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As we close to the top of summer season 2023, I’ve been reflecting quite a bit on what these previous few months have meant to me. The large factor this summer season has proven me is that it’s attainable to be going by way of a tough, making an attempt interval and nonetheless discover a lot pleasure. It’s proven me that two issues can exist on the identical time. This realization has given me a variety of confidence as I face what it means to become old—to have extra tasks and extra issues to fret about.
Even when a worst-case situation occurs, I do know I nonetheless have so many great issues to be pleased about. Lots of that is due to privilege, but a variety of it has come from making the selection to not quit on the elements of life that matter most to me just because I’m consumed by concern. I may be afraid and nonetheless stand up daily, transfer ahead, and reside life as absolutely as attainable.
At this time I’m recapping this summer season of transformation and sharing what the previous few months have appeared like in my life.
June
June was a very busy month. I did my greatest to assist my children as faculty ended they usually moved into their summer season routines, whereas additionally making an attempt to navigate the ups and downs that got here with transitioning my enterprise and shutting a giant chapter with my staff.
I felt actually numb all through a variety of this month. In the midst of June, we made the announcement that Wit & Delight can be evolving into a brand new chapter, and I had a full-on breakdown. I’ve by no means been extra scared. I had some actually tough conversations and I discovered that the one factor you are able to do when issues break down like that’s to have grace for everybody concerned. This time interval felt like an ego loss of life.
As I attempted to navigate by way of the modifications, I discovered intervals of pleasure within the in-between moments. On June 9, Joe and I went with just a few buddies to Chicago for the Useless & Firm live performance. I loved time in our new entrance yard. I introduced the 9 Pines design venture—one thing I’m so excited to be engaged on.
All through the month, I spent loads of time exterior. I went to dinner events with buddies, together with a beautiful dinner hosted by Brooke Faudree. I walked so many miles and performed a variety of tennis. Our household had a pizza night time at a close-by pizza farm. We went to the pool a ton. I ran within the rain with the children. We celebrated Joe as he began a brand new job.
July
July kicked off with an prolonged household trip in Hilton Head. I assumed happening trip was going to imply I might absolutely unwind, however this was not the truth. I used to be confronted with a variety of triggers from relations—one thing that was nobody’s fault. We simply fall into previous patterns typically. I felt a variety of my success fall into query due to the alternatives I had made in June. I questioned my capability to do that subsequent section alone. I considered getting a company job and setting this house apart solely. It was a complete “Who am I?” second.
This month, I began to get actually nervous about the entire modifications I’d made with Wit & Delight. Summer season has all the time been a very sluggish time when it comes to incoming alternatives, however I didn’t know what this slowness would really really feel like this 12 months. The clever a part of me knew these modifications wanted to occur however my ego undoubtedly didn’t take the quiet nicely. It was humbling, however one thing I wanted to face and begin to course of.
Amid all of this reflection and doubt, there have been some great highlights. I took some unbelievable morning walks at dawn. When Joe was out of city for work, I took the children out for pizza and ice cream. It felt actually significant to share these candy little moments with them.
I discovered the virtues of wide-leg slouchy trousers and located the proper little black gown, which I’ve worn 4 instances already. I made my favourite potato salad recipe. I watched all of Wimbledon and noticed the Barbie film—even with the entire hype main as much as it, I used to be nonetheless blown away. I learn Her Physique and Different Events by Carmen Maria Machado. It’s my favourite e-book I’ve learn this 12 months to date. Her writing reignited the starvation in me to precise myself by way of phrases once more.
On July 9, I went to certainly one of my favourite eating places, Myriel, to have a good time their second anniversary. The meals was scrumptious and the house was lovely as all the time. On July 16, the celebrations continued as we threw August an epic seventh party within the yard.
On the work entrance, I acquired the entire new Wit & Delight planners I designed for 2024. It was so enjoyable to see them in individual after the lengthy design course of. They’ll be that can be purchased beginning this fall! I additionally finalized a variety of design particulars for the 9 Pines venture and shared some colourful design updates in our basement household room.
On the finish of July, we went as much as Lutsen for our annual journey with Joe’s aspect of the household. I had the perfect sandwich on the drive up at Northern Waters Smokehaus. We ate numerous good meals and spent loads of time exterior. Yearly, I admire the simplicity of this journey increasingly more.
August
In August, readability started to emerge for me round the place I’m at with work and the content material I wish to create, significantly because it pertains to my publication, Home Name. I discovered myself feeling extra enthusiastic about what’s to return and discovering it simpler to get right into a circulate state with work.
On August 1, I went to Goodwill and located an incredible set of canary yellow dishes. I’m so excited to entertain with them on numerous events to return. Talking of entertaining… I additionally launched a line of tabletop linens this month! I love how the entire patterned items turned out. You’ll be able to store them now by way of September 13 on Etsy.
This month, we had just a few epic afternoon thunderstorms and I beloved each second. Attending to expertise the combo of thunderstorms and beautiful, sunny summer season days has been actually particular. I’m so grateful to have a mind that may entry such delight for either side of the spectrum.
On August 7, Birdie had surgical procedure to take away her tonsils and adenoids. The surgical procedure went nicely however the restoration was considerably tough. After every week or so, she was feeling so a lot better, and her respiration and sleeping improved dramatically in comparison with pre-surgery.
On the studying entrance, I dove into Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and beloved it a lot. I’ve discovered fantasy books to be such a constructive escape for me in instances once I’m feeling adrift. It’s a lighter method to assist me by way of tough instances.
I performed tennis extra days of the week than not. The method of studying to play tennis has taught me quite a bit about how one can have a extra trusting relationship with my physique. It’s taught me to stay calm, even in always altering circumstances, and to belief that I’ll know how one can react. On the court docket and off, I’ve been studying a variety of classes by way of the act of not giving up.
This summer season has felt completely different than summers previous. I’ve that twinge of melancholy that comes with the back-to-school season, but additionally a way of aid to be shifting on.
This summer season has felt completely different than summers previous. I’ve that twinge of melancholy that comes with the back-to-school season, but additionally a way of aid to be shifting on. Issues felt slower, heavier, and tougher than traditional by way of a lot of the season. I stored interested by how I wanted to be in this house, not run away from it. Ultimately, I feel it was an actual reward to take issues slower and never attempt to numb the difficult mixture of happiness and disappointment that drummed by way of the background of all our enjoyable summer season moments. I may be in the midst of a very difficult time and nonetheless discover methods to convey pleasure to my life. I’m so grateful for that lesson.
Editor’s Observe: This text comprises affiliate hyperlinks. Wit & Delight makes use of affiliate hyperlinks as a income to fund the operations of the enterprise and to be much less depending on branded content material. Wit & Delight stands behind all product suggestions. Nonetheless have questions on these hyperlinks or our course of? Be happy to e-mail us.
Kate is the founding father of Wit & Delight. She is presently studying how one can play tennis and is eternally testing the boundaries of her inventive muscle. Observe her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.
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