As the school year wraps up and the days get longer, I’m feeling a strong pull toward slower, unstructured days. I can’t wait to stroll farmer markets again, have impromptu picnics in the park, sip iced tea on our front porch, and spend long afternoons poolside with my kids. Of course, there will be plenty of drudgery mixed in - having little kids home all day - for months on end - is hard. Sometimes, it can feel brutal. But, it’s also a huge blessing, and I’m acutely aware (to an actual fault) of how quickly these magical years ago by. So, if I seem more absent on social media/online, it’s because I’ve been feeling increasingly called to turn my time and energy to my family and spending my time very intentionally on what fills me up most.
That’s not to say that my career isn’t fulfilling - I love what I do, and my message about food and its impact on our health/the planet feels increasingly essential - but, if I’m being honest, I am really struggling with finding the time to do it all. I mention this because it’s easy to look online and wonder how people - especially moms - can work a full job, be fully available and present for their kids/loved ones, maintain a home, take care of their own needs and be happy. They can’t and they aren’t. Something always has to give - whether it be outsourcing childcare, working less, and/or totally neglecting yourself. Anyone who tries to portray a life where they’re doing everything, happily, is sending a dangerous message that will only set their audience up for failure. I am really tired of scrolling Instagram and looking at the immaculate homes of home-school moms who are cooking everything from scratch and hosting magazine-worthy dinner parties and going on dates with their spouse and crafting with their kids and never yelling and, oh, also running a thriving business. Just…stop. It’s not real. And I’m not buying it anymore…neither should you!
So, I’m trying to prioritize in my own life, and that means less time to do the things that aren’t at the tippy top of my list. In this season, I’m very OK with that. It comes at a cost, but so do all of our choices. We all have to just do the best we can and embrace our humanity and realize that no one is doing it all perfectly. I think once we can finally let go of this notion that we’re capable of doing more, more more, we can actually slow down and enjoy what’s right in front of us. There is so much peace in letting go of our self-imposed expectations.
Phew…now that I’ve got that off my chest, here’s what I’m into lately:
I’m going on a long-awaited trip to Italy soon and have been searching high and low for sandals that are leather free, comfy and not totally hideous (a tall order, trust me). I found these and really like them!
This report on the impacts of social media on children (a “profound risk of harm”) is really terrifying.
I read an article in a travel magazine recently that highlighted this wilderness tour company and it’s now #1 on my travel bucket list.
This is my favorite non-alcoholic beverage of late - every flavor is so delicious and I swear it has a mellowing effect. I also love that there’s no added sugar or artificial flavors.
It’s true. Anything Can Be Pesto.
A mom friend of mine was recently raving about the new Brazil Nut Body Butter at Trader Joe’s, so of course I had to investigate. I picked up a tub and it’s as good as I was told; per the TJ’s website, it smells like caramel, pistachio, vanilla and coconut - I know! Ridiculous!
Ugh, so much yes. I also kills me to see the momfluencers who project the illusion of "having it all" and "being it all" when it is obviously not humanly possible lol