment and get out my head in a matter of seconds.

4. Create a rhythm. One of the reasons this part of summer gets so hard for us is that we’re a family that thrives on routine - and there is no routine right now. So, creating some summer rhythms that mimic the flow of our normal weeks can help us feel more grounded. It doesn’t have to be serious, either! Last year, we played Mario Kart every single night before bed and it was the most special summer tradition. This year, we’ve all been piling into my bed for a few minutes while Corey and I play Zelda and it’s equally special. Things like having a pizza night, going to grab gas station treats (our favorite!) every Friday to kick off the weekend, or taking a morning walk every day will create a sense of routine that we all need right now.

5. Plan a little adventure. Having something to look forward to can make a huge difference. If you’ve got the budget for a quick weekend away, that’s the perfect way to break up a summer slump. But if you (like us!) are feeling a little tired of spending money right now (summer is expensiveeeee), it doesn’t have to be that big. Visit a new pool. Go to a local water park. Try a new restaurant or take a day trip to visit an out-of-town friend! Anything that breaks up the day-to-day and reminds you that summer is special will do the trick.

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I’m not sure what it is about 2026, but I’ve been reading even more than usual lately. In fact, I’m already over 3/4 of the way to my goal of 100 books for the year!

I guess I’ve needed a little escapism more than ever. Go figure.

I often get asked what books I’m reading and loving and, well, when you read a bajillion books a month there are bound to be some duds. Honestly I’ve truly enjoyed most of what I’ve read this year, but there are certainly a few that have stood out above the rest. So today, I thought it would be fun to round up my top 10 books from the first half of the year. If you’re looking for something great to read, stick around.

The 10 Best Books I’ve Read So Far This Year

Note: I’ve combined series into one entry and counted them as one book. My list, my rules. Also, these are in no particular order.

The Raven Scholar. My best friend and I exchange books every Christmas, and this is what I got her in 2025. She loved it enough to convince me to read it and I still think about it all the time. If you enjoy fantasy books without the romance, this is a great options. I can’t wait for the second one!

The Wedding People. I fully expected to not love this book, but it was so, so good. I don’t love a mid-life-crisis trope, but this one was incredibly compelling and surprised me at every turn. Absolutely loved it, perfect beach read if you’re looking for one!

Dungeon Crawler Carl. What do I even say about this series? It’s so good. Instant obsession. Try the audiobooks, they might just change your life. It’s impossible to explain (it sounds absolutely crazy), so just jump in. It’s such a fun ride.

This Changes Everything. The audiobook is a MUST-LISTEN. Tyler reads it himself and it’s so well done. This book made me laugh, made me cry, and made me think. Everyone needs to read it, truly. This was a close tie with his other book, I Take My Coffee Black, so honestly you should probably just read both.

Braving the Truth. For a couple of months there I think everyone in my life got sick of hearing me talk about this book because I would not shut up. I still think about it all the time and I know it’s one I’ll read a bunch of times. Get a physical copy so you can highlight and take notes. Prepare to feel big feelings.

Project Hail Mary. Another audiobook that was so fun to listen to! This story was so sweet and fascinating and fun. I didn’t know what to expect going into it, but I just loved every second of this story. The movie is incredible too, of course.

Carrie Soto is Back. I have absolutely adored every book I’ve read by TJR, and this one was no exception. I love a complicated main character, and Carrie was so compelling to follow. This story is beautiful and sad and wonderful in so many ways.

Quicksilver / Brimstone. I don’t know why I took so long to try this series but HOLY COW, I loved it! Easily right up there with my other favorite romantasy books, and one I’ll need a physical copy of eventually so I can read it again and again.

Yellowface. This book is hard and uncomfortable and downright upsetting at times. But, it stuck with me lonnggggggg after I finished it and to me that’s the mark of a great book! I felt so many feelings reading this, and I still think about it all the time.

House in the Cerulean Sea. Howwwww did it take me so long to read this adorable book? It was so sweet and funny and delightful in every way and I love these characters and this world so much. It wasn’t at all what I expected, but I loved every second.

There are a ton of other books I loved this year (this one and this one were honorable mentions, for example), but these were the best of the best!

I’d love to hear - what have you been reading lately? What should I read next?!

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Tiny little bursts of happiness are all around and you don’t notice them until you start to pay a little more attention.

Once I started paying more attention to joy, I quickly started seeking more of it. I call it chasing joy. Sometimes it’s just a matter of noticing the special things already happening around you, but sometimes it takes a tiny bit more effort. I love creating little moments of joy and magic for my family, and I’ve observed that a lot of people seem to think it’s a lot more complicated than it actually is.

Summer is the perfect time to create a little magic for your family, so I thought today I’d share a few ideas for how to make an ordinary summer Tuesday feel special.

30 Tiny Ways to Make Summer More Magical

• Eat watermelon. All the time. Eat it alone, mix it with cucumber and feta, pair it with burgers…it’s a must in the house all summer long.

• Drop everything and go out for ice cream. No reason needed.

• Make a big fort in the living room and have a family campout.

• Go on walks where the kids get to choose which way to turn at every opportunity. Try to get lost then find your way home.

• Visit a tourist trap in your town that you’ve never been to. The cheesier the better.

• Have a crafty tradition - we tie dye shirts every year and the kids start begging to do it the moment school gets out. We’ve done socks and sweatshirts and more and the kids wear them year-round. It always brings up the sweetest summer memories!

• Have a themed movie night every week. Make snacks that go with the movie, have the kids create invitations or decorate - do it up big!

• Play video games with the kids (last summer we had a Mario Kart tournament every single night! This summer, we’ve spent most nights piled in my bed playing Zelda together).

• Buy fresh notebooks for the kids and have them journal/scrapbook their summer. Bonus points if you grab a photo printer so they can print out their favorite memories. (I have this one!)

• Buy a disposable camera for the kids and develop it at the end of the summer.

• Keep popsicles in the freezer at all times. Say yes every time the kids want one.

• Have a “Yes Day” for the kids where they rule the day and you say yes to every request you possibly can.

• Let the kids stay up late as often as you can. Especially if they’re playing outside or giggling together.

• Have a board and card game marathon. Make a bracket. Have prizes. See our favorite family games here!

• Commit to taking a photo (or 1-2 second video) every single day to document the summer.

• Have the kids cook dinner. Stay out of the kitchen as much as you can - let chaos reign. It’s okay!

• Designate a signature summer drink. In our family, it’s strawberry lemonade - it’s not summer until we make a pitcher! And, for the grown-ups, it’s homemade rum punch.

• Pick a signature summer scent or candle and use it daily. (This is mine)

• Create a summer playlist and listen to it in the car all summer long. I have a playlist for every season, and I listen to them constantly!

• Swap to baskets + wax paper liners instead of plates all summer. Fewer dishes and it feels special!

• Stock up on sprinkler toys, water balloons, and NERF water guns. Encourage daily use for peak 90’s summer vibes.

• Have everyone in your family choose a new skill to practice over the summer (juggling! crochet! origami!)

