Hello, March! Hello, chapter three of twelve! What energy are we bringing to this dregs-of-winter month? What can I expect to find in you, and what do I need to bring to the table?
Things I Want to Work on in March:
+Re-calibrating my expectations for how much I can accomplish in a day. There has been a lot of background activity related to my book launch (all great, exciting, pinch-me stuff), and in spite of seeing the calls on my calendar and the discrete tasks added to my daily register of to-dos, I continue to operate under the misapprehension that I can still pull of my normal manifest of duties. This means I barrel straight through my appointed “end of work day” time (6, sometimes 6:30, but always a round number to give myself a place to firmly stop) or end the day feeling like I’ve not yet really finished. Oh, that open tab feeling! Yuck! I am determined to be more realistic. To say no to what I can’t fit in, to be realistic about time frames for completion, to drop some of the little things I need to drop. I find myself growing prickly and fatigued under the current regimen!
+Spending more time outside. I’ve made the snow and cold a convenient excuse for nesting in doors but, as the Scandis put it, “there’s no such thing as bad weather.” I think I will accomplish this by calendaring in post-lunch walks several days this week. If it’s on my calendar, it’s more of a commitment and I can see how other activities will fit in around it. Also less day-of decision-making / “will I or won’t I” type thinking. In general, I am weary with decision fatigue right now; anything I can do to take the guesswork out is a positive in my book.
+Testing the waters of at least one 45-minute Peloton ride. I have this mental block where I think I can’t possibly do one of the 45 minute rides; I always do 30 minute ones. Can I push myself this month?
+At least one afternoon or evening of free writing. I write a lot (a lot!) but am almost always writing with my blog or my book in mind. I want to see what happens if I write with no expectations that the writing will ever land anywhere public, or even be for anything. Write just to see. Flirt with a weird character. Try a different style of poetry. A good prompt I’ve been thinking about on the latter: write a poem that’s anchored in marching anaphora — the first word repeats at the beginning of every line. There is this wild and wonderful poem by Joy Harjo, “She Had Horses,” that reads like creative kindling for me. I read the stanzas and find myself almost itching for a chance to try a similar format. I wonder where it will take me.
+Reducing the amount of times I say “give me a few minutes” to my children. Self-explanatory. Children have an uncanny way of interrupting you just when you’re sitting down, finishing a task, or mid-stroke in something important, but too often I find I am prioritizing my own “completion desire” over their small but urgent requests for help. Just now, writing this exact paragraph, my son came to my studio asking for help, and I made good on this pledge, paused my work, and followed him to his room, where he was attempting to make a handmade frame out of folded paper to house a Polaroid of he and his sister, and was having trouble getting the glue to adhere in the right way. So glad I gave him an immediate yes.
+Summer travel plans! YIKES, I am behind. I somehow managed to enroll my children in a few camps while in a post-holiday fugue state (why, oh God why, do they have camp registration the first week of January?! It is cruel!), but we have a lot of details for our trip to Scandinavia that need tending, plus my 20 year (!??!?) college reunion, which is rapidly approaching, and I’m kind of daydreaming about a getaway with just Landon after all the frenetic activity of this spring! I have been really craving some alone time with him! It’s been such a shut-in winter with all the snow days and no big spring break planned. I’m ready to fly the coop.
Things I Want to Celebrate in March:
+My daughter — she turns nine this Thursday! How?! P.S. – My wonderful girl, captured at age 3. She is, always and forever, my other heartbeat.
+My commitment to exercise every other morning! With all the activity around my book, I pledged that I would not let my every-other-morning exercise routine drop, and I’ve held firm in that! I am so proud of myself, and also — aware that I have needed this for my mental wellbeing right now! A friend of mine recently called exercising “a necessary mental flush” and I couldn’t agree more.
+My fledgling attempts at lower-key entertaining. At the beginning of this year, I told Landon I wanted to entertain more casually and more often. We are, I have to say, dutiful hosts — we like to really do things up. Signature cocktails, elaborate meals requiring trips to four or five specialty store to procure the best ingredients, ironed table linens, fresh flowers! I want it all! But I was finding that our attention to detail was making it virtually impossible for me to actually have anyone over. I told him I wanted more “fractional entertaining” — friends over for wine and take-out; lowkey morning playdates. I have two gatherings on the calendar that fit this bill, and I’m forcing myself to stick to my guns. No elaborate preparations! Just presence!
