As we close to the tip of summer season 2023, I’ve been reflecting quite a bit on what these previous few months have meant to me. The large factor this summer season has proven me is that it’s potential to be going by way of a troublesome, making an attempt 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 numerous 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 great issues to be glad about. Lots of that is due to privilege, but numerous 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 concern. I may be afraid and nonetheless rise up each day, transfer ahead, and reside life as totally as potential.
Right now I’m recapping this summer season of transformation and sharing what the previous few months have seemed like in my life.
June
June was a very busy month. I did my greatest to help my youngsters as college ended and so they moved into their summer season 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 workforce.
I felt actually numb all through numerous 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 pals to Chicago for the Lifeless & Firm live performance. I loved time in our new entrance yard. I introduced the 9 Pines design challenge—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 pals, together with a stunning dinner hosted by Brooke Faudree. I walked so many miles and performed numerous 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 totally unwind, however this was not the truth. I used to be confronted with numerous triggers from relations—one thing that was nobody’s fault. We simply fall into outdated patterns typically. I felt numerous 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 totally. 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 very sluggish time by way of incoming alternatives, however I didn’t know what this slowness would really really feel like this yr. The clever a part of me knew these modifications wanted to occur however my ego undoubtedly 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 unimaginable 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 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 specific myself by way 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 particular person after the lengthy design course of. They’ll be in the stores beginning this fall! I additionally finalized numerous design particulars for the 9 Pines challenge 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 aspect of the household. I had the perfect sandwich on the drive up at Northern Waters Smokehaus. We ate a lot of good meals and spent loads of time exterior. Yearly, I respect 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 need 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 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 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 liked each second. Attending to expertise the combo of thunderstorms and lovely, 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 properly however the restoration was considerably troublesome. After per week or so, she was feeling so a lot better, and her respiration and sleeping improved dramatically in comparison with pre-surgery.
On the studying entrance, I dove into Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros and liked it a lot. I’ve discovered fantasy books to be such a optimistic escape for me in instances once I’m feeling adrift. It’s a lighter method to help 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 quite a bit 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 court docket and off, I’ve been studying numerous classes by way of the act of not giving up.
This summer season 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 reduction to be shifting on.
This summer season 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 reduction to be shifting on. Issues felt slower, heavier, and harder than regular 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 may be in the midst 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 without end testing the boundaries of her inventive muscle. Observe her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.