The gifts in Encanto, ranked in order of helpfulness

Least helpful Encanto gift, in 8th place: Pepa’s mood controlling the weather. How does this help anyone, particular when Pepa has so much trouble self-regulating? (No judgment, sister, I would be the same.) Edgar pointed out that maybe she could make it rain to make crops grow, but really, throughout the movie, I only seeContinue reading “The gifts in Encanto, ranked in order of helpfulness”

Recommended for a “light read”

Every once in a while in my reading life, I want a book that can be classified as a “light read.” Sometimes it’s because I just finished an emotionally intense novel (looking at you, A Little Life) or sometimes it’s because I have a lot going on personally and don’t feel capable of digging intoContinue reading “Recommended for a “light read””

Goals for 2022

Every year, without fail, I make a bunch of New Year’s resolutions and I forget about them by February. Note: I don’t necessarily stop keeping the resolutions by February. I might still be practicing mindfulness or being intentional with my purchases or doing yoga. But a few weeks into the new calendar year, I willContinue reading “Goals for 2022”

My 2021 year in books

For 2021, I set myself a Goodreads challenge to read 75 books. This was a big goal for me; I’m an avid reader, but I typically read somewhere between 25 and 50 books in a year. I’m so glad I set this challenge for myself, because it really helped me with a related goal ofContinue reading “My 2021 year in books”

5 things I’m grateful for in December 2021

Every month, I make a list of five things I’m grateful for. There is always something to be grateful for – but some months, it’s a lot easier than others to make this list. 1. Our third (!!!) baby boy coming home. I’m still in disbelief – excited and terrified and all the other feels.Continue reading “5 things I’m grateful for in December 2021”

This is 39

It’s my birthday! My most consistent birthday tradition is spending time, by myself or with a kindred spirit, writing at a coffee shop. All birthdays are a great time for reflection, and with my birthday nestled right between Christmas and New Year’s, I find that my mind is usually wandering to reflections on the yearContinue reading “This is 39”

Making time for the things that help you feel grounded

You’re a full-time working mom. You have no time intentionally set aside for you; every hour, every minute of the day is devoted to work, family, kids. It’s not sustainable, and it doesn’t work. Sometimes, in my working mom life, I feel like I am spinning and buzzing all over the place and barely haveContinue reading “Making time for the things that help you feel grounded”