Dear friends,
I honestly do not know how it became October so quickly. This year has been going by far too fast for my liking. It seems that no matter how hard I try to slow things down, time speeds up. I think it may have to do with too many busy weeks with equally busy weekends. This autumn I am planning many more unplanned weekends where I make no particular plans to go anywhere or see anyone. I’ll let it all unfold naturally. Well, as much as I can.
This past week my husband’s family lost a close family member far too soon. Times like these remind me how precious life is. I always do my best to be aware, but with work and the chaos of life at times it is easy to put that perspective on the back burner. Our time is our most valuable resource. Who we share our time with and what we do with that time is all that we truly have. I still have to work during the week, run my business on the side, and I have other responsibilities, but I also have a resp0onsibility to myself, my health, and my wellbeing. So I made a list of things that bring me joy. And I decided to spend more time doing those things. Here is just a little glimpse at that list:
- Reading books that bring me joy
- Being creative in some way; taking photos, creating photo shoots, drawing, or painting
- Listening to uplifting music
- Going for walks in nature
- Reading outside
- Cooking a healthy meal with my husband and enjoying dinner together at our kitchen table
- My morning meditation
- Cuddling in the mornings with our cat Madeleine
- Quality time with no phones
This past month, I also had many little things to appreciate. Like this afternoon reading by a waterfall on a hot September day.
Teaching myself how to watercolor and use gouache paint.
Thrifting for household items instead of buying new.
The last of the cherry tomatoes on my plants at home.
Making new creative friends in my thirties.
Our girl, Madeleine.
Fair season in Connecticut.
Matthew’s birthday.
Feeling healthy enough to get back into the gym.
These 1960s thrifted plates for autumn.
Hosting dinner with a close friend.
A picnic with a friend at the park.
Learning about growing apples.
The season of the witch.
Celebrating Matthew’s birthday at the Mystic aquarium. Spending the day slowly taking photos of the penguins.
A raining day in Washington.
Reading in the park.
This sunset walk.
Teaching myself how to draw animals.
Things I found fun, interesting, or important this past month:
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Fast fashion is faster than everÂ
Our homes say a lot about our mental healthÂ
Hallmark Christmas Movie MagicÂ
When home renovation shows make you feel like you’re living in a before photo.
The best laundry tips you can know for making your clothing last longer
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Wishing you a lovely month,
Courtney