• Have the kids create a “bored jar” or “bored list” of screen-free things they can do when they’re out of ideas.

• Pick something random to document and keep track all summer. Number of bug bites. How many ice cream cones you ate. How many times you went to the pool. Keep a tally on the fridge and make it a family activity to track.

• Invite friends over for dinner last minute. Like, “hey I made too many burgers, wanna come over in an hour?”. Nothing is more quintessentially summer than an impromptu hangout!

• In the hour before bedtime, have a family reading session (see some of our faves to read together here!) or a story-telling time!

• Eat in the backyard every night that the weather doesn’t feel like it’ll melt you.

• Encourage the kids to set up an obstacle course in the backyard, and then have the grown-ups go through it.

• Create a Summer Bingo Card - do bucket-list style items and celebrate with ice cream every time someone gets a bingo.

• Dance parties in the kitchen. Nightly. Honestly, keep this one up year round for peak joy.

Creating magic in your house this summer doesn’t have to be hard or expensive or even take much time. It’s all about being in the moment, recognizing an opportunity for some fun, and taking it.

I’d love to hear about YOUR family magic moments and traditions! How do you make your ordinary summer Tuesdays feel more special?

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But I found myself staring at a blank screen, getting distracted by scrolling on my phone, and just generally avoiding the whole thing.

Why? Because I currently feel like I’m being chased by a bear, and that can make it really hard to focus on anything productive.

I’ve talked about this before, but I live with a generalized anxiety disorder. It’s mostly under control through medication and exercise but some days it just hits me. And when it does? It’s almost impossible to actually function. Every hour of work feels like a herculean effort, and my body is so exhausted from the constant-tensing and the not-sleeping and the heart-beating-a-million-miles-a-minute and all I want to do is climb back into bed and binge watch Gilmore Girls.

But, you know, I’m a mom and I have a job that needs to pay the bills and giving into my anxiety isn’t always convenient (or possible). Over the years, I’ve learned a lot of methods to help me manage my anxiety and continue to function when my nervous system is going beserk, so since I can’t focus on anything else today, I figured it was a great time to share.

If you also live with anxiety, I hope it helps. Also, I hope you have your own tips you can add in the comments below because I’ll take all the help I can get. And, if you don’t have chronic anxiety, I hope you’re still able to find a tidbit or two that might help on that random day when you happen to feel your body go into overdrive.

How I Manage My Chronic Anxiety

I know my triggers.

When I first started dealing with anxiety, I would ask myself “what am I anxious about?” In the early days, I could almost always pinpoint a specific moment or thought that had set off the “my skin is on fire” feeling, and if I addressed that it would pass.

But, unfortunately, my anxiety has only gotten worse as I’ve gotten older and that method isn’t nearly as effective these days. In fact, when I’m on a stretch like this where it’s been 4 or 5 days of constant panicking, I don’t even ask myself what I’m anxious about anymore. I’m anxious about everything and also nothing. There isn’t always one single thing that has set me off, and often it’s just hormones or the phase of the moon (kidding, kind of) and I just have to roll with it.

That being said, there are a few things that I know tend to cause higher anxiety days for me. They include:

• Being in my luteal phase.

• Being in my PMS-y phase.

• Not getting enough sleep.

• Having too much caffeine.

• Not moving my body enough.

• A chaotic or messy environment (there’s a reason I’m a clean freak).

Often (but not always), when I’m having an anxious phase I can pinpoint at least one of these things that’s happening. I can’t always do anything about it, but just the knowledge that I’m anxious because my period is coming and this is just what my body does can be oddly comforting.

I don’t push myself too hard.

I used to try to “fix” my anxiety by doing things. And honestly? It worked. I’m a very structured and organized person and I looooooooove a to-do list. I learned that if I would just throw myself into work or cleaning or doing, it would distract me from the anxiety and give me a little dopamine hit from accomplishing something.

But the problem is, that’s like putting a bandaid on a bullet wound. Sure, it makes me feel better in the moment but it doesn’t actually teach me how to live with the anxiety. In fact, over time it made me more anxious because the moment I felt those old familiar feelings come, I would rush to distract myself. And then my body was constantly bracing for it because we can’t let ourselves actually feel those awful anxious feelings!

If therapy has taught me anything it’s that I absolutely have to let myself actually sit in and FEEL the anxiety. It sucks. I hate every second of it. I think it’s stupid and terrible and the worst idea ever.

And also, it helps.

Not at first. At first it just feels really shitty, if I’m being honest. But, over time, I’ve learned to stop fearing the feeling of anxiety. I’ve learned to sit with it for brief times and just let myself be okay with being anxious. This one is still very much a work in progress, but it has helped more than I thought it would.

But also, I don’t let myself fully give in.

Of course, as with everything in life, this can be a careful balancing act. If I let myself feel the anxiety too much, then I fall apart. I cancel plans and avoid leaving the house and don’t try new things and hole up like a scared little rabbit and then the anxiety wins.

I don’t know that I have any magical advice for how to let yourself feel your anxiety without turning into a puddle of mush, but I find for me it can be helpful to be specific about it. If I’m feeling anxious I might give myself one hour to rot in bed and watch mindless television, but then I tell myself I have to get up and get back to life. Or, I’ll sit and just feel awful for 10 minutes, then I have to try something I know helps (like a walk or some yoga).

I MOVE! MY! BODY!

My husband tells me I can get a little preachy about this one, so I’ll keep it brief: moving my body is the single biggest tangible thing I can do to help manage my feelings of anxiety.

It can be a run, a walk, yoga, lifting weights - anything. But, the more anxious I am feeling the more important it is to get my exercise in.

I let the sun touch my skin.

Sometimes I don’t wanna. Hiding in my house feels much easier. But science (and past experience) says that getting outside is helpful for anxiety, depression, and just about everything else. So, I make sure it happens daily.

I write it down.

Sometimes I’m anxious because there is just too much noise in my head. In my years of studying the Enneagram, I’ve learned that my type (1!) is an external processor who is thinking-repressed. That means I have a ton of thoughts in my head but I don’t always know how to sort through them productively, and the only way I can actually process my thoughts and feelings is to get them out of my body.

Sometimes that means talking it out with someone, sometimes it means talking to myself while I vacuum (yes, seriously), and sometimes it means grabbing a piece of paper and doing a major brain dump of every single thought jumping around in there.

And, you know, sometimes it means dedicating an entire newsletter to how I manage my anxiety because I can’t think about anything else.

I have a list.

And finally, the first ever method I tried to manage my anxiety is one that I still use - I have a list of things that help. When anxiety has taken over my mind and body it can be hard to know what to do. So, I started a note in my phone and wrote down everything I know that helps, even marginally.

It includes things like:

• Going for a drive and listening to music

• Going for a walk

• Laughing with my kids

• Reading a book for a while

• Working on a puzzle

• Getting myself a little treat (like a gas station drink or my favorite chips)

They’re all little, actionable things that I know can help pull me out of a spiral. And when all else fails, I turn to this list and start crossing things off one by one.

Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t also mention that one of the biggest things that has made a difference for my anxiety overall is therapy. I was not managing my anxiety well (or at all) when I started visiting my therapist, but over the last year of regular visits I’ve learned so much and I credit my confidence in managing my anxiety completely to her.

So, even though I’m still going to be living some days feeling like I’m being chased, these are just a few things that help me remember there isn’t actually a bear behind me.

I’d love to hear your experience with anxiety, or how you manage spiral-y days!

If you like being nosy (goodness knows I do), enjoy. 😉

7:30

I’ve been awake for a while but unable to climb out of bed. I planned on getting up sooner but G joined us in bed around 3:30 last night and I struggled to settle after that. I’m absolutely exhausted but I know I’ll feel better if I get up and move, so I drag myself out of bed and head to the office for some yoga. Some mornings I run, some mornings I lift weights, but I pretty much always start my weekdays with some sort of workout!

9:00

I’ve wrapped up my yoga video and showered. It was hair wash day which means I also had to blow dry my hair. I listened to my audiobook while I got ready for the day, and it makes one of my least favorite tasks (blow drying my hair) a little more enjoyable.

In the summer, I let the kids be free to do whatever they want (screens included) until 9 AM. It lets me ease into the morning a bit and I’m a big believer that kids need slow lazy mornings too! They’ve been playing video games together in the movie room since they got up, but they’re wrapping up now. They’ve both been begging to learn some cooking and baking skills this summer, so I offer to make some of our favorite cottage cheese chocolate muffins with them. I let them lead and it’s messy and chaotic but they have a blast.

9:30

Muffins are in the oven and the kids are working on their summer checklists, so I sneak back to my office to make a few final edits on an upcoming sponsored post. I also take the time to make a few notes for this email, because if I don’t write it down I’m never gonna remember what today looked like.

After we eat our muffins I come back to the office to officially start my work day. It’s a heavy computer work day for me, so I set up my walking pad and get to work.

On my to-do list this morning is:

• Put together a few quotes for potential Disney World trips for some of my travel agent clients (Did you know I do this? Get a quote here!)

• Draft some Instagram content for next week - I push out several trial reels each day and I always try to get them prepped the week before.

• Write + schedule a blog post about our summer checklists (It went up yesterday! See it here!).

• Update an old blog post (I update one per week to help with SEO and keep old posts relevant!).

While I work, the kids are (mostly) independently working on their checklists, but they pop in from time to time to ask questions, complain about each other, or get a quick hug. It definitely slows me down, but that’s life in the summer!

11:00

I notice the kids are doing their 30 minutes of reading time, so I take a quick break from work to settle in and join them. I was reading this delightful book and also have entirely too many library books to finish in the next two weeks, so this is a good excuse to make some progress! (UPDATE: I finished that book and am on the second one. So SO SO good!)

Once their timer goes off, they head out for a walk with their dad and the dogs and I settle back in to wrap up my to-do list.

12:30

I’ve reached a good stopping point with work, and the kids have finished their checklists and are happily playing together. I decide to close my laptop for an hour or so to grab lunch, check in with my husband, and take a breather.

1:30

In an exciting turn of events, my oldest is now sick and my youngest is very upset because we had fun plans this afternoon. So, I’m managing feelings and scrambling to finish my work so I can help my husband out with the newly-formed chaos. I put a bow on the last few things I’m doing, then set aside work for the rest of the day so I can focus on the kids.

5:00

We’ve been comforting our sick buddy and hanging out and watching television for most of the afternoon and it has all blurred together a bit. In fact, when I realize it is 5:00 I panic a little and wonder where the afternoon went. Mostly, it went to zoning out and hoping J doesn’t get sick all over our bathroom (again). Corey and I watched the new I Know What You Did Last Summer while the kids hung out. I did some more work from my phone, played dumb puzzle games, and zoned out. You know, the things you do when you’ve unexpectedly entered survival mode.

Oh, and when Corey leaves to grab some gatorade and soup for our patient, I beg for a fountain drink in a styrofoam cup because that fixes everything.

5:30

Time to feed everyone dinner - we had planned on the kids cooking with Corey (they had a few recipes from a Giada De Laurentis cookbook they got from the library picked out!), but since our oldest is sick we’re doing soup and leftovers instead. I normally like to gather at the table for dinner but on days like this we all just eat wherever we’re crashed out. I make myself a margarita to go with my leftovers and Corey and I watch a documentary about Action Park (wild!!) while the kids eat in my room and watch Minions. It’s not an ideal family dinner, but it’s also our reality tonight!

7:00

G has been brushing my hair and “doing my nails” for a while now, and J has fallen asleep in our bed. I send little buddy off to the shower and head out for a walk - it’s one of my favorite summer routines to take a leisurely walk while the kids are prepping for bed. It’s always a good reset from the day! I listen to this audiobook while I take my favorite walking path near our house, and it’s one of my favorite parts of the day.

8:30

Both kids are tucked in and settling and now it’s my turn. I am wiped and ready to get some rest. I wash my face and settle into bed for the latest episode of Cape Fear with Corey (are you watching it? It’s so good!). After it’s over I spend some time reading this book and then crash around 10:00.

And that’s a day in my summer life!

I feel like every day in the summer looks a little bit different (for example, this week both kids are in camps so I actually have some alone time in the house, and they’re not doing their checklists), and that’s what keeps things interesting.

Also, if you’re worried, J is fine and has recovered from his stomach bug. And, thankfully, it didn’t hit anyone else in the house!

Weekly Favorites

• These cute little dragonflies are supposed to help deter bugs in your backyard so I’ve got ‘em everywhere.

• I don’t know how I missed this book when it was released but as soon as I heard about it, I had to have a physical copy.

• These are the best underwear of all time. Just so you know. Ordered myself a few more pairs this week and felt like I shouldn’t gatekeep.

• Our old sound machine broke so we ordered this one. We’re picky about our nighttime noise and this one is perfect.

• I’m on my second jar of these pore cleansing wipes and my super sensitive skin loves them!

• I left my favorite pair of sunglasses on a ride at Disney, so I immediately ordered a replacement pair when we got home.

• This is my second year with this simple planner and it’s my favorite. It’s organized exactly how my brain works with plenty of space for me to customize and I just adore it.

• This athletic dress is SO FLATTERING and I can’t stop reaching for it.

Have a lovely week, friends. Don’t forget to slow down and have a little fun.

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But this year? I’m thrilled that summer break has arrived. I do think part of the reason it’s easier now is the kids are older, but I also think a bigger part of it is that I’ve learned how our family likes to do summer break. We don’t do well with fully unstructured time for three months, but we also don’t do great if we’re overly scheduled and busy!

It’s taken me a lot of practice to learn how to do summer in a way that really works for all of us, and I feel like we’ve really nailed it in the last couple of years.

We spent our first week of summer on an 8-day Disney World trip (it was AMAZING!), and now that we’re home it’s time to settle in and begin some of our summer traditions and routines. Read on if you’re on the summer struggle bus and need some tips for making the most of it!

