As we close to the top of summer season 2023, I’ve been reflecting lots on what these previous few months have meant to me. The massive factor this summer season has proven me is that it’s potential to be going by way of a troublesome, attempting interval and nonetheless discover a lot pleasure. It’s proven me that two issues can exist on the similar time. This realization has given me loads of confidence as I face what it means to grow 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. Numerous that is due to privilege, but loads of it has come from making the selection to not quit on the components of life that matter most to me just because I’m consumed by concern. I could be afraid and nonetheless stand up each day, transfer ahead, and dwell life as totally as potential.
In the present day I’m recapping this summer season of transformation and sharing what the previous few months have appeared like in my life.
June
June was a extremely busy month. I did my greatest to assist my youngsters as faculty ended they usually moved into their summer season routines, whereas additionally attempting to navigate the ups and downs that got here with transitioning my enterprise and shutting an enormous chapter with my crew.
I felt actually numb all through loads of this month. In the course 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 troublesome 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 dying.
As I attempted to navigate by way of the modifications, I discovered intervals of pleasure within the in-between moments. On June 9, Joe and I went with a number of mates to Chicago for the Lifeless & Firm live performance. I loved time in our new entrance yard. I introduced the 9 Pines design venture—one thing I’m so excited to be engaged on.
All through the month, I spent loads of time exterior. I went to dinner events with mates, together with a beautiful dinner hosted by Brooke Faudree. I walked so many miles and performed loads 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 believed occurring trip was going to imply I may totally unwind, however this was not the truth. I used to be confronted with loads of triggers from relations—one thing that was nobody’s fault. We simply fall into previous patterns generally. I felt loads 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 considered getting a company job and setting this house apart solely. It was a complete “Who am I?” second.
This month, I began to get actually nervous about the entire modifications I’d made with Wit & Delight. Summer season has all the time been a extremely sluggish time by way of incoming alternatives, however I didn’t know what this slowness would truly really feel like this yr. The smart a part of me knew these modifications wanted to occur however my ego undoubtedly 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 date. 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 a good time their second anniversary. The meals was scrumptious and the house was lovely as all the time. On July 16, the celebrations continued as we threw August an epic seventh party within the yard.
On the work entrance, I obtained 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 in the stores beginning this fall! I additionally finalized loads of design particulars for the 9 Pines venture 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 plenty of good meals and spent loads of time exterior. Yearly, I recognize the simplicity of this journey increasingly.
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 e-newsletter, Home Name. I discovered myself feeling extra enthusiastic about what’s to return and discovering it simpler to get right into a circulate 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 return. Talking of entertaining… I additionally launched a line of tabletop linens this month! I love how the entire patterned items turned out. You may 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 combination of thunderstorms and beautiful, sunny summer season days has been actually particular. I’m so grateful to have a mind that may entry such delight for each 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 troublesome. 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 constructive escape for me in instances after I’m feeling adrift. It’s a lighter approach to assist me by way of troublesome instances.
I performed tennis extra days of the week than not. The method of studying to play tennis has taught me lots about how one can have a extra trusting relationship with my physique. It’s taught me to stay calm, even in always altering circumstances, and to belief that I’ll know how one can react. On the court docket and off, I’ve been studying loads of classes by way of the act of not giving up.
This summer season has felt completely different than summers previous. I’ve that twinge of melancholy that comes with the back-to-school season, but additionally a way of aid to be transferring on.
This summer season has felt completely different than summers previous. I’ve that twinge of melancholy that comes with the back-to-school season, but additionally a way of aid to be transferring on. Issues felt slower, heavier, and tougher than ordinary 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. Ultimately, I believe it was an actual present to take issues slower and never attempt to numb the difficult mixture of happiness and disappointment that drummed by way of the background of all our enjoyable summer season moments. I could be in the course of a extremely difficult time and nonetheless discover methods to deliver 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 at present studying how one can play tennis and is ceaselessly testing the boundaries of her artistic muscle. Observe her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.
