“I was vibing with the steel drummer in our hotel lobby.” Are you me? Am I you? I love this and this would be me.
I love all these suggestions- reading this definitely triggered me to think long and hard about how to implement some of these ideas into my week. I’ve been really stressed and overwhelmed and need to re-center! This was perfect timing to land in my inbox.
Want to know a REALLY random thing I watch when I need a creative palette cleanser? On Disney Plus there is a Frozen 2 Documentary and I swear it’s the most invigorating kick in the butt ever and I watch it every few months. It’s so beautiful and heartwarming and creative and a little heartbreaking. I recommend it to so many adults!!!
I'm so glad I read this on the eve of LDW. Taking it as a sign to unplug, slow down, and try all of your palate cleanser suggestions this long weekend. Thank you, thank you!!!
Traci, I just love your writing so much, and this was a much-needed creative palate cleanser! So much of what you wrote is relatable, especially about feeling overstimulated at times. Going to save these ideas for when I need to reset. x
To be included in this post as I myself have been on a journey (path?) to my inner creative is truly a gift. I'm beyond excited for what's to come as you took time to notice and refresh.
The four-shirted husband LOL. I so relate. Mine is the same!
Learning something new or listening to someone with an opposing point of view always gets my mind going. I imagine for me coloring would feel like doing my nails. Enough concentration to do the activity but also enough brain space to let your mind wander. I'll try it!!
It looks like you guys had the best time on your trip! Thanks for sharing this with us!
I loveee that idea....it’s SO important and so underrated (listening to an alt POV). It’s definitely something many shy away from, but I love how you dive right in to spark creativity. You really are the at-home-nail queen, so it makes perfect sense.
Wandering is pivotal for me too… you’re the best! XO!
Such wonderful (and MUCH needed) summer-> school year transition / reset ideas. I'll be taking all of these with me into LDW. PS: I am veryyyyy excited to read more about indigenous creators. I hope that is up soon! Xx
You are so kind! THANK YOU! I hope you have the best and most relaxing LDW ever! I will try and get a post out in the near future for sure! Thank you for seeing the value!!
Introverted extroverts unite!!! TRACI. You make me laugh *and* you inspire me? I'm so glad your corner of the internet exists -- I just love what you have to say. Also, as someone who is currently in desperate need for a clear head, I particularly liked this line: "Genuine joy leads to gratitude, and gratitude helps me think clearly." Mmk gonna go buy an adult coloring book byeeeee
We do exist. Inspiration + giggles = THE ULTIMATE GOAL! Mic drop. I should just leave Substack now—my work here is DONE! :) THANK YOU so much for the kind words.
First, Aruba!! I didn’t even know you were on vacation, it sounds like you had the best time! I also (mostly) ditch my phone and never bring my laptop on vacation. It’s sooo worth it to just take a pause from ‘real life’ and reset. I love that you did that and didn’t care about the perfect outfits. Vacation should never be about the outfits anyway.
Second, my favorite hobbies are knitting and sewing (fashion is always there somehow 😅). It’s so satisfying to take a few balls of yarn and turn them into a sweater (especially one I can wear now that I’m better at it). It’s slow in a world where everything is too fast, which makes me appreciate it more. And it’s the easiest trick to stay off my phone, which is another reason I love it so much. I can’t watch TV without knitting—it keeps my hands busy and clears my brain so I can actually focus on what I’m watching.
But coloring books… ohh I love those too! I used to own a few, but these days I’m mostly coloring Elsa, Anna, or another princess (using the specific colors my daughter chooses), so I wouldn’t necessarily call it creative. Very tempted by an adult one!!
Third, I guess I’m new here because I hadn’t read your ‘why’ post. It must have been so difficult to write, but you did it beautifully and I’m just really happy you’re here. You have such a strong, confident energy, and I’m always so excited to read your posts or comments on mine because I know they’ll either make me smile or laugh. So thanks for that too!