Our Summertime Essentials

I have a few things that I always make sure to have on hand year after year to make summer as seamless as possible. It’s nothing crazy or expensive, but a few little things make a big difference in the summer! Here'‘s a quick list of my essentials:

• We’re using these baskets and these wax paper liners for lunches to reduce dishes and OH MAN it’s a game-changer! I’m even using them myself and it feels like such a treat.

• I love to grab a few fresh art kits for the kids every year. It varies depending on what they’re into, but a shrink art kit is ALWAYS a winner in our house! The kids LOVE to watch them shrink in the oven and they’re always so amazed.

• My kids literally started asking for these water balloons within an hour of the last day of school releasing. I’m not kidding. It’s their favorite thing to do in the summer and I pretty much always have to have some.

• I’ve been using these reusable to do lists for the kids every summer for years now, and we all love them. They have a list of things they have to do every day to keep us active (and not on screens all day) and these checklists are KEY to making that as hands-off as possible for me!

• Summer Brain Quests are another thing I buy every summer - it goes on their checklist!! Keeps them doing some academics in the summer, which I love, and they find them to be really fun. You should’ve heard the squeals in my house when they arrived a couple of weeks ago!

• We always (always!) have bracelet kits in the house. The kids go through phases where they’ll do them for hours and hours, so I make sure they’re stocked. I can’t tell you how many bracelets I have that they’ve made me over the years.

• Last summer we played a family tournament of Mario Kart every single night before the kids went to bed and I absolutely intend to do it again this year.

• Another art supply I always have is air dry clay. The kids regularly bust this out and have the best time together! My house is littered with little creations all summer long.

• A few summers back I found this Bogg bag knockoff and it’s still going strong for us. I love it SO MUCH. See all the accessories I have for it here!

• It’s tradition for us to tie dye some shirts every year and the kids are already asking me when we’ll be doing it this year! G told me he wants to tie dye shoes and shorts and a shirt so he can have a whole outfit.

• We play card games year round but we play a ton more in the summer. This one is the current family favorite!

The Summer Bucket List

One of our favorite family traditions is creating a bucket list together every year. Typically, I have everyone in the family choose 4-5 items to add to the list, so we end up with a list that’s approximately 20 items long. We try to do a mix of free activities along with bigger activities, and it’s always so much fun!

I think one of my favorite things about this tradition is it allows us to really focus on what each kid wants to do. The things that are important to them change throughout the years, and I love knowing what is quintessentially “summer” to them each year!

You can see our 2025 summer bucket list here. I’m actually planning to make this year’s list with the kids today, so keep an eye on my Instagram stories if you want to see the big reveal!

If you need some ideas for what to put on your family’s summer bucket list, I made a list of 100+ ideas for you right here!

The YES Day

Most summers we give each of the kids a “YES” Day and it’s probably their favorite tradition out of everything we do. The gist is that we let them plan a day and we say yes to as much as we possibly can! We always set a budget and have a few basic rules in place, but it’s more or less a free for all in terms of fun!

It’s always so fun to see what kind of a day each kid plans (in our house, one is always a LOT busier than the other), and it always makes some of the most fun days of the summer.

A typical YES day for us might include extra screen time, bowling, lunch at the kids’ favorite spots, all the sweets, and last year G even talked us into a water park! We’ve gone bowling, visited arcades, gone to the movies, and played putt putt. And sometimes, it’s less about going somewhere and more about saying yes to requests like ice cream for breakfast, playing a video game with your kid, or doing their chores for them that day.

Summer Routines + Rhythms

I think one of the simplest ways to make the summer feel special is to create some traditions and routines that you can do without even thinking about it.

For example, the last few summers we have built a big fort and had a “camp out” in our living room. And, we choose one day of the week that we all go to the library together - every single week! Then, we snuggle up to read together for a while when we get home. The kids love when I get involved in their routines and checklists, and I love a built-in excuse to take a reading break!

Here are a few other free (or cheap) ideas:

• Pick a day of the week to go get gas station treats or Sonic drinks.

• Go on a nature walk and take photos of what you find.

• Declare a “Drop Everything and Read” time every afternoon.

• See if there’s a Kids Bowl Free location near you!

• Have a movie marathon (we’re doing Toy Story!)

• Bake together once every week.

• See even more fun summer activities here!

I used to hear moms rave about how much they love summer and feel so guilty - why didn’t I enjoy it? Why was it so much harder for me?! But, turns out, all I needed was to figure out what works best for our little family and let go of all the pressure.

I still have my days where things feel hard. The kids fight, I don’t get as much done as I want, and it doesn’t always feel completely magical. And that’s okay.

If you’re still in the season of “summer feels hard,” I hope this helps give you some ideas for how you can make it a little more enjoyable.

So, here’s to less pressure, more popsicles, and a summer that actually feels good. Because whatever your version of summer break is, it’s enough. Promise.

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But, alas, here we are for a few more days. I’m trying to soak up the quiet time while it lasts because come Friday my house will transform into a frat house for tiny humans until mid-August. It’s a blast but I’m already tired.

Things I’m Texting My Friends About

• These comfy black shorts are going to be a constant for me this summer! They’re the perfect length, not too tight, and will go with just about everything.

• I order a summer workbook for my kids every single year and I have since Jackson was entering kindergarten. They get so excited to do them (at least for the first few weeks of summer, haha!) and I love that it keeps them engaged in a bit of learning in the summer months.

• I gave into my old-lady tendencies and ordered a window bird feeder. It’s on my office window and the birds haven’t discovered it fully yet but I know once they get comfortable it’s going to be swarmed and I’m never going to get any work done again.

• This Dungeon Crawler Carl shirt has already climbed to the top of my most-worn clothing items. I spent weeks looking for a DCC shirt I loved and this one is perfect. I ordered a large for a super oversized fit and I can’t stop reaching for it.

• I finally installed a drip irrigation system for our raised garden beds and I LOVE IT. I can’t believe I thought it was going to be a hard project - it was one of the easiest things I’ve ever done!

• I’m seeing tons of “statement necklaces” lately and I’m loving the trend. But, I don’t have any of mine from the 2000’s anymore (bummer!), so I grabbed this chunky necklace and it is so good. It feels like a fresh take on the big necklaces we used to wear back in college!

• For the last two or three summers I’ve meant to order some of these wax paper sheets and these takeout baskets for the kids’ lunches, and I finally did it. No more stacks of dirty plates in the sink all summer long!

• After seeing someone on IG talk about them, I ordered myself a set of spin pins for my hair. They’re so easy to put in (though the technique definitely requires some practice), and they hold SO well!

• This oversized tee might be my new favorite! I’ve got a ton of colors of this other one (and I still love it!), but this new one is a bit thicker and I love the material. I’ve already got two colors of it, so I know my summer uniform!

• There’s not much I love more than a good graphic tee, and this one is perfect for summer.

