As we close to the tip of summer time 2023, I’ve been reflecting so much on what these previous few months have meant to me. The large factor this summer time has proven me is that it’s doable 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 become old—to have extra duties and extra issues to fret about.
Even when a worst-case state of affairs occurs, I do know I nonetheless have so many great issues to be grateful for. A variety of that is due to privilege, but loads of it has come from making the selection to not quit on the elements of life that matter most to me just because I’m consumed by concern. I could be afraid and nonetheless rise up daily, transfer ahead, and reside life as absolutely as doable.
At this time I’m recapping this summer time 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 finest to assist my children as faculty ended and so they moved into their summer time 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 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 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 loss of life.
As I attempted to navigate by way of the modifications, I discovered durations of pleasure within the in-between moments. On June 9, Joe and I went with a number of buddies 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 exterior. I went to dinner events with buddies, 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 youngsters. 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 might absolutely unwind, however this was not the fact. I used to be confronted with loads of triggers from members of the family—one thing that was nobody’s fault. We simply fall into outdated 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 part alone. I considered getting a company job and setting this area apart completely. 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 really really feel like this 12 months. The smart a part of me knew these modifications wanted to occur however my ego positively didn’t take the quiet properly. 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 great highlights. I took some unbelievable morning walks at dawn. When Joe was out of city for work, I took the youngsters 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 proper little black costume, 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 guide I’ve learn this 12 months thus far. Her writing reignited the starvation in me to specific myself by way of phrases once more.
On July 9, I went to one in every of my favourite eating places, Myriel, to have a good time their second anniversary. The meals was scrumptious and the area was stunning as all the time. 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 that can be purchased beginning this fall! I additionally finalized loads 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 numerous good meals and spent loads of time exterior. Yearly, I admire the simplicity of this journey an increasing number of.
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 stream 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 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 lovely, sunny summer time 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 properly however the restoration was considerably troublesome. After per week or so, she was feeling so a lot 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 once I’m feeling adrift. It’s a lighter strategy 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 so much about the best way to have a extra trusting relationship with my physique. It’s taught me to stay calm, even in continuously altering circumstances, and to belief that I’ll know the best way to react. On the courtroom and off, I’ve been studying loads 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 additionally a way of aid 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 additionally a way of aid to be transferring on. Issues felt slower, heavier, and tougher than traditional by way of many of the season. I stored desirous about how I wanted to be in this area, not run away from it. Ultimately, I feel it was an actual present to take issues slower and never attempt to numb the sophisticated mixture of happiness and unhappiness that drummed by way of the background of all our enjoyable summer time moments. I could be in the course of a extremely difficult time and nonetheless discover methods to convey 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 the best way to play tennis and is endlessly testing the boundaries of her inventive muscle. Comply with her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.
