I’ve wrote about this sentiment a few years ago, and then adapted it into an entry in my book, but I felt like it deserved its own blog post, because I come back to this reminder so frequently when I’m the sticky bits of something. I re-shared these words on Instagram last week and was bowled over by how many Magpies messaged me to say: “You have no idea how much I needed to hear this today,” stuck in the middle of a sleep regression, a difficult relationship, the beginning of building a business, a career change, etcetera. So if you need to hear it today: if it feels hard, it is hard. Keep going.
*****
While I was on the stationary bike this week, the instructor said:
“If it feels hard right now, it should.”
A good reminder if you’re in the sticky bits of parenting, business, writing — or anything calling for ambition.
It’s not harder just for you. You’re not doing anything wrong. It’s because a lot of the worthwhile stuff in life requires elbow grease.
Welcome to the murky middle of something good. When it feels hard, it’s because it is hard.
Post-Scripts.
+More reminders for rainy days.
+Magpies share their favorite comfort rituals.
Shopping Break.
+This fringe wrap sweater is on-trend and on sale for like $50 right now (use code SALE80).
+Why do I feel like I’d be 20% cooler wearing these jeans?! They have an intrinsic rock and roll energy. A Mick/Steve vibe for sure. I also have this slim-fit pima long sleeve in both colors in my cart for fall. I LOVE their short sleeved version.
+20% off sitewide at Cadets. (The sale discount deepens to 30% off tomorrow and 40% off on Thursday but inventory will be picked over by then, PSA.). If you’re lucky, you can snag a pair of the pants we’re all obsessed with or stock up on the best shorts for boys! They’re a lightweight performance material so he’s happy but the colors and length are cute — look nice enough (when paired with a polo) to wear to dinner, etc. He and my husband both also love their cardio shorts for fitness.
+Drooling over Nili Lotan fall, especially their Western Edit — it’s like a Tribeca version of Ralph Lauren. If you’re a Shon pant fan, the tan washed color of this pair is SO GOOD, and also the suede version…!
+Virtue is running a BOGO 50% off deal on select haircare products! I can’t underscore how much I love their full shampoo and conditioner, and right now, you get one or the other at half price when you buy the bundle.
+These $148 sunglasses have an off-duty supermodel vibe.
+Love this quilted funnel neck for layering over fall athletic wear.
+Thinking ahead to peak fall hygge with this cashmere bomber jacket, these slippers, and Leset pointelle in every color.
+If you’re scrambling to finish back to school shopping, State really makes the best backpacks in such fun, kid-forward patterns. I’d eyed them for years and then ordered each of my kids one for our trip to Europe. I really like the laptop/iPad sleeve at back (made it so easy to find on the plane), plus they have two water bottle holders and a roomy front pocket. Very lightweight on their own and have a little internal organizer for pens, pencils, etc!
+Still obsessed and evangelical about this beautiful hand soap / lotion duo. So chic and smells so expensive. (I mean, it’s not cheap, but it feels like it belongs in the fanciest spa you’ve ever been to.)
+Two Quince discoveries: this cashmere rugby sweater and this Doen-inspired blouse.
+For Mother’s Day, Landon bought me a dried wildflower wreath for the front door. I adore it and it’s going to be my new spring-summer door decor. I have one of the pinecone wreaths from S&L for true winter, but ordered this faux magnolia for fall!
+Speaking of S&L, they’re offering free shipping on everything for a limited time, so it’s a fantastic moment to order bulky / expensive to ship items like dining room chairs and headboards if you’ve been eyeing something. (Also, the pillows I ordered earlier this year for our family room — after we, sob!, destroyed the designer fabric ones our interior decorator had custom made for us — are on sale and ship free.)
+While there: loving their. new light fixtures here and here.
+On the new headboard note: also consider treating yourself to one of these incredible mattresses while they’re up to 30% off as an early LDW promo! We got the midnight dusk elite, which is currently an amazing 30% off with code ELITE30!!!, for our guest bedroom and have had three separate guests comment on its comfort, unprompted! I also stayed up there while sick earlier this summer and was in heaven. Honestly, sad to return to my own bed. Hopefully we’ll eventually upgrade our mattress too!
+One other bedding note. If you’re sending a teen off to college, this signature comforter is incredible — it has the look and fill/loft of a perfectly made duvet but you don’t need to stuff the duvet insert inside. Ultra soft and plush. Loveee. We have one of these and I always look forward to cycling it onto our primary bed!
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