I accidentally took a month off from this series (so sorry, February!) because January was delayed with the move and then I kept meaning to write about February but before I knew it, March came and went and now here we are in April! It’s a shame because I really do like to look back and process the ups and downs of weeks and months past, so I’ll do my best to include February and March here.
WORD OF THE WEEK | Ground. Since we’ve been back In the city I’m trying to ground myself in actitivities, habits and things that really fill my cup. For the most part, I’m learning that I need less in my life. Moving was such an amazing opportunity to revisit, evaluate and refresh, both in terms of our stuff and how I spend my time. Obviously this is an ongoing process, but I keep coming back to this word and this concept and I think there’s a reason for it!
LOOKING BACK | For the most part, the past two months have been focused on getting settled. Our apartment is slowly but surely coming together, and it’s been so fun to do see things transform! I’ll definitely be sharing more of the decorating process and spaces as they transform!
ONE THING I LEARNED | Speaking of spaces, decorating our apartment has made me realize that I really, truly love to be at home – rental or not. I’m a homebody at heart, and I used to hold off on doing anything in our apartment because “it was just a rental” and not our “permanent home”. In hindsight, I can see that that mindset left me really stressed and sad, unable to truly enjoy in the present. By embracing our current apartment and investing in it – both by purchasing things we love and will have forever and focusing on this and only this – we’re really settling and loving exactly where we are. And that has translated to other areas of my life, too. Before COVID, I was a planner, and I was always looking ahead to the next thing. Where will we eventually live? How many kids will we have? Let’s wait to do x, y or z until we hit this milestone or marker or who knows what. But between COVID and, truthfully, our fertility journey and C getting a new job in a different state, I’ve realized that sometimes you just can’t plan! And while that can be scary for a Type A control freak like me, I’ve started leaning into it. As a result, I can honestly say that I’m really enjoying living in the moment and feel far less stressed about things that I cannot control.
ONE THING I’M PROUD OF | I started moving my body again! Between physical therapy, walks with Bruce and re-starting Melissa Wood Health again (albiet once or twice a week), I’m trying to get at least a daily dose of movement. I don’t feel pressure to make it something fancy, but I do notice that getting out and about helps my anxiety and stress levels tremendously so it’s definitely worth it for me.
WHAT I’M EXCITED FOR | SPRING! Oh my god I honestly don’t think I’ve ever been so excited for a season! I feel like this time of year I’m always ready to say buh-bye to the cold but this year I’m really feeling it. The combo of a brutal northeastern winter and COVID blues/isolation really did a number on me and I felt extra seasonally low. Now that we are back in the city, I’ve been loving our longer walks and I cannot wait to romp around in the park, enjoy meals outside (sans heaters) and wear dresses! Spring in the city is seriously the best. On my list of things to do? Have a picnic, naturally. Plus Monica and I have some plans to head to the flower district, I want to venture over to Ralph’s for the first time and I’m hoping to pop down to the Chelsea Flea again for some vintage peeping. Vintage shopping is a new (and very sustainable) hobby of mine and I hope to make it more of a regular thing! If you’re local, the Chelsea flea is quite an experience but not overwhelmingly large. There’s also the Grand Bazaar on the west side and the Brooklyn flea, which just re-opened!
SNAPSHOTS | Some unedited #lifelately highlights from my camera roll…
park days / a super cute new top – runs tts or size up / spring city streets
been living in this lightweight jacket (size down) / some snaps from our CT trip
selfies with bean / my back post gua sha at PT / cannot stop thinking about this door!
more CP walks and photoshoots of B
snaps from around the apartment – we don’t get great sunset views but occasionally the golden hour light is unreal!
BROWSING, READING, LEARNING, LISTENING | Okay as far as reading goes, I’m still reading Outlander Book Four. It was a bit of a slog in the middle (kind of like Season Four of the show – my least favorite) but honestly the book is way better and both Roger and Brianna are much more likable. So it’s taking a turn, which I appreciate. I also have several books that I snagged during kindle sales that I’m looking forward to, and just started How to Do The Work by Nicole LaPera (aka @the.holistic.psychologist) after chatting to Elsa about it. Also on my list? The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown. I got about a quarter of the way through earlier last year and somehow dropped the ball! It feels really timely right now, so I’m excited to jump back in.
This month I also started – and devoured – the TV show Reign, a drama loosely based on Mary Queen of Scots that originally debuted on The CW. If you’re into accurate portrayals of history – this show is not for you. If you like period pieces with drama, spice, fun characters and a dope soundtrack then definitely give it a go! For the record, Reign did the whole “instrumental versions of popular songs” thing long before Bridgerton, so, let’s give credit where credit is due. I’m already on season three, so clearly I’m into it.
We (and I say this loosely, C always falls asleep) also started Downton Abbey for the first time. No, we have not seen it before. Yes, I know that is super embarassing! Sadly I did watch the movie with my in-laws a bit ago, so I know how some things end, but I also don’t know any of the beginning and middle so it’s still a true treat to watch! I love the characters, costumes and historical component. I think my favorite aspect of the show so far is that I get to learn about the Crawley’s and the house staff, which paints a much more comprehensive picture of life in the early 1900s.
Between Outlander, Reign and Downton I’ve also become very interested in the history of monarchies and am enthralled with 1920s life and fashion. Some shows I’ve added to my list are The Tudors and Victoria and as far as books go I’m also hoping to read Three Sisters Three Queens.
#ICYMI | Honestly you haven’t missed much – I was pretty quiet most of March! But here are a few things from this past week: