An update on living late(ly)
No sparkles & promises, only honesty (& shares!)
Written 11/5/2025
It’s a rare, windy 67 degrees ferenheight (19C) in early October and I don’t have to be at work until 4pm. So I’m sitting outside in my favorite old cotton PJs I’ve permanently “borrowed” from mom, with a glass of honyed iced green tea I’ve made too sweet.
Anyway, I’m excited to say I’ve finally started on my book yesterday. I feel really motivated about it. Like what I want to say, needs to be said.
I spent a surprising amount of time yesterday learning how to format Google Docs so what I wrote looked like you were reading a memoir rather than a too-long essay. Then I wrote the first few paragraphs of Chapter 1 before feeling like I needed to be refreshed on how to make the rest of the book flow intentionally.
So hopefully before work today, I’ll dive into some videos I’ve saved about writing a good memoir; I have some physical memoirs to refer to as well.
Currently reading…
Everything’s felt so aligned recently. Like I’ve been reading a book I constantly picking up whenever I can: The Wedding People by Alison Espach. An online rave that’s actually living up to its hype for me so far.
The writing style is charming and humorous, and the pace is savory and satiating. The protagonist, Pheobe, is saying and hitting a lot of pain points for me that I hadn’t quite found the words for until she (or the author, rather) had them laid out in front of me.
I’m a little over halfway through, but plan to give it a “high rating” solely off the hey-this-book-came-at-a-time-when-I-needed-it-most-in-my-life bias.
Oh and speaking of ratings… I’ve slowly migrated myself over to Storygraph from Goodreads months and months ago, but just started utilizing it and I loooove it so much more!! The data makes me DROOL. I highly recommend you give them a gander because they’re constantly improving and making great features!
On intentional (and somewhat woowoo) energy use…
Anyway, the current read has been hitting, I’ve been trying to trust the ebbs and flows of my energy based on my monthly cycle (I’m currently in the summery ovulatory phase. Let’s gooo!), and this morning I listened to a paid Human Design podcast ep that reminded us how to navigate and experiment with our lives using our profile.
Essentially, I was reminded that I have a profile that naturally wants to hermit away and create in my own space, or just rest in there. She needs alone time. And I haven’t been allowing that to be okay lately.
The second part of my profile is “called out” when it’s needed and when necessary. Gone are the days of stressing about when I should “show up” or “initiate” or where I need to pedestal myself and in what ways. It is a problem solver that needs to be selective of where it uses its energy. And actually, gets to choose when to make itself known.
Again, I have not been living in that way, and believe I’ve been miserable because of it.
So when late this morning my dad popped by the house and I got to catch up with him, I found it funny that he brought up an idea his wife had for a possible future job that is somewhat piquing my curiosity.
On therapy and writing…
In other news, I’ve signed up for a creative nonfiction class* that’ll run 6 Thursdays starting this week. And I have my second session of therapy this week as well.
*Update: the creative nonfiction class was cancelled and will hopefully be rescheduled someday.
On a few fun discoveries & life happenings
I’ve rediscovered digital zines as a form of self-expression for a slew of ideas I’ve been having, that didn’t quite make sense to simply write about. Coming to you soon (enough… eventually).
I went on my first trip away with my boyfriend last month and got to see how we cohabitate for a longer period of time. We had a great time!
Women muscians that sing poetically sad songs have been a newly-discovered interest. So far Olivia Rodrigo’s “Vampire” and “Traitor”, and Billie Ellish’s “WILDFLOWER” have flipped a musical interest switch in my brain I haven’t been able to reach since the days NYLON magazine would give out free playlists (~2009). Such a 180 for me as someone who couldn’t comprehend why anyone would voulntarily listen to sad songs, would never really pay attention to lyrics, and doesn’t listen to music much at all in her freetime or passively.
Everyone, I have news: I know what to do with all your extra salami you get at the deli! I landed on a Reddit thread where several people said to pair salami with cream cheese (so maybe I’m late to the party?), and it’s a new favorite snack! One specific person said they got a baguette and put the salami, cream cheese, and sundried tomatoes on top. I did it, and can confirm it’s an elite pairing.
I pulled my gel nail kit out for the first time in maybe a year? And realized after curing the polish onto my nails that I really, really like having them painted. It personally makes me feel more polished and put-together. They’ve been naked and natural for a few days now, and I think they’re pretty like this too! But… I do have my next color picked and ready.
Watched a YouTube video that reminded me that Robot Unicorn Attack existed. The man mentioned it, I audibly gasped, looked it up, and immediately found a website that allows you to play it for free. You’re welcome.
It feels so good to write an update that just feels… okay to post. Sometimes I feel like sharing happenings in my life can feel clumsy and childish. But oddly enough, this one doesn’t.
It’s not polished or my best work by any means, but for once I’m okay with that.
What’s something small n’ good in your life lately? As you can see, I’ve been on a roll discovering tiny fun things!
Also gimme any poetically sad gurl song recs if you have them! I’m very interested in continuing down this rabbit hole deeply.
Have a great weekend (or day, whenever you read this) and I’ll see you around. :)
Glad your energy vibe is syncing; I usually have to go on the charger some days-(read nap!) Alot of good adventure happening to you-good on you! As for the salami and cream cheese; definitely on that page. My wife does a 'roll up' which is a soft tortilla with some cream cheese and a bit of ranch mixed in; just spread it on and add, chopped peppers, cucumber, salami. or whatever you like; roll it up and slice it into finger widths or so, and enjoy!