Sweet Slowness
Good Morning you “maybe a few little holiday decorations can’t hurt” lovelies.
In trying to think about what to write today, my mind kept going back to this mantra I mutter when it’s going to be A DAY… “Slow and steady wins the race” I say to myself as I struggle to accomplish The Next Right Thing.
In the Before Times, I would mutter this mantra when I had a particularly big To Do list, or when the tasks felt just beyond my reach somehow - either in scale, vulnerability or some lovely combination of both. There was something hidden in the simplicity of the words that got me to extend a level of grace to myself. Somehow, it reminded me to go slow, without also burdening that slowness with judgment - a truly Herculean accomplishment.
But lately I’ve found myself muttering, “slow and steady wins the race” just about every morning and all throughout the day. A canary in the mine, I began to fear that the little muttered mantra signaled some kind of mental descent (which it very well could), but I think it’s actually something else.
I think it’s actually about me learning how to extend non-judgmental grace to myself regardless of “how hard” the task is. As if - somewhere along the way in the wilderness of these past 18 months - I’ve begun to learn that it shouldn’t require struggle or pain in order to access or unlock grace and generosity. That the sweet slowness of life can just be something I get to have. WE get to have.
May we all step into this next month just a little slower, and a little sweeter.
Each month, I’ll gather:
❤️funny tweets
🤩stuff to watch, read and listen to
🤝great follows on social media
🌈 music to soothe
🕯calming things
*****
❤️
🤩
Over the weekend, I got to be a part of the wonderful Surrey International Writers’ Conference. It’s always a highlight of my year* (*life) and I’m still in a daze, but the one thing I need everyone to do is read THIS short story by Carys Davies that Karen Lord recommended. Dear lord I…. it’s exquisite.
I watched two really interesting documentaries this past month - one on Roald Dahl and one on James McNeill Whistler.
Some recent lovely, harvesty playlists I’ve been listening to are: Jazz in the Background and Tuesdays with Ashley and Spooky Study Buddies.
I’ve also really loved this Lo-Fi Beats (for ghosts only)… it’s lovely in the background.
The final season of Insecure premiered last night and… phew.
Yes, we've all listened to Adele’s incredible new single, Easy on Me. BUT, have you listened to it reimagined as an 80s song?
Every season of Sex Education just keeps getting better and better.
Also - Sex Education’s Soundtrack? Get outta here.
You know I love a cozy mystery, and My Life is Murder’s second season came at the perfect time.
🤝
Follow Yumi Sakugawa for wonderful art, books and insights.
Follow Kendra Austin - tbh, she’s been one of my favorite recent follows for SO MANY reasons.
Follow the Anatomy of Therapy for really good, accessible exercises to help all of our backs.
🌈
🕯
I can’t really link to a lot of the stuff I’m buying, because most of it is for holiday gifts BUT:
YES, I’m on strict mug restriction, but … looooook at em.
I will be ordering SEVERAL of these This is From Roy panetonne. You know… “for the holidays.”
🥰 I am here. Together, we will endeavor to just do the next right thing. 🥰
See you on the last Monday of every month.
Create your profile
Only paid subscribers can comment on this post
Check your email
For your security, we need to re-authenticate you.
Click the link we sent to , or click here to sign in.