• These dad sneakers are something I’ve been eyeing forever and I’ve gotten so many compliments on them already. People don’t believe me when I tell them they’re an under-$50 random brand on Amazon!

Everything I Read in May

So far 2026 has been a BIG reading year for me. Last year I set out to read 100 books and it felt like a stretch at times. This year, we’re not even halfway through and I’m already to 69. I’m not sure if it’s a sign that I’m just hiding from the world more often or what, but I’m not mad at it. Here’s everything I read (starting with the top 5!):

Book Club for Troublesome Women by Marie Bostwick - I loved this charming book about friendship, feminisim, and good books. It made me laugh, it made me tear up, and it was just such a great story!

Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee - Apparently I was into historical fiction this month?! This book follows a woman who gets a job interviewing former slaves for the Federal Writers Project, and it’s heartbreaking and powerful and such a beautiful story.

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke - This book is getting a lot of buzz right now and people seem to love it or hate it. I’m firmly in the “love it” camp. I think it was such a well-done examination of the culture of social media and the tradwife movement and I loved how the story unfolded. Remember it’s also satirical, so don’t be afraid to laugh at the ridiculousness!

Quicksilver by Callie Hart - I kept seeing this book (and the follow-up, Brimstone) everywhere and I’m not sure why I hadn’t picked it up yet. But oh boy, I’m so glad I did! This book captured me from page one and if you’re a fan of the romantasy genre, it’s an absolute must-read.

Carrie Soto is Back by Taylor Jenkins Reid - I haven’t read a TJR book that didn’t completely captivate me, and this one was no exception. I think this might be the most under-rated of her books - I hadn’t heard much about it before I dove in, but it was so, so good! Carrie is a complicated narrator, which I LOVE, and you’ll find yourself cheering for her despite how you also sometimes want to throttle her.

I also read…

• The Intruder by Freida McFadden - I love a Freida McFadden book. They’re quick and easy to read, they’re fun, and they feel kind of like candy. This one was no different!

• The House of My Mother by Shari Franke - I read this right after Yesteryear, and it was kind of a chilling combo to read one after the other! Shari has led such a challenging and surreal life, and I’m glad she told her story.

• A Parade of Horribles by Matt Dinniman - OF COURSE I read the newest DCC book. Delightful. Intense. Hilarious. 11/10.

• Dear Debbie by Freida McFadden - This felt a little different from the typical McFadden book but it was SO fun and over-the-top and I loved it.

• Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino - WHAT A WILD STORY! I told Corey I had heard it was twisty and I kept waiting for a “big reveal” and it was less that and more that it just get increasingly more and more unhinged. Loved it so much.

• Yellowface by R.F. Kuang - This book was so anxiety-inducing and I couldn’t put it down. It takes a shot at examining some really complex themes (racism, social media and cancel culture, cultural appropriation, and more) and it was fascinating and compelling and made me feel so many feelings.

• Nowhere by Allison Gunn - Creepy and intriguing! Not my favorite book, but I enjoyed it and I think it would be a really fun read during spooky season!

• Scythe by Neal Shusterman - I’m not actually done with this one yet but at the rate I’m going I will easily finish before the end of the month. It absolutely hooked me from the first sentence and I am LOVING IT.

Don’t Tell Anyone But…

I painted the trim on my little patio!! I’m still pulling together photos and video (and we leave next week for family vacation, so it’ll have to wait until after), but it turned out so so good and I can’t wait to share!

Tiny Joys from May

• Taking long walks every chance I get.

• I slept in until 9:45 one day and I don’t think I’ve done that since college!

• J had an “end of the year” party, and hearing him laugh for hours with his friends brought my soul so much joy.

• Made these s’mores bars and they were SO GOOD!

• Spending time working outside!

• Walks to the library for new books.

On Just Saying YES

I’m not naturally a “yes” mom. I’m naturally a “I’m tired” mom, or a “Do we have to?” mom. I hate to admit it, but when my kids as for something (like going to the park, baking cookies, playing a game, or making a mess), my default answer is “not right now”. But, lately, I’m working to change that. If I can say yes, I’m trying to say yes. And honestly, it is delightful. We’re playing more games, taking more walks, and eating more sweets.

Sure, sometimes I still have to say no. That’s part of being a parent. But I’m trying to build in a bit more of a gap between the ask and my answer so I can think about if a no is really necessary. And, often, it isn’t.

It’s during seasons like this that I find myself leaning in really hard to the things I know work to keep me feeling stable. It’s a lot of the boring stuff - you know, staying hydrated, getting good sleep, blah blah blah. But it’s also a little bit about just finding what feels great and doing more of it. I call it “chasing joy” and the busier or more stressful life gets, the more I try to do it.

So today, I’m sharing a few ways I’ve been chasing joy lately.

10,000 Things

I’ve shared the concept of a 10,000 things list before but it’s been a while. It was mentioned in this book (which I loved!) and it’s basically a form of gratitude journaling. I started a list on my phone and every day (or, let’s be honest, every few days) I add 3-5 things to the list that I’m grateful for.

The beauty of a list like this is that since you’re continually adding to it, you have to go deep. You run out of the basics like “my kids” or “my house” pretty quickly, and then you get to the good part.

Here’s an example of a few things I’ve jotted down on my list lately:

• Belly laughs with friends around our dining room table.

• The sound of the rain when I’m working in my office.

• Watching G run to me when I pick him up from school.

• Long chats about nothing and everything with J in his bed in the evening.

When I’m having a hard day, I go back and scroll through my list and it reminds me how many wonderful things we’re surrounded by.

Another way I love to do this is by snapping photos of the moments/sights that make me smile. Create an album on your phone and flip through it when you need a pick-me-up!

Yoga + Walks

Over the last few weeks I’ve been challenging myself to do a yoga video every day (or as close to it as I can). Most of the time it’s just a 15-20 minute video, so it’s not a huge time commitment. I typically don’t even change out of whatever I’m wearing that day - I just find a break in my schedule and go for it.

It has honestly been one of the best things I’ve done for myself in a long time. It feels so good to stretch my body a little bit every day, and it’s great practice for me to just slow down and do something for myself in the middle of the day. I’m quickly approaching the end of the 30 day challenge I gave myself, and I’m hopeful I’ll keep it up, because I’ve really been loving it.

Documentaries

Corey and I have been on a documentary kick lately and it’s been so fun. I’ve always been a huge documentary fan (especially a true crime one) but it’s never been his thing. Recently, though, he’s been just as into them as I am and I’ve been taking advantage!

A few great ones we’ve watched lately (all on Netflix):

• Trust Me: The False Prophet

• Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer

• My Octopus Teacher

• Secret Mall Apartment

• Waco: American Apocalypse

• Our Oceans

What are your favorite documentaries?

Post-Dinner Card Games

Our kids are at really great ages for playing games as a family, and it’s one of my very favorite things to do together. Some nights we’re all too wiped and end up piled on the couch watching Doctor Who or Family Matters, but when we’re up for it, we love a good game before bedtime.

