#6: You won't break my soul
Feeling stuck in a chaos-spiral, some great manicures and internet finds, thoughts on the importance of reading, and other emotional things.
Hello, all! Today’s letter is coming to you a little later than usual because, well, school has started and I have felt like I’ve been running around with my hair on fire for two weeks. I admittedly don’t love this feeling and I am hoping that things get in a better groove this week. We have a new schedule at school and I am teaching a new class, so things are just a bit wild to say the least. We’re all just trying to get in the swing of it, I think. I hope your week is looking good so far. Here is a newsletter to keep you going. ❤️
Posts I saved this week:
A couple of summers ago, I hosted a series of girls’ nights at my house, each with a theme. It was so much fun and I wish I’d had the time to do it this past summer. I’m considering doing something similar throughout the year, and this craft idea has me realllly wanting to start it up again.
I basically live in a library already (we have books in literally every room of our house), but I love this “book bedroom” idea with wrap-around shelves and a cozy reading chair.
If you follow The Home Edit, you know how fantastic they are already, but then Clea had to go and throw her daughter a Taylor Swift themed birthday party with ALLTHETHINGS. So now, I’m just dreaming of having someone throw ME a Taylor Swift party.
Randomly came across this meteorologist’s video of interviewing his daughter on the first day of school from kindergarten until senior year, and of course choked up. What a fantastic way to document how quickly our kids grow up and how much they change as they grow.
Dopamine manicures:
I have been into really bright manicures lately, but have yet to create a really good one for myself. I see photos all the time of what can only be described as “dopamine nails”—looks so bright and outlandish that the only appropriate response is YASS—and I feel like I can’t recreate them for myself very well. Last night, the colors I chose looked great until I actually painted them on and then they looked like a primary school poster, so I ended up just using a lavender polish instead. But I am determined to crack this code and make one of these at home, responsibilities be damned. Might just need to call Claws by Erica and call it a day.
Some thoughts on the privilege of reading:
According to this post (which is admittedly a little meme-y and coated in privilege), the largest international study on reading showed that the biggest predictor of academic success was how much kids are read to or spend time reading books. I can’t find the exact study the post refers to, but there are a lot of other similar studies with similar findings. I also don’t love that we focus so much on “academic” success (yes, that is coming from a teacher) because that can be incredibly subjective.
This whole topic is actually something I talk about with my students (whether they believe me or not); not only does it help with academics, it helps with mental health.
Of course, reading for pleasure is a privilege that some families do not have, and that factor should not go unchecked. Books are expensive, taking kids to the library might be a struggle for transportation or access, and when things like hunger and poverty are in the mix, perhaps reading is not at the top of the list. Not to mention, many people grow up without ever really learning, even in today’s world where information is everywhere. But it’s not too late; if you’ve never heard of Oliver Speaks, now is the time to get inspired by his story.
Reading helps us empathize, shows us different perspectives outside of our own, and allows us to experience other worlds and stories from anywhere in the world. And this is not reading academically, this is reading for fun. I believe that reading is a gift we all deserve, and if it were more accessible and encouraged, our kids would be doing a lot better overall.
When a flower grows wild…
Our little wildflower Daisy started PreK last week. We made friendship bracelets for us to wear and think of each other if we were feeling sad. She picked out her outfit and we decorated her backpack. She had a wonderful first (and second) day, and then promptly got a cold and had to miss a day. Naturally. 😂 It has been a true whirlwind of emotions (which I want to write about more on the blog this week), but overall, I am just feeling so proud of her and proud to be her mom.
A dose of poetry:
This week’s poem is a short one but it’s something I had swirling around in my head that I needed to get out. It started as just a note in my phone and sat there for a few weeks, because I thought I’d do something else with it. Then I just decided that was all it needed to be. That this sentiment is enough. I hope (or don’t ?) that it resonates with you.
Last thing:
I have felt more scattered at the start of the school year than ever. It usually takes a little bit to get back in the swing of things, but this year, it feels like it’s taking longer. Maybe it’s because Daisy also started school or because my schedule is different his year—I’m not really sure—but either way, I am not feeling totally myself just yet. As always I am finding it difficult to do everything, even though I KNOW I can’t do everything and SHOULDN’T do everything. Maybe it’s just the vicious cycle of womanhood/motherhood/teaching? I know what I need to do and maybe if I type it here, I’ll actually do it: I need to give myself grace.
I hope your week is wonderful and focused and lovely. Here’s to us being there for each other and ourselves.
