*Image via. Swoon!
My Latest Snag: Mirth Caftan.
I am absolutely ecstatic over the arrival of this gorgeous new caftan from Mirth, generously gifted. I recently gave my writing studio a little face lift and now have a hanging rack for special garments I want to be sure to photograph to share and it’s kind of become like a mood board! I’ve been arranging favorite current-season items there, and this Mirth one is front and center, just waiting for warm weather to arrive. I never get bored of blue and white.
This Week’s Most Popular: Early Spring Finds.
01. ALEX MILL CARDIGAN // 02. BLOCKPRINT COSMETICS POUCH // 03. GINGHAM MINI SKIRT // 04. JULEP TINTED BALM // 05. RATTAN END TABLE // 06. TEXTURED SWEATER JACKET // 07. GIRLS STRIPED BIB COLLAR SHIRT // 08. MAREA CASITA DRESS // 09. TARGET BLOCKPRINT DRESS // 10. HUNZA G SWIMSUIT* // 11. GINZING GLOW-BOOSTING GEL MOISTURIZER
*ICYMI: A full review of this suit here.
Weekend Musings: This, Too, Shall Pass.
A couple of months ago, I wrote about “catastrophizing,” or a tendency to assume the worst possible outcome. The comments on this post were fascinating — everything from: “I don’t think I’ve ever had a single one of these thoughts? Lol. Life is a rich tapestry!” to “My therapist told me that overachievers and people who are used to being correct are prone to catastrophizing bc we think all our thoughts are true.” Wow! But one comment has really stuck with me over the past many months, and in contexts well beyond the aforementioned. Rachel wrote:
“One of the most transformative thoughts for managing my anxiety has been learning that anxious thoughts pass. This feels simple, but it is challenging to remember that in the moment. I’ve gotten much better when experiencing anxious thoughts to think to myself, “Just wait. This will pass. You will feel better really soon.” Sometimes even setting a timer helps! 30 minutes on the clock and often that anxious moment has passed.”
I cannot tell you how many times I’ve leaned on this. I even borrowed the sentiment when I was accidentally late to an event at my daughter’s school. I felt badly in the aftermath, and I consciously thought to myself: “This is not a good headspace. But this, too, will pass.”
I think the same when I’m up at night in a spiral of worry: anxious thoughts pass. I visualize them as swift-moving clouds, even straining to imagine them alongside other, friendlier-looking clouds, attempting to trivialize or at least rightsize them alongside better thoughts.
How do you make your way through a temporary rainstorm of worrisome thoughts?
Shopping Break.
+Happy jeans!
+If you missed out on my Casita dress from Marea (I know a lot of you loved this but it flew and there are only a few left in a few sizes!), this Mille has a similar vibe, and the Casita comes in a few other fully-stocked colors, too. And you can get a similar boho/blockprint vibe with this Target steal.
+While we’re talking Target: don’t miss these striped button-downs with matching shorts.
+Such a pretty Easter/springtime wreath.
+This statement platform sandal is just SO GOOD.
+Insanely expensive, but so gorgeous.
+Love these scalloped planters.
+Wicker footed urn! Such a chic statement!
+Adore this woven cardigan. (Under $50.)
+Cute scalloped storage bins. Sweet for a nursery!
+Dying over these sandals for a little.
+Just bought my children some of these as a little spring surprise. Wind them up and put them in an envelope or box and they will fly out!
+In one section of the built-ins in our family room, we keep paper, coloring books, markers, etc. I just organized their paper using these trays and keep their markers and crayons in personalized crayon boxes like these.
As a survivor d much adversity, anxiety, depression and disappointment, I have learn to live by “This too shall pass” and “ It could be worse”. It has helped me to face the difficulties that we all experience periodically.
Hi Mikki – Thank you so much for weighing in so vulnerably. So glad these phrases have helped you as much as they’ve helped me, too! Sending you the best vibes.
xx
I’ve found — and chatting with girlfriends who experience similar anxiety spiraling — that getting really busy and distracted by a specific task helps me ‘break’ the spiral. I once noticed that diving fully into a puzzle once broke a several-day spiral, but in the day-to-day a challenging but not too overwhelming task distracts my mind enough that I’m able to move on. That probably lends itself to the thought that overachievers are more prone to this — completing a task sparks joy! Ha
The other – a short, voice note word-vomiting whatever is causing me anxiety to one of those girlfriends – just getting it off my chest to someone who gets it helps it feel less heavy.
Love these and completely agree with the strategy of digging into something narrow and attainable. Just having a focus on something else is useful!
xx
Ooh I think recognizing the anxious feelings and their patterns is the key to releasing them. I’ve learned that my most worrisome thoughts occur as I’m laying in bed, just before I fall asleep. I can generally remind myself “this won’t bother me quite so much in the morning” and let it go. And if it does still bother me, then it’s worth addressing in the new day.
I love this framework. Thanks for sharing!
xx