I have to sneak around like I’m scared someone’s gonna rob my house LOL. I really thought it was going to be this “blogger in the wild” moment, but nope. It was just an average mom trying to chill moment.
I’m still blown away that you can knit! Danielle knits too and made the cutest cobalt sweater. Maybe I need to learn? Knitting feels like such a good screen-time alternative (just like coloring). My other fave is an old-school puzzle, but 300 pieces max because ya girl gets tired and gets neck pain.
I have to send you my Pokémon drawings, I think they’re actually pretty good. We went through big Anna and Elsa phases here too, so I totally get the hype LOL.
And thank you for the kind words about that post. I wrote it early on bc I felt like a total fraud posting all these pics of me & my outfits. I felt like I owed it to my friends (and myself) to share that there was so much quiet work behind the scenes to get there. That addition at the end was my “extra credit,” and it means so much that you actually read it. Truly.
You should totally knit it’s the best! And it’s easier than it looks—a bit of YouTube and you’re good to go! And yesss, puzzles! We used to do girls’ weekend trips and spend the whole day on puzzles, we had the best timeee (except for the neck pain part, that wasn’t so nice). Wow, life before kids… feels like another lifetime!
the state of overstimulation you were in is exactly what I feel like I’m in right now and this post might have been exactly what I needed! Discovered you at the most perfect time 🫶🏼 also as someone who enjoys reading both fiction and non-fiction, I think the break from non-fiction is so important! Constant learning and taking in so much information adds to the over stimulation sometimes. Silent patient js such a good holiday read and I’m so glad you’re feeling better!!
Maryam! WELCOME! I’m so glad we crossed paths! You’re so right—sometimes reading 52 health/wellness books on how to live a longer life just stresses me out when I eat a Kit Kat at night 😂 A break is very needed.
Thank you for reading, for the comment, and for being here!!!
This post came at exactly the right time for me!! I am nodding furiously to so many things.. the packing paralysis, the push/pull of chasing after something, doing well and then feeling undeserving… your husband’s ’thumbs up’ 🤣 you absolutely nailed it. Sounds like it was such a special trip ☀️
I am SO glad. The thumbs up is honestly the most passive-aggressive thing ever. My other favorite is when I tell him about some traumatic event in my day (like someone looking at me the wrong way) and he just says, “Who cares?” I CARE!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
Best trip...so grateful for the special time.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting! You know I’m a BIG FAN of your work.
Those are the best. When my kids get unruly I print them out & force them to hyper-fixate on word search puzzles! I also love a good table puzzle. Except my neck starts to hurt, haha!
So glad you got a nice break! My partner does the thumbs up emoji too, except it doesn’t get its own message, I just get it in reaction form 🙄🤣 I also made the switch a few years ago from reading only things that would be “useful” to reading fiction, and I’ve never looked back! Thanks for sharing all of this - it’s inspired me to get to get back into coloring!
“I was vibing with the steel drummer in our hotel lobby.” Are you me? Am I you? I love this and this would be me.
I love all these suggestions- reading this definitely triggered me to think long and hard about how to implement some of these ideas into my week. I’ve been really stressed and overwhelmed and need to re-center! This was perfect timing to land in my inbox.
Want to know a REALLY random thing I watch when I need a creative palette cleanser? On Disney Plus there is a Frozen 2 Documentary and I swear it’s the most invigorating kick in the butt ever and I watch it every few months. It’s so beautiful and heartwarming and creative and a little heartbreaking. I recommend it to so many adults!!!
Listen, the carrier pigeon is on its way to you!!! Ummm okay, so Frozen 2 Doc Edition Movie Night in my future!!!
I'm so glad I read this on the eve of LDW. Taking it as a sign to unplug, slow down, and try all of your palate cleanser suggestions this long weekend. Thank you, thank you!!!
Yay!! Have the best weekend. I’ll be living my best life in my Clarins mask.
Traci, I just love your writing so much, and this was a much-needed creative palate cleanser! So much of what you wrote is relatable, especially about feeling overstimulated at times. Going to save these ideas for when I need to reset. x
I’m so happy it resonated with you!!
