We are in the “what day of the week is it?” phase of sickness at our house. My kids have done a very effective baton pass of strep, flu, strep, flu since last Thursday. There’s nothing, really, less likely to inspire creativity in me than the reality of sick kids: no normal routine, no sleep, no margin, no time alone. But, here I am, wrapping plastic cutlery in napkins and ribbon for a teacher breakfast at the preschool later this week, and the mood struck.
I’m thinking of starting a Substack. I had this idea immediately after my last post. It felt so good to have a creative outlet. But, I couldn’t think of a good name for it and it totally stalled me out. For some reason, I just keep thinking “the mother load,” which is so far off of any brand I want to project. But it is acting as a mental block. (Side note: I am definitely not naming it the mother load.)
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I saw the mailman yesterday when I finished my run and gave him a big wave and a hello. And then I realized I am in the season of stay-at-home motherhood where the mail carrier can feel like an actual friend because you see him or her every day and, sometimes, that might be the only adult conversation you have. I should have gotten him a better Christmas gift!
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I have thought about the trend of switching to a flip phone a lot lately. I really try to be aware of how much I am on my phone, but, I definitely struggle with picking it up or checking it too much. After reading this post about a woman who switched to a flip phone, I was inspired - definitely - but it made me realize it’s not a change I would like to make.
There are a lot of reasons (excuses?) I could give you as to why it wouldn’t work for me, but I think I needed to be more honest with myself: I like having the conveniences of an iphone. I love Facetiming, jamming to music with my kids and listening to audiobooks while I run. I like being connected to the world via my phone in a healthy way.
Having this epiphany made me realize I just need to maintain a healthy relationship with my phone. No one is going to do it for me :) Making changes - like treating my phone as a landline and leaving it in a certain spot, rather than carrying it around - have helped. Also, getting my phone out of my bed (I know, I know!) has been a game changer. I wish I’d listened to the experts sooner on that one.
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As I was typing this, I thought: does anyone care about my relationship with my phone? Maybe not, but I did want to say thank you to everyone who commented on my last post and was so encouraging about me writing again after a casual five year break. It made me feel so loved. I don’t think myself an influencer online, but it did make me feel seen and heard in this little corner of the internet.
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Speaking of being an influencer, I am well aware that I am in my season of micro-influencing, meaning influencing the micro sized people in my home. But, for those who want to be influenced by what I am loving lately, here are a few things:
Frownies: I’ve come and gone with these over the years because they were not my favorite for sleeping. But, after using them consistently, I’m finally used to the feeling as night. And, I think I’m noticing a difference on my forehead. It, at least, makes me feel like I’m doing something productive for wrinkles.
The Outset: I found this brand this winter and absolutely love it! BeautyCounter’s collapse left a real void in my beauty routine. I love the Outset’s lip mask.
Nuuly: I’ve been renting from Nuuly for almost two years and I am a huge fan. I love how empty my closet is! Chris loves that I don’t buy random one-off clothing items from Target.
Two GREAT books: Is She Really Going Out with Him? So fun. So enthralling. A little predictable, but worth it anyway. These Silent Woods: absolute page turner and a beautiful story of parenthood. I cried, I laughed. I loved it!
Farmers We Know granola: We got this at Costco and it’s 10/10. Sweetened with dates and the perfect texture.
Thanks for reading my random musings! :)