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.
Keep These Words Close.
I’ve made this piece available in a gorgeous letterpress print format here.
Shop the letterpress print here
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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