As we close to the tip of summer time 2023, I’ve been reflecting rather a lot on what these previous few months have meant to me. The massive factor this summer time has proven me is that it’s potential 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 lots of confidence as I face what it means to become old—to have extra duties and extra issues to fret about.
Even when a worst-case situation occurs, I do know I nonetheless have so many fantastic issues to be glad about. Plenty of that is due to privilege, but lots of it has come from making the selection to not hand over on the elements of life that matter most to me just because I’m consumed by concern. I will be afraid and nonetheless stand up each day, transfer ahead, and dwell life as absolutely as potential.
In the present day I’m recapping this summer time of transformation and sharing what the previous few months have seemed like in my life.
June
June was a extremely busy month. I did my greatest to assist my children as college ended they usually moved into their summer time routines, whereas additionally making an attempt to navigate the ups and downs that got here with transitioning my enterprise and shutting an enormous chapter with my group.
I felt actually numb all through lots of this month. In the midst of June, we made the announcement that Wit & Delight could 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 adjustments, I discovered durations of pleasure within the in-between moments. On June 9, Joe and I went with a number of associates to Chicago for the Lifeless & Firm live performance. I loved time in our new entrance yard. I introduced the 9 Pines design mission—one thing I’m so excited to be engaged on.
All through the month, I spent loads of time outdoors. I went to dinner events with associates, together with a beautiful dinner hosted by Brooke Faudree. I walked so many miles and performed lots of tennis. Our household had a pizza evening 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 lots of triggers from relations—one thing that was nobody’s fault. We simply fall into outdated patterns generally. I felt lots of my success fall into query due to the alternatives I had made in June. I questioned my capability to do that subsequent section by myself. I thought of getting a company job and setting this house apart completely. It was a complete “Who am I?” second.
This month, I began to get actually nervous about the entire adjustments I’d made with Wit & Delight. Summer time has at all times been a extremely sluggish time when it comes to incoming alternatives, however I didn’t know what this slowness would truly really feel like this yr. The sensible a part of me knew these adjustments wanted to occur however my ego positively didn’t take the quiet effectively. 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 fantastic highlights. I took some unimaginable 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 right 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 ebook I’ve learn this yr to this point. Her writing reignited the starvation in me to precise myself by way of phrases once more.
On July 9, I went to considered one of my favourite eating places, Myriel, to have fun their second anniversary. The meals was scrumptious and the house was lovely as at all times. On July 16, the celebrations continued as we threw August an epic seventh birthday celebration 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 available for purchase beginning this fall! I additionally finalized lots of design particulars for the 9 Pines mission 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 facet of the household. I had one of the best sandwich on the drive up at Northern Waters Smokehaus. We ate a lot of good meals and spent loads of time outdoors. 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 come back and discovering it simpler to get right into a circulation state with work.
On August 1, I went to Goodwill and located a tremendous set of canary yellow dishes. I’m so excited to entertain with them on numerous events to come back. Talking of entertaining… I additionally launched a line of tabletop linens this month! I love how the entire patterned items turned out. You possibly can store them now by way of September 13 on Etsy.
This month, we had a number of epic afternoon thunderstorms and I cherished each second. Attending to expertise the combo of thunderstorms and beautiful, sunny summer time 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 effectively however the restoration was considerably tough. After per week or so, she was feeling so significantly better, and her respiratory and sleeping improved dramatically in comparison with pre-surgery.
On the studying entrance, I dove into Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and cherished it a lot. I’ve discovered fantasy books to be such a optimistic escape for me in instances after 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 rather a lot about methods to have a extra trusting relationship with my physique. It’s taught me to stay calm, even in continually altering circumstances, and to belief that I’ll know methods to react. On the courtroom and off, I’ve been studying lots of classes by way of the act of not giving up.
This summer time has felt totally different than summers previous. I’ve that twinge of melancholy that comes with the back-to-school season, but in addition a way of reduction to be transferring on.
This summer time has felt totally different than summers previous. I’ve that twinge of melancholy that comes with the back-to-school season, but in addition a way of reduction to be transferring on. Issues felt slower, heavier, and tougher than traditional by way of a lot of the season. I saved fascinated about how I wanted to be in this house, not run away from it. In the long run, I believe it was an actual reward to take issues slower and never attempt to numb the difficult mixture of happiness and unhappiness that drummed by way of the background of all our enjoyable summer time moments. I will be in the course of a extremely difficult time and nonetheless discover methods to carry pleasure to my life. I’m so grateful for that lesson.
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Kate is the founding father of Wit & Delight. She is presently studying methods to play tennis and is endlessly testing the boundaries of her artistic muscle. Observe her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.
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