Hi, friend!
I blinked and it’s the end of October, though it’s just beginning to feel like fall in Brooklyn. Thirteen years on the East Coast has converted me into a lover of seasons, and I feel the biggest rush of serotonin each morning when I step outside to take my morning walk.
The last few months have been a fun and beautiful whirlwind: trips upstate, birthdays, concerts, beach days at Sophie’s, and a trip to Italy that finally made it off my wishlist after many years. Oh, and Jake and I got engaged last month!! It’s been a happy time and my cup feels very full.
However, it’s always challenging for me to be in motion, out of my routines, and constantly looking towards the future. When life gets busy, the practices that ground and inspire me (like writing) fall to the back burner, which is why I’ve been pretty quiet on here! So for today’s post, I’m saying hi to you, easing back into writing, and sharing some things that I’ve been enjoying, inspired by, and excited about. I want to begin again.
The hardest part of starting is the starting itself. I’m typing this on a Wednesday afternoon at 4pm, after weeks of telling myself I realllllly should write something. I haven’t shared anything here in over two months, and I’m feeling intimidated by the blank page.
I sat down an hour ago and started procrastinating so hard that I created a Google sheet of my favorite recipes, sortable by season. I decided to stay at my desk because I’d made a commitment to myself: 30 minutes of uninterrupted writing with no judgment about the quality or quantity of my finished product. Even though I wrote and deleted about 20 different sentences before finding a flow, I’ve now been sitting here for over an hour, writing, editing, and finding joy in the process(!!!).
The last few months reinforced the importance of intentionally creating time for the things that matter most to me. As much as I enjoy writing, reflecting, and sharing, if I don’t prioritize these practices (and sometimes force myself to start), they don’t happen. Life gets in the way: there are always shows to be watched, dishes to be cleaned, laundry to be folded, books to be read, and apps to be scrolled.
At the beginning of the year, I thought that daily writing had become as ingrained in my routine as brushing my teeth or drinking a glass of water in the morning. I’ve come to realize that it’s more like tending a garden: it needs frequent attention, cultivation, and care to thrive (even just 5 minutes a day!). If the intentionality is not there, it’s hard to sustain my habits.
This season has also shown me that there’s never the perfect time to restart or commit to something new. I often delay pursuing new projects, hoping for inspiration to strike or the ideal time to arrive. You don’t need to wait for the new year, a new month, or a Monday; embrace the moments of recommitment and give yourself the grace to just begin.
The very best things I read and listened to over the last two months:
TO READ
My three favorite books (ask if you want more!) and a special article. 😊
James by Percival Everett. This book was a rare 5/5 for me. It’s a powerful and thrilling retelling of Huck Finn from Jim’s perspective.
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore. A perfect thriller. I couldn’t put this down. Bonus points because it takes place in the Adirondacks!
The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. I’m only halfway done with this book and it has already opened my eyes in so many ways. I think this should be required reading.
“Seven Ways to Love Better” from the NYT. Modern Love’s editor recaps the seven biggest lessons on life and love after 20 years of editing the column. Read this one. ❤️️
TO LISTEN
I haven’t stopped thinking about these.
If you enjoyed reading Spring Cleaning this week, these are ways that you can support me & my writing:
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Thank you so much for reading! I deeply appreciate each and every one of you. 🌸
Why wait, just start! Needed that today, thanks Spring Cleaning.
You're right, there is no perfect time. And it helps to schedule your time, even those five minutes a day, which inevitably turn into more, a pleasant surprise. I have a title for a new novel and I have no idea what it's going to be about, I just have the title, and I know I need to write it onto the blank page and then just sit there and wait. Congratulations on you and Jake!