July Journal
It has been a few months since I have done a journal but I am trying to get back into it so let’s chat July.
Highs
Overall I had a pretty amazing month. I hate to say it but it felt like life was resuming to a rhythm that felt familiar. Where I live in Queensland there are still social distancing measurements in place but overall we can still move around locally quite freely. I have an umbrella collaboration launching late August so Michael and I spent the start of the month working on a little video for that launch. To be transparent, I had been anxious and nervous about this video since November last year. But like everything it is way more daunting in your mind and I am really happy with what we were able to create.
Mid month we were invited to have a little staycation at my favourite Brisbane hotel - The Calile. I don’t know about you but in places that are so beautiful I get overwhelmed and find it hard to sit still. We stayed in the most beautiful room and it was the best two days after what has felt like a rough 6 months. If you want to be extremely envious or you would like to live through me, make sure to check out my IG Story Highlights of our stay.
Post-staycation it was time to kick straight back into a hectic few weeks balancing client projects and my latest collection launch - Still Life. I was definitely hesitant on how the collection (being a non-essential expense during a recession) but I have been so blown away by the love and support. To anyone who has ordered or shared/liked this collection - you mean the world to me thank you.
Poppies have been in season this month so that is always a high.
Lows
June/July I was falling into the depths of comparison pretty bad which is never a fun place to be. July meant really getting back on track, putting the blinders on to avoid distraction from what I really want. I also just bought Pandora Sykes new book ‘How do we know we are doing it right?’ which I am hoping will give me some more food for thought. Having to get all my personal finances together, my BAS done and all information for my tax return done. A general low is that it seems that no one wants to say how much they want to sell their house for or tell you how much it sold for after.
Epiphanies during lockdown
To be very open, I was going through it a bit during lockdown like many of you. I picked up the book called ‘The Courage To Be Disliked’. I don’t think the title of this book does it justice. To give you a quick rundown it is a conversation between a youth and a philosopher discussing Adlerian theory. First chapter or so in and it felt harsh. Posing the question that if you’re feeling in a state, you’re doing so because it serves you in someway or helps you achieve certain goals. When you’re not feeling the best the last thing you want to read is ‘you want this in some way' right?! So I am sitting there getting worked up chatting to Michael about it and he says ‘well what possible goal could this be serving you?’ I sat for a minute and I am not trying to be dramatic but it felt like an epiphany. I felt I was pushing myself to a breaking point so that the choice would no longer be mine to slow down. I would be forced to in one way or another. I wouldn’t feel the guilt of slowing down because I wouldn’t have a choice if that makes sense.
From that night on I have made the conscious effort to slow down. I don’t want to push myself until I don’t have a choice. I am giving slightly longer lead times, giving myself the time and space I need to operate at my best. I am giving myself time away from work (hm, I am writing this on the weekend though so maybe I am not doing 100%)
Looking forward into August
Leos, where you at?! I have my birthday on the 17th so I am hoping that nothing drastic happens with COVID in our state and we can head away for the weekend to the coast since we haven’t been since Feb. I am also hoping to have my income taxes finalised this month so I can see where that sits and then get to chatting to a mortgage broker. Also by the end of the month my umbrella with BLUNT will be out and available which I am ITCHING to share!
New & In Review
Ceramics from Kura Studios. I bought one of their ceramic paint palettes this month and was gifted their incense holder from Makers Mrkt. Both I absolutely love. I don’t like to play favourites with my incense holders but if I could only keep one I think it would be this one.
Cushions from Clo Studios. I have been looking for new cushions since we got our new couch. I wanted a mix of striped cushions but could never find the right colours that would be nice together but not the same. So when Clo Studios put up a new release I added to cart without a second thought. They arrived and are absolute perfection! Shop here.
Sculpt Facial Tool from Imbibe. Full transparency I did do sponsored content on IG for this product but I absolutely love it. This product truly got me out of my rut and back into taking time with my skincare. Shop here.
Kea Top from Ease The Label. You may have already seen this top on my instagram but it was love at first sight and I will probably post in it another 30 times this year. It is everything I love - linen, pink, puffy sleeves, backless, comfy! Obsessed. Shop here.
Monthly Favourites
Favourite Makeup… Mecca Max single eyeshadow in Like Whatever Shop here
Skincare… Sculpt facial tool by Imbibe Shop here
Piece of clothing… Kea top from Ease The Label Shop here
Watching… Black AF, Indian Matchmaker & Love on the Spectrum
Reading… The Courage to be Disliked by Ichiro Kishimi & Fumitake Koga