As we close to the top of summer season 2023, I’ve been reflecting quite a bit on what these previous few months have meant to me. The massive factor this summer season has proven me is that it’s attainable to be going via 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 lots of confidence as I face what it means to grow old—to have extra obligations 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. Numerous that is due to privilege, but lots of it has come from making the selection to not hand over on the components of life that matter most to me just because I’m consumed by worry. I could be afraid and nonetheless rise up each day, transfer ahead, and stay life as totally as attainable.
As we speak I’m recapping this summer season of transformation and sharing what the previous few months have regarded like in my life.
June
June was a extremely busy month. I did my greatest to help my children 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 lots 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 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 via the adjustments, I discovered intervals of pleasure within the in-between moments. On June 9, Joe and I went with just a few buddies to Chicago for the Useless & 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 lots 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 totally unwind, however this was not the fact. I used to be confronted with lots of triggers from relations—one thing that was nobody’s fault. We simply fall into outdated patterns typically. I felt lots of my success fall into query due to the alternatives I had made in June. I questioned my skill to do that subsequent section by myself. I thought of 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 all the adjustments I’d made with Wit & Delight. Summer season has at all times been a extremely sluggish time when it comes to incoming alternatives, however I didn’t know what this slowness would really really feel like this 12 months. The sensible a part of me knew these adjustments 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 costume, which I’ve worn 4 occasions already. I made my favourite potato salad recipe. I watched all of Wimbledon and noticed the Barbie film—even with all the 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 e book I’ve learn this 12 months up to now. Her writing reignited the starvation in me to specific myself via phrases once more.
On July 9, I went to considered one of my favourite eating places, Myriel, to have a good time their second anniversary. The meals was scrumptious and the house was lovely as at all times. On July 16, the celebrations continued as we threw August an epic seventh birthday celebration within the yard.
On the work entrance, I obtained all the 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 lots 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 the most effective sandwich on the drive up at Northern Waters Smokehaus. We ate numerous 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, notably because it pertains to my publication, Home Name. I discovered myself feeling extra enthusiastic about what’s to return 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 return. Talking of entertaining… I additionally launched a line of tabletop linens this month! I love how all the patterned items turned out. You possibly can store them now via September 13 on Etsy.
This month, we had just a few epic afternoon thunderstorms and I cherished each second. Attending to expertise the combo of thunderstorms and beautiful, sunny summer season days has been actually particular. I’m so grateful to have a mind that may entry such delight for either 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 tough. 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 cherished it a lot. I’ve discovered fantasy books to be such a constructive escape for me in occasions once I’m feeling adrift. It’s a lighter method to help me via tough occasions.
I performed tennis extra days of the week than not. The method of studying to play tennis has taught me quite a bit about easy methods 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 easy methods to react. On the courtroom and off, I’ve been studying lots of classes via the act of not giving up.
This summer season has felt completely 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 shifting on.
This summer season has felt completely 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 shifting on. Issues felt slower, heavier, and harder than normal via many of the season. I stored 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 via the background of all our enjoyable summer season 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 the moment studying easy methods to play tennis and is ceaselessly testing the boundaries of her artistic muscle. Comply with her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.
