Opening Up.

So much on my mind today.

First, some housekeeping:

• I’m going to do things a little differently this week. I’m going to share the things I loved first this week and then go into my post. As you might have noticed, this post is coming to you on a Thursday instead of a Monday. There’s a reason for that and I’ll share it with you in the “for subscribers only” section of this post as I get super vulnerable.

• I also want to note that I am relieving myself of the requirement to post on Mondays. I will keep up with weekly posts but they may not always be on Mondays as it’ll depend on what’s happening that week. Life changes all the time and while Mondays used to be the perfect day for these, that tide is changing. So we change with it. Let’s see where this tide takes us.

Next, what I loved this week (and I have so many to share so buckle up! Lots of good stuff):

• I saved this one on my phone weeks ago and keep forgetting to share it with you. Types of questions to ask your kids daily to keep them mentally strong. Loved this and loved that it’s not about specific questions but types of questions.

• This NYTimes article is both encouraging and a little scary for sure. But I appreciate the solidarity and support and the confidence it gives me to stay on the path of doing the right thing. (Gifted article so no paywall).

• Christine Koh
  is back in my list again (so many great posts and another Boston mum so I extra adore her) with a reflection on being in the sandwich generation and ways to think about our own futures. I really loved the idea of considering what we hope our lives will be like in 15/20/30 years.

  “I decided to jot down some ideas for what I want my life to look like starting 15 to 20 years from now, with the lens of how I can fuel those realities now. I hope you will join me in this quick exercise; it gave me a lot of joy to think about the future! Also, I recommend jotting down the topline ideas quickly in order to avoid overthinking and/or prevent the inner critic that may wish to dictate what later adulthood “should” look like from coloring your thoughts. I literally closed my eyes and asked myself, “What do I want my everyday life to look like when I’m in my 60s, 70s, and 80s?” and allowed images to form.”

• As a tattooed person myself,

  Rebecca Woolf
  ’s post about being an old lady with tattoos and stories to tell really struck home with me. When I was little, my dad would show me all his scars and tell the stories behind them. I LOVED these moments where I’d learn about his life and what lingered. Tattoos have always reminded me of that experience and I am proud to display the many women I’ve been/will be by the art I wear. I was especially in love with how Rebecca edited a tattoo that didn’t work for her anymore. Beautifully done.

• Perhaps my favorite post of the week,

  Monica Danielle
  ’s This is not a before photo is wonderful. It encapsulates exactly how I feel about aging, and says it with care and respect of those who have a different opinion on how to do it. Age how you want to age; there is no judgement or issue. But I’m going to do it the old fashioned way and just let it happen to me because I don’t have it in me to keep up with the upkeep.

• The internet, chatGPT, and all that other nonsense has broken our brains. Relatable article from The New Yorker.

• Nikyla Maria
  showed up in my list last week and I’m bringing her back again. I listened to her meditation on A Safe Space for Joy and it was lovely. I used to meditate every day to cope with covid life with school-aged kids, and it was so immensely helpful. Now I meditate sporadically and I really should get back into it. This particular meditation touched upon so many things and it grounded me in hope and joy for the future. My mind drifted a few times but I found my way back and found myself surprised at how easily I could visualize what I needed. Thanks for that, Nikyla! I’ll be listening to more of your meditations.

• Speaking of peace and meditation, Insight Timer is the app I use for free meditations, classes, and music. This is not sponsored but I highly recommend it because it has a LOT under it’s free options and I use it all the time.

• A long time favorite poet of mine,

  Andrea Gibson
  shared about how this was the hardest winter of their life. Resonated with me big time (their work always does). My husband read one of their poems at my mother’s funeral and I have all of their books. The poet laureate of Colorado, Andrea is an amazing person to follow. Go subscribe if you haven’t already.

• Because this post is already super long, I’ll share a few instagram bits in one bullet. Celebrating our bodies, an incredibly important share about our sons and what we teach them, related: what to do for a child experiencing self hatred, how to spot signs of radicalization in teen boys from Parents Together (a great account to follow).

• Finally, a giggle for you. (side note: don’t use ChatGPT).

  

  Here’s to living deliciously.

And now? My actual post for the week. I’m getting vulnerable with you, friends. Pull up a chair.