+Everything we’ve already achieved with Small Wonders. There have already been a lot of “micro-breaks” with regard to Small Wonders. My publisher is thrilled with pre-order volume (I had no context)! We have three events on the calendar for my book tour! I just saw that Target now carries my book! The book has already made its way onto several amazing TBR lists, and is Lit Society’s book club pick for April! Several bookstagrammers have asked for advanced copies! I mean! I write about this a lot, but there are no big breaks. Just tons of tiny ones. Trying to celebrate each and every one for the amazing gifts they are. PINCH ME.
What about you? What are you working on versus celebrating this month?
Sunday Shopping.
+Virtue Labs is running a sale! 25% off AND free ship with code BDAY9. I’m obsessed with their shampoo and conditioner (has a keratin effect on my hair — leaves it very well moisturized and straight). I was so impressed with that set, I just ordered their volumizing primer and texturizing spray.
+In my cart: this spring athleisure set (shorts, half-zip). Keep thinking about pairing with these sneaks!
+Fun taffeta pants in daffodil yellow. Like my Donnis but a little less expensive and slightly different shape.
+This cinch-waist Hill House jacket is SO GOOD. Love the applique and embroidery details.
+CHIC featherweight polo sweater — runs a bit large and slouchy FYI. I have in blue! (Look for less here.)
+Eyelet bandana! So on trend! Love it styled over a denim jacket.
+Gorgeous spring clutch, on sale!
+Fun colorful look for less for my Dorsey leverbacks, AND a well-priced heart statement necklace.
+I just shared my favorite eyeglasses (ideal for narrow faces) but while I was at Warby Parker, I noticed they have these cute pink frames in a narrow width…I’ve never tried color frames! Could they be fun?
VIRTUE LABS SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER (25% OFF WITH BDAY9) // WARBY PARKER FRAMES // BAUBLEBAR EARRINGS // EYELET BANDANA // VARLEY SWEATSHIRT AND SHORTS // APL SNEAKERS // FEATHERWEIGHT POLO SWEATER // HEART NECKLACE // TAFFETA PANTS // HILL HOUSE JACKET // CLUTCH (ON SALE!) // CROCHET COLLAR BABY ONESIE
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You can do a 45 min class! I actually prefer them vs. 30 minutes (although, in this season of life, 30 mins is a win) – I find I can settle into the class more, the warmups are longer (so the actual class is often closer to high-30 min; barely a jump from a reg 30 min time block). Alternatively, if I can’t wrap my mind around a 45 min effort, I’ll do a 30 min class then promise myself I’ll immediately clip into a bookmarked 10 min climb/HIIT/etc. class add on. 40 min (broken up) vs. 45 mins feels more attainable days…
Love these upsides to and reframings for the longer format classes!! I actually frequently do a 30 min ride and then a 10-20 minutes strength or core session afterward, so this shouldn’t be that much of a stretch — you’re right!
xx
I want (need?) March to feel like a breath of fresh air! February is always busy for our family but this year was hectic. I know in my head that March won’t be free of plans and responsibilities, but at the same time I feel like I’ve crossed a finish line! Yesterday was the last birthday celebration (we did school treats, a small friend party and a separate family party why did I do this to myself) for my youngest (6!) and hopefully the last big meeting/commitment for a temporary committee I’m serving on for our church/school. I’m also eager for literal fresh air after some 50+ days (followed by snow and 15 degrees bc this is Michigan after all) and can’t wait to crack the windows sometime this month.
I love the idea of fractional entertaining and may steal it! I lean towards hosting brunches bc it’s my favorite to cook and eat, but with kid sports on the weekends that gets challenging. Maybe just coffee and donuts? Great prompt to think outside the hosting box.
You can totally do a 45 min ride! Just think of it as two separate classes – a 30 min and a 15 min. See? You can totally handle that 😉 And as another commenter said, you can always give yourself permission to dial it all the way back if you go out too hard.
I love and so appreciate this encouragement on Peloton — going to try it. Planning on doing it this Friday. We shall see…I can always stop if it feels too much!!
