Last week, my husband and daughter went on a 4-day camping trip to Maine. (If you’re wondering why I didn’t join them, it’s because of, you know, the “camping” bit. Your girl is more of an indoor cat.)
This is not to say I didn’t have my own kind of vacation. First, our house was professionally cleaned on Friday, so I had two whole days to enjoy a gleaming, clutter-free environment. Also, I’ve realized solitude helps me recharge. It’s not just the absence of people engaging with me. It’s the absolute silence and stillness that calms my brain. I felt so inspired, I even wrote in my journal. And I wrote a little poetry, which I haven’t done in years, outside of the occasional assignment at my day job. It’s a habit I’m hoping to continue on the semi-regular.
I also finished this book, which was GREAT. Highly recommended, especially, if, like me, you love culinary memoirs.
By the time my family returned on Sunday afternoon, I was nearly levitating from my peaceful, productive, positive staycation. I almost didn’t mind all of the carelessly-strewn sleeping bags and backpacks. (Almost.)
Then, this week we were hit by a dastardly heat wave. I’ve never loved the heat, but menopausal me REALLY has a hard time with it. Thankfully I was prepared with a few cooling ministrations. I remained in close proximity to a fan. I may as well have had an I.V. drip of iced coffee. And forgoing any use of the oven, I ate many of these Nicoise-esque salads with perfectly jammy eggs.
Aside from the heat, this week has been pretty insane work-wise, with many deadlines and one very late night of writing and revising. I’m lucky that my brain is able to lock in to hyperfocus (it’s one of my neurospicy superpowers) but when it’s forced to remain in that mode for a couple of days at a time, there’s a cost. I end up with a bit of a mental hangover for a day or two afterwards, where I feel like I have a low-grade migraine with brain fog, extreme sensory sensitivity, and impaired executive functioning (i.e. I can’t make decisions or complete most tasks). I used to beat myself up about this phase, but now I understand that my mind needs the recovery time. And I deserve the downtime.
A current pick from my TBR pile. Hoping to dive in this weekend (see what I did there?)
Tomorrow I am hoping my executive functioning rebounds so I can motivate myself to take a shower. And then I might even treat myself to a pedicure. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I’m more than just a brain.
Yours in less humid, more restful days,
K 😼
And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…I’m feelin’ generous, so I’ve decided to pick TWO winners for my LICORICE ARC GIVEAWAY! Many thanks to all who entered — and therefore subscribed. The winners are dpschlosser and zachary_hardie! (I’ll be emailing you both to get your mailing addresses. Congrats!)
And if you didn’t win this time around, don’t worry. You’ll have another chance next month!