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What's happening: Taking a breather this week to rest, bake experimental desserts, and soak up family time before my surgery
What you'll find here: A shorter check-in on being intentional with time, plus two tiny tips for finding rest in the holiday chaos
The real talk: Sometimes the best thing you can do is say no to one more thing and yes to what actually fills your cup
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Hey {{first_name}},
I know your inbox is probably screaming at you right now with Black Friday deals, Cyber Monday previews, and approximately 47 emails about "LAST CHANCE" sales that definitely aren't the last chance 😅
So consider this your calm in the storm—a quick hello from someone who's choosing apple em-pie-nadas over deal hunting this week.
(Yes, em-pie-nadas. I'm testing a baking experiment tomorrow and I'm unreasonably excited about it. Updates to follow on whether they're delicious or a complete disaster.)
I'm off Wed-Fri this week, and honestly? I'm equal parts excited and relieved. Between maximizing my social calendar before surgery and keeping up with work, my social battery has been running on fumes. So this week is about being intentional—spending time with family on Thanksgiving, maybe some quality couch time with my dogs, and saying no to things that don't serve where I am right now.
Like this past weekend, when I said no to a yoga event I'd been really looking forward to. My body and mind were screaming for rest, and for once, I actually listened. It felt weird (because I wanted to go cheer on a friend), pero also? Saying no was what I needed and my friend totally understood!
With surgery approaching in a few weeks, I've been thinking a lot about how I want to spend my time. Who I want to spend it with. What actually matters when you're facing something that'll sideline you for a while.
I'm so incredibly grateful for the people who've held space for me to be vulnerable, tired, scared, and still somehow hopeful. My friend group, my boyfriend, my family—they've shown up in ways that remind me I'm not doing this alone.
And you know what else fills me with gratitude? This little corner of the internet we're building together. You let me show up messy, real, and imperfect every other week, and that's a gift I don't take lightly. So thank YOU for being here, for reading, for giving me a space to be creative and human at the same time 💛
🌻 Two Tiny Tips for Resting Intentionally This Week
1. Practice the "one no" rule: Pick one thing this week—just one—that you give yourself permission to skip. Maybe it's that extra errand, that Zoom happy hour, or scrolling through your phone before bed. Notice how it feels to choose rest instead.
2. Name what you're grateful for out loud: Not the performative IG caption version, but the real stuff. Say it to someone, write it down, or just whisper it to yourself in the shower. Gratitude hits different when you actually voice it.
What's one thing you're saying yes to this week that actually fills your cup? (And what's one thing you're saying no to so you can protect that space?)
If you're comfortable sharing, reply and tell me. I'd love to celebrate your intentional choices with you.
Happy Thanksgiving, friend. May your turkey be moist, your family drama be minimal, and your pie be perfectly imperfect 🥧
¿Qué dijo? / What did she say?
Pero - But