The keys to a good weeknight family game are that it needs to be fun for everyone (not just the kids), it needs to be easy to chat while you play, and it needs to be a relatively short game because none of us have time or energy to sit for an hour or two on a Tuesday night for a game.

Our most-frequently-reached-for games are:

• Skyjo

• Rack-O

• Uno

• Flip7

• Five Crowns (we just play a few rounds most of the time)

• Tenzi

If we have a little more time, we also love:

• Yahtzee

• Marbles

• Mexican Train Dominos

Finding My Style

As I get older I find myself spending more and more time thinking about clothes and how I want to dress. I want to be a mom who looks stylish and put together, but I also don’t have the time, energy, or budget to spend a ton of effort on making that happen. In addition to that, I’ve learned I feel the most me in an oversized tee, athletic shorts, and sneakers. It’s just who I am in my soul.

I’m learning not to fight that and just lean into what feels like ME. It’s taking me a little longer to get dressed some days, but I’m making an effort not to spend the day in an outfit that I don’t feel great in. Sometimes that means I throw in the towel after 4 outfit changes and go back to my old faithful (see above, haha) but I’m learning a little bit every day and it’s been fun to stretch myself in this way!

It might be a little things, but finding joy in my clothes and accessories makes the entire day feel a little bit better.

See what I’m wearing lately right here!

A Good Candle

There aren’t many things that feel better to my nervous system than a really great candle burning while I’m working or cleaning or reading a book. There’s something really calming about it, and I’ve learned to stop trying to save my “good candles” for company or a big day. I burn them daily and I soak up every second!

Current favorites are:

• This Blackberry Absinthe candle is my go-to when I’m working and need to focus

• I light Sun Kissed Citrus most days when I’m hanging out and prepping dinner.

• Pineapple Coconut is my favorite summer scent and I tend to hoard as many of them as I can.

Non-Denim Summer Shorts

In the last few summers I’ve really been leaning into finding non-denim options for shorts. Here are a few of my favorites that I tend to wear on repeat. See them all here!

I’ll start wearing clothes I love once I lose that weight.

I’ll spend time working on my house once I have the budget to replace the floors.

I’ll slow down and take care of myself more once the kids are a little more independent.

I think I first started thinking about it the day that I shared a video on Instagram of me working while walking on my walking pad (aka: my best friend). I received a message where someone shared feeling inspired to see me walking in my regular clothes. I hadn’t changed into anything special to move my body - I just did it in what I was wearing.

That message has replayed over and over again in my head as I’ve received more similar ones over the last few months. I mentioned recently that I had done yoga in jeans one day because I just wanted to get it done and I knew that if I had to change, it would never happen. I received a flood of messages from people talking about how impactful it is to realize you don’t have to change into workout clothes to move your body or put these arbitrary rules in place to do the things you want.

Sometimes we get in our own way. Isn’t it actually better to do the thing imperfectly than not do it at all?

Ever since then, I’ve been thinking about what else we make a little harder than it needs to be. What nonsensical rules have I placed on myself that stop me from my goals? How am I getting in my own way?

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I’m tired, and it’s not even May yet, y’all!

But, more than perhaps ever before I am really looking forward to summer with my kids. The older they get, the more fun we have in the summers (and the less work it feels like for me). I’m looking forward to lazy mornings and ice cream dates and movies in the backyard and long afternoons playing our favorite game on repeat.

We might still have a month left of school, but if April is any indication, it’s going to absolutely fly by so I guess we’d all better prep ourselves.

In addition to all the life chaos, I’ve been in full-blown project mode lately. I finished up the dresser nook in our bedroom, added some outdoor furniture to the backyard, and started prepping garden beds, planning a big trellis for the side of the house, prepping to paint my office, and made some plans for a back patio makeover.

It’s a lot. But I’m loving it! It feels so good to be experiencing the first spring in our new home, and it feels like things are just brimming with possibilities and potential and excitement.

Oh, and we’ve got 33 days until our next family Disney World trip - but who’s counting?!

Things I’m Texting My Friends About

• I finally spruced up our front porch for spring with some faux flowers, and these pink ones are so bright and so pretty!

• This little outdoor storage cabinet is perfect for our patio. It holds some of our stuff for outdoor dining and keeps it clean, it’s a great place to drop food we’re serving, and it makes the patio feel a lot cozier.

• I wanted a fresh end-of-the-bed blanket for our room now that it’s painted, and I grabbed this one. It’s PERFECT, and really brings things together.

• We snagged this set of two outdoor fans to put on either side of the patio and they’re so great. They’re nice and powerful so they help keep bugs away and they’ll keep us cool outside all summer long!

• I was organizing my makeup drawer and wanted a pretty drawer liner, and this one fit the bill perfectly. I used it in the kitchen, too, and I love it so much.

• Everyone’s been wearing statement necklaces again and I’m not quite ready to fully commit but I did grab this cute one and I’ve been wearing it several times a week!

• This set of 3 cordless lamps is perfect for our yard. I’ve been moving them all over the place for when we want a cozy vibe, and they work great. The charge holds for a nice, long time, too!

• I paired these with the pink flowers for the porch and they’re my absolute favorite. I also have them in yellow (I use those in the fall) and they’re probably my favorite faux outdoor flowers I have.

• G has been begging for a hammock so I grabbed this super affordable one and the kids have been using it like crazy! I haven’t managed to nap in it yet but I promise it’s coming.

• And finally, I became obsessed with boxer-style shorts last summer and these are my newest addition. They’re so comfortable and look so cute with just about anything.

Everything I Read in April

I did a lot more audiobooks than “eyeball” books this month, largely because it’s just what I had time for! I didn’t get in as much physical reading this month as I wanted to, but I’m confident that as we head towards the summer I’ll be able to prioritize it a little better - especially because I have a few books I’m dying to get started on.

This month I read…

The Academy (Elin Hilderbrand) - I put myself on the wait list for this book at my library back in October and I finally got it. I’m a huge fan of pretty much all of Elin Hilderbrand’s books, so I knew I’d love it, and it didn’t disappoint!

The Butcher’s Masquerade, The Eye of the Bedlam Bride, and This Inevitable Ruin (Matt Dinniman) - I’m all caught up on the Dungeon Crawler Carl book series and eagerly waiting for the next book to come out! I have loved this series so much more than I thought I would, and Corey has been listening to it as well which has been a really fun thing for us to bond over!

Lady Tremaine (Rachel Hochhauser) - I love, love, loved this retelling of Cinderella from the point of view of her stepmother. It’s a tad slow at first but once it gets going, it’s impossible to put down. The ending had my jaw on the floor and I still can’t stop thinking about it.

We Live Here Now (Sarah Pinborough) - I didn’t realize until after I finished it that this book is by the same woman who wrote Behind Her Eyes, which I also loved. I devoured this book over the course of one lazy Sunday and it was SO GOOD.

Project Hail Mary (Andy Weir) - I went into this book blind (as I do most books these days) and I was just so incredibly delighted by it. I’m dying to go see the movie now, but Corey wants to read it first so I have to wait for him to catch up. The audiobook of this was so great, and I just loved every minute of it. I laughed, I cried…can’t recommend it enough.

