As we close to the top of summer time 2023, I’ve been reflecting rather a lot on what these previous few months have meant to me. The large factor this summer time has proven me is that it’s attainable to be going by means 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 a variety 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 fantastic issues to be pleased about. Plenty of that is due to privilege, but a variety of it has come from making the selection to not surrender on the components of life that matter most to me just because I’m consumed by worry. I will be afraid and nonetheless stand up day-after-day, transfer ahead, and dwell life as absolutely as attainable.
Right this moment 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 very busy month. I did my finest to help my youngsters 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 a giant chapter with my staff.
I felt actually numb all through a variety 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 realized 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 demise.
As I attempted to navigate by means of the modifications, I discovered durations of pleasure within the in-between moments. On June 9, Joe and I went with a couple of buddies to Chicago for the Lifeless & Firm live performance. I loved time in our new front yard. I introduced the Nine Pines design project—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 buddies, together with a beautiful dinner hosted by Brooke Faudree. I walked so many miles and performed a variety 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 happening trip was going to imply I might absolutely unwind, however this was not the truth. I used to be confronted with a variety of triggers from relations—one thing that was nobody’s fault. We simply fall into previous patterns typically. I felt a variety of my success fall into query due to the alternatives I had made in June. I questioned my skill to do that subsequent part by myself. I considered 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 changes I’d made with Wit & Delight. Summer season has all the time been a very gradual time when it comes to 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 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 realized the virtues of wide-leg slouchy trousers and located the perfect little black dress, 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 Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado. It’s my favourite guide I’ve learn this yr thus far. Her writing reignited the starvation in me to specific myself by means of phrases once more.
On July 9, I went to one among my favourite eating places, Myriel, to rejoice 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 birthday celebration 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 a variety of design particulars for the 9 Pines mission and shared some colourful design updates in our basement family 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 the very 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 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 need to create, notably because it pertains to my e-newsletter, House Call. I discovered myself feeling extra enthusiastic about what’s to come back and discovering it simpler to get right into a movement state with work.
On August 1, I went to Goodwill and located an amazing 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’ll be able to store them now by means of September 13 on Etsy.
This month, we had a couple of epic afternoon thunderstorms and I beloved 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 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 tough. 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 beloved 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 solution to help me by means 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 find out how 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 find out how to react. On the courtroom and off, I’ve been studying a variety of classes by means of the act of not giving up.
This summer time has felt completely 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 shifting on.
This summer time has felt completely 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 shifting on. Issues felt slower, heavier, and tougher than standard by means of a lot of the season. I saved occupied with how I wanted to be in this house, not run away from it. Ultimately, I believe it was an actual reward to take issues slower and never attempt to numb the sophisticated mixture of happiness and unhappiness that drummed by means of the background of all our enjoyable summer time moments. I will be in the course of a very 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 find out how to play tennis and is perpetually testing the boundaries of her inventive muscle. Observe her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.