Yes, the question of “outside the box entertaining”! Simple, low-key. Love the idea of donuts and coffee — who wouldn’t love that?! Plus I think there’s something that puts people at ease about knowing you didn’t move mountains to entertain. I at least feel a kind of wonderful warmth/intimacy when friends invite us over and it’s super casual — just open some chips and pour some wine. Love that.
I feel you on the “why did I do this to myself” front! Despite CLEARLY writing here about “dropping the smaller things,” I said “yes” and actively volunteered to do two things my schedule really doesn’t permit right now…sigh. I am still working on that muscle. But it is a short season, and will get done, or it won’t, and life will go on…
xx
Jen, Just pre-ordered your book and am so excited. Your writing is a balm for me! Having a hard copy also forces me to be more analog, which I’m trying to work into my daily life more frequently.
Gah! Thank you SO much. I am so touched by this — thank you for your longtime readership!!
xx
Not to put something else on your plate… I have preordered Small Wonders on Amazon. Can’t wait! Would love an autographed copy but I am on the West coast and can’t make your book signings… Is there a way to purchase a signed book plate sticker from you? Just a thought!!
Love this idea! Bookplates for Magpies! Whenever you have time for one more project… ha!
Hi Brooke! Per my note above, I’m so floored/honored by this request and interest. Shoot me a note with your best mailing address at hello@magpiebyjenshoop.com and I’ll send one to you 🙂
xx
Oh! This would be so amazing. I would be interested too.
OH and Shan – same as notes above; I’d be thrilled to send you a signed book plate! Just email your best mailing address to hello@magpiebyjenshoop.com
xx
+1!!! (Also a west coaster)
Mia – yes!! Happy to send one your way!!
Hi Claire!! I am so honored you’d ask for this!! I would love to do this. Would you shoot me a note at hello@magpiebyjenshoop.com with your best mailing address? I’ll drop one in the mail in the next two weeks!
xx
Done! And thank you, I hope this is not too much trouble. I love an autographed copy. I would absolutely come to your signing if I was closer!
Not at all! I’m so thrilled and flattered you’d asked! For now, my book tour is limited to a few spots on the East Coast but you never know……
xx
I got green glasses once (and then twice) and LOVED them. Saw them on a few other people first and it felt like a big leap, but I was really sold after trying them. As someone who wears them all the time, it’s a bigger commitment, so I would say go for the pink ones!
OK, convinced. Just ordered the pinks!
xx
So happy you for what you have already achieved with Small Wonders! Congrats!
Gosh, thank you. Means the world to me to have the Magpie community in my corner!! xx
If you come to Denver or Boulder or Aspen for your book tour please share. I would love for you to sign my book.
What i love most about your blog is you’ve expanded my literary knowledge by introducing poets. I was not an English major and found poetry so harsh and technica. The math of the art form and only certain people can do it. I also never really felt I belonged in the English world of white men and women and yet being adopted I do see myself as white.
In other news what ideas do you have for girls trip outfits and athleisure? Gifts up to $75 of a curated bag or something…thinking boat and tote with some fun things.
And thoughts on the As Ever packages of tea sn such….we might need a Bridgerton post
Wait I love this tea company – thanks so much for the intro; I’d not heard of it. Everything about them is very up my alley! Have you ordered anything yet?
Love the idea of the boat and tote, maybe with little romance novel and a favorite lip product or eye mask or something like that!
And thank you as always for the generous words — I’m so glad to hear you enjoy the poetry fold-ins!
I am not planning to come to Colorado at this time (never say never…) but would be happy to send you a signed book plate! If you send me an email at hello@magpiebyjenshoop.com with your mailing address, I’ll drop one in the mail for you in the next week or two 🙂
xx
Landon will probably like this spreadsheet! I found it on Substack from a family that hosts a few times a week https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1q7P8Y5RIbYSRipUI-M-ZTTo108SQoN-NwNHStnYVTPM/edit?usp=drivesdk
Wait I’ve heard about this! Love! Thanks!
I also have the 45-min block w peloton! Finally told myself that I could try it and stop early if I wanted to! That helped!
Nodding my head yes to so many of the above intentions!
I like that idea — “stop early if I need to.” It’s not like running, where you are literally up a creek without a paddle if you change your mind halfway through!
xx