I also read…

• That’s a Great Question, I’d Love to Tell You (Elyse Myers) - Delightful, as expected. Do the audiobook if you want to hear her read it!

• The Book Eaters (Sunyi Dean) - Didn’t love it quite as much as I hoped I would, but it’s such an interesting concept and it certainly kept me on my toes. It was good!

• The War of Two Queens (Jennifer L. Armentrout) - I just cannot get into this series. I’ve tried twice now and it’s time for me to call it quits. I know a lot of romantasy fans swear it’s one of the best, but it is just not for me.

• The 100 (Kass Morgan) - Can’t believe I’ve never read this one! I flew through it and I think it’s one that J would really enjoy as well.

• The Fifth Season (N.K. Jemisin) - I had a hard time following this one at times (it’s dense!), but I really enjoyed the storyline! I think I’ll have to keep going in the series, because now I need to know what’s going to happen!

• Shield of Sparrows (Devney Perry) - I read this one last year but I’ve read a lot of books since then and the new one just came out. So, I’m wrapping up a re-read while I wait for the second book to be available from my library. If you’re a romantasy fan, it’s a must-read!

A Little Sneak Peek

Corey has been dreaming of a big ol’ garden in our backyard, so this past weekend I set up some raised beds so we can get started! I still need to fill them up (why do I always underestimate how big of a job that is?!) but I’m really excited - we’ve got the perfect corner for it in the back of the yard, and I’m passing most of the responsibility over to Corey so I don’t have to stress about accidentally killing everything.

Tiny Joys From April

• G made a Disney countdown for his door, and it just brings me so much joy to see his excitement for our upcoming trip!

• Going on a crime documentary deep dive with Corey. We watched a bunch this month!

• Getting in the habit of doing yoga every day (or close to it) has felt so good.

• Girls’ nights full of laughing until we cry, vulnerable chats, and good food.

• Going to the movies (went to see The Drama and LOVED ITTTTT)

• Hours (upon hours) of pressure washing.

Games We’re Loving Lately

• We’ve been playing Skyjo multiple times a week after dinner, and I honestly don’t think it gets old! It’s so easy to learn, really addictive, and doesn’t take a ton of time. My favorite combo!

• The boys have been playing this a bunch in the evenings. I’ll never like this game, but hearing them shout and laugh while they play makes me so happy.

• It’s been a while since we picked up this family favorite but we played a few rounds over the weekend and I’m hooked again.

• G wanted to learn this game and so we played it with my parents one day. It’s a classic that I love, even if it takes forever and a day to actually finish.

High, Low, Buffalo

Every night when we’re gathered around the dinner table, we ask each other about our “high, low, and buffalo”. I’m honestly not even sure what “buffalo” means, but one of the teenagers in J’s church group taught it to him and it stuck.

The idea is, everyone shares a great thing that happened that day, something not-so-great that happened, and ends with something interesting or unusual for their day. Sometimes we share a fact or joke we heard that day, sometimes it’s something random we saw or did, and sometimes it’s just a random funny story from our day. I always love hearing what the kids choose for their “buffalo”!

Do you have any family dinner traditions?

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Don’t get me wrong - I love creating a beautiful home! DIY projects will always be my favorite way to stretch my creativity and there’s nothing I love more than taking a room that doesn’t fit us and giving it a good old fashioned makeover.

But!

What’s even more important than all that is creating a home that feels good. A home that feels like a hug when you walk in the door at the end of a long day. A home that nurtures your family and feels cozy and relaxing at 8 PM on a Tuesday when everyone is settling in for the night.

I’d take a dated, unaesthetic house that checks all of those boxes over a “perfect” home that stresses me out any day of the week.

This might be an unpopular opinion, but I think that we spend too much time trying to fix our homes and not enough time learning how to love our homes exactly as they are.

I feel a huge difference in my satisfaction in my home when I slow down to find the things I love about it and not just the things I want to change.

Sure, eventually I’d love to deal with the popcorn ceilings and the dated light fixtures and the tile floor.

But for now? I’d much rather focus on the way the light hits the hallway in the midafternoon. Or how cozy the living room feels when the sun goes down. Or the sound of the rain from my office. None of those spaces are even close to “finished”, but that doesn’t stop them from being spaces I love being in.

I recently was working on my back patio and found myself quickly spiraling into “perfection” thinking. In the span of about 10 minutes I mentally added at least 15 different projects to my to-do list that I needed to do before the space was “good enough”. But then, I paused and noticed how cozy it felt in that moment. How, despite the too-low ceiling and dated lights and rough-looking concrete, it’s an incredible space for our family to gather - exactly as it is.

I’ll probably still do the projects. But suddenly, they didn’t feel quite so pressing.

And I’d even argue that some things in your house aren’t even worth “fixing”.

Houses, like people, have quirks. And that’s okay. That off-center doorway or the weird textured walls or the oddly-placed pantry - maybe instead of looking at them as something that detracts from your house, you could look at them as something that adds character.

If something in your home doesn’t actively bother you, make your life more difficult, or affect the joy you feel in your home, then maybe you should let go of the pressure to “fix” it just because you think you should.

The perfect houses we see online don’t always alight with real life. And not only that, chasing a perfect house is exhausting.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and frustrated in your home and thinking you could use a little less pressure and a little more love for your home, here are a few things to try:

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And, if I’m being really honest, it hasn’t really felt like there was all that much to celebrate so far.

The news cycle is dismal, everything costs a bazillion dollars, and things just feel hard. But, as I’ve been reflecting on the year I reminded myself that I still have plenty to celebrate - and plenty to work towards.

So, I made a little system for myself (as one does).

I think I struggle to celebrate as much as I’d like to for two reasons. One, I don’t give myself permission to acknowledge an accomplishment or milestone. I’m always looking to the next thing (and the next and the next), so I don’t pause to recognize that the little things matter.

And two, I don’t always know how to celebrate. As much as I’d love to get a massage or go for a pedicure every time I want to celebrate a milestone, I know myself well enough to know that needing to spend a bunch of money is just gonna deter me from doing the thing. I’m a cheapskate and don’t like spending money on myself, so something that feels big or expensive to me is less likely to actually happen.

So! I made a list of free or low-cost ways to celebrate milestones and achievements. Nothing costs more than $20. I wrote them all on a bunch of slips of paper, and I tossed them into a cute pitcher in my office.

Now, each time I have something to celebrate, I’m going to pull out a slip of paper and do the thing. No excuses. I have to celebrate!

I’m also planning to make a list of reasons to celebrate and keep it where I can see it. No more “is this big enough for a celebration?” - I’m committing to recognizing the good things. Because lord knows we all need more of ‘em.

If you’re curious, here’s the full list:

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We have so many ideas for our home, but we’re not actually doing anything.

And sure, inspiration is a very important part of creating a home you love. You need to know where you’re heading in order to actually make progress!

But, a while back I discovered that a really simple mindset shift makes all the difference for me when it comes to not only making progress in my home, but also learning to love it in the messy middle.

Start Where You Are

Instead of looking ahead to the dream home that feels almost unattainable, take a step back and look at the home you have right now.

It might sound counterintuitive, but I’d argue that learning how to make progress in your home starts with learning how to love your home exactly how it is.

Take note of that patch of sunlight that hits the kitchen every morning and warms your toes.

Appreciate the feeling of sinking into your bed after a long day.

Pause to soak up the laughter that fills the halls when your kids are playing.

When you note all of the things you love about your home, you can slowly amplify those things and quiet all the stuff you don’t love as much. One small step at a time.

I think we’re so inundated with before-and-after shows, big renovations, and sweeping makeovers that it’s hard to remember that the little things matter too. And sometimes, they matter even more!

What Does This Actually Look Like?

This sounds lovely in theory, I know, but you might be wondering how to actually put it into practice. Let me give you some examples.

• Spend some time in one room of your house and make a list of all the things you love in it. Then, next to each item write down a few ways you can translate that feeling/vibe/favorite thing into another space in your home.

• For one week, try to jot down 2-3 things you love about your home every single day.

• The next time you’re itching to redecorate your entire living room, try doing some shopping for one item. Be thoughtful and intentional. Pick out one new serving dish, or a vase, or even just some fresh flowers. Take your time with it and find something you love. Notice what a difference that one small item makes in your home.

• Spend half an hour re-styling a shelf or a table using things you already have in your home.

• Rearrange a room, or bring a small piece of furniture or a lamp to a new spot.

The more time you spend tweaking and zhuzhing and loving your home, the more you’ll find that you actually already love your home.

And it’s a bit of a chain effect - when you love your home, you’ll naturally want to pour some effort into it. And when you start making small changes, one at a time, you’ll soon realize that real progress is being made.

Try it this week and let me know how it goes! ❤️

Want More Tips on Loving Your Home?

I just released my new guide to getting un-stuck, finding your style, and making REAL progress in your home. It’s called The Almost-Perfect Home, and if this post resonated with you, I think you’ll love it. Get more information right here!

Weekly Favorites

• I ordered these containers and this drawer liner to finally organize my makeup drawer and I’m over-the-moon excited about it.

• Can’t stop reaching for this cozy oversized denim jacket.

• My favorite Disney socks are on sale. I get so many compliments every time I wear them!

• This is my new favorite spring dress. I just need somewhere to wear it!

• Started this book and I can’t stop thinking about it.

• This arrives to my house on Saturday and I am COUNTING DOWN THE MINUTES.

I’ve always heard that time seems to speed up a bit as you get older, and I’m finding that to be so true. Every few days I find myself looking down at my kids and wondering how they went from tiny babies to these big, gangly, sweaty boys.

Despite the fact that I feel a little like I’m holding on for dear life as 2026 runs away from me, I’ve been doing my best to soak up every second of spring so far. The chirping birds and the squirrels barreling across my roof and aaaall the flowers in bloom. It kinda feels like magic.

A few highlights from the week include:

• Seeing both kids get featured in our district’s art show over the weekend.

• Taking long walks while listening to book 5 of Dungeon Crawler Carl

• Lazy afternoons working on one of these puzzles with both boys and hearing someone exclaim over how cute it is every few minutes.

• Corey made the most delicious homemade gumbo on Sunday and the smell of it filling the house all day was pure heaven.

• Late nights reading this book series aloud with Corey and agreeing on “one more chapter” before we go to sleep.

What I’m Reading Right Now:

I have to confess that I’m reading entirely too many books at once right now. I usually have a couple going (an audiobook and one I’m reading with my eyes), but I had a few come up from the library at the same time plus I’m reading with both Corey and Jackson and, well, it’s gotten a tad out of control. Here’s everything I’m actively reading right now:

• Dungeon Crawler Carl (book 5): I’ve been blasting through these audiobooks for a bit now and I can’t stop telling everyone I know to listen. They’re funny and silly and over the top and so addictive. There are 7 books right now (the next one comes out in May!) and I don’t know what I’ll do with myself once I catch up.

• Lady Tremaine: I’ve had this book sitting on my nightstand for a while but kept putting it off for library books. I was dying to read it so I finally decided to just start. It’s so good and I’m absolutely hooked, even though I’m only a few chapters in.

• The Academy: I had been on the wait list for this one on Libby since October when I finally got it last week! I’m flying through it and loving it, as I do all books by this author!

• Barking to the Choir: I had a friend recommend this book to me, and it’s such a compelling and interesting story. I’ve been picking it up when I only have a few minutes to read here and there and it’s just so heartwarming and encouraging.

• Throne of Glass (book 4): Corey and I are reading this series together and having so so much fun. It’s not my first time reading it, but I love a good re-read!

• Maze Runner: This is was my oldest son and I are reading together, and we’re almost done with the first book. We’re so excited to watch the movie when we finish, he’s been really enjoying the book!

Phew! Hopefully by next week I’ll have crossed a few of these off the list and will be back to a more reasonable number of books.

Things I Can’t Shut Up About:

• I love a good dress this time of year and I recently got this one (in green) and this one. The quality is fantastic, they’re so flattering, and I want to wear them everywhere.

• Everyone on Instagram convinced me to try these pore-reducing pads and so far I’m a huge fan! My skin feels tighter and smoother after just a few days of use, so I’m excited to see what they do over time.

• I was also influenced to order one of these from Instagram. It arrives today so I can’t speak to it yet, but if everyone who has been raving about it is even half right, it’ll be well worth the $10.

• Snagged this striped tee during the Amazon Spring Sale and I love the fit and the color. I can already tell it’ll be one I end up with in multiple colors. Also, this one!

• I got these lamps in black for my bedroom and I was really skeptical (the price!), but they’re really cute and well-made!

What I’m Working On:

I often get asked what project I’m currently working on and what’s on the horizon. So, let’s dig into what’s happening around here lately!

• I just finished painting our bedroom (I’m in love!) and I have a few more updates I want to do in there. I’m starting with some fresh lighting, and then tackling the built-in dresser situation - it’s SO dated and I think updating it will make a huge difference.

• I’m also planning to swap out the doors in our bedroom, paint the closet doors, and swap out all the door knobs on the doors I’ve replaced so far!

• I’ve been doing some planting - roses on the side of the house and ivy in the bed by my office. Instagram scared me when y’all freaked out that I was planting English Ivy (it’s super invasive!) but I feel confident that it’s gonna work out fine.

• I am hoping to take on a few other backyard updates this month - I would love to get the patio off my office looking a little nicer, and I just got a new rug for under the outdoor table!

How Do You Decide What Project to Tackle Next?

This might be the question I get asked more than anything else - both online and in real life. When your home has a million different projects waiting for you, how do you decide what gets your time (and what to ignore for now)?!

This has never felt overwhelming for me because I’ve always followed a few really simple rules. They’re nothing groundbreaking, but they work every time. And today I’m spilling the secret.

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