To be included in this post as I myself have been on a journey (path?) to my inner creative is truly a gift. I'm beyond excited for what's to come as you took time to notice and refresh.
Thank you for inspiring me in more ways thank you know! Keep shining friend— you are so special!
The four-shirted husband LOL. I so relate. Mine is the same!
Learning something new or listening to someone with an opposing point of view always gets my mind going. I imagine for me coloring would feel like doing my nails. Enough concentration to do the activity but also enough brain space to let your mind wander. I'll try it!!
It looks like you guys had the best time on your trip! Thanks for sharing this with us!
Cheering you on, always! <3
I loveee that idea....it’s SO important and so underrated (listening to an alt POV). It’s definitely something many shy away from, but I love how you dive right in to spark creativity. You really are the at-home-nail queen, so it makes perfect sense.
Wandering is pivotal for me too… you’re the best! XO!
Such wonderful (and MUCH needed) summer-> school year transition / reset ideas. I'll be taking all of these with me into LDW. PS: I am veryyyyy excited to read more about indigenous creators. I hope that is up soon! Xx
You are so kind! THANK YOU! I hope you have the best and most relaxing LDW ever! I will try and get a post out in the near future for sure! Thank you for seeing the value!!
Introverted extroverts unite!!! TRACI. You make me laugh *and* you inspire me? I'm so glad your corner of the internet exists -- I just love what you have to say. Also, as someone who is currently in desperate need for a clear head, I particularly liked this line: "Genuine joy leads to gratitude, and gratitude helps me think clearly." Mmk gonna go buy an adult coloring book byeeeee
We do exist. Inspiration + giggles = THE ULTIMATE GOAL! Mic drop. I should just leave Substack now—my work here is DONE! :) THANK YOU so much for the kind words.
Color away, queen!! <3
NEVER LEAVE ME!!!
Ok I have so much to say!!
First, Aruba!! I didn’t even know you were on vacation, it sounds like you had the best time! I also (mostly) ditch my phone and never bring my laptop on vacation. It’s sooo worth it to just take a pause from ‘real life’ and reset. I love that you did that and didn’t care about the perfect outfits. Vacation should never be about the outfits anyway.
Second, my favorite hobbies are knitting and sewing (fashion is always there somehow 😅). It’s so satisfying to take a few balls of yarn and turn them into a sweater (especially one I can wear now that I’m better at it). It’s slow in a world where everything is too fast, which makes me appreciate it more. And it’s the easiest trick to stay off my phone, which is another reason I love it so much. I can’t watch TV without knitting—it keeps my hands busy and clears my brain so I can actually focus on what I’m watching.
But coloring books… ohh I love those too! I used to own a few, but these days I’m mostly coloring Elsa, Anna, or another princess (using the specific colors my daughter chooses), so I wouldn’t necessarily call it creative. Very tempted by an adult one!!
Third, I guess I’m new here because I hadn’t read your ‘why’ post. It must have been so difficult to write, but you did it beautifully and I’m just really happy you’re here. You have such a strong, confident energy, and I’m always so excited to read your posts or comments on mine because I know they’ll either make me smile or laugh. So thanks for that too!
Excited to see what teacher Traci dresses like!
I have to sneak around like I’m scared someone’s gonna rob my house LOL. I really thought it was going to be this “blogger in the wild” moment, but nope. It was just an average mom trying to chill moment.
I’m still blown away that you can knit! Danielle knits too and made the cutest cobalt sweater. Maybe I need to learn? Knitting feels like such a good screen-time alternative (just like coloring). My other fave is an old-school puzzle, but 300 pieces max because ya girl gets tired and gets neck pain.
I have to send you my Pokémon drawings, I think they’re actually pretty good. We went through big Anna and Elsa phases here too, so I totally get the hype LOL.
And thank you for the kind words about that post. I wrote it early on bc I felt like a total fraud posting all these pics of me & my outfits. I felt like I owed it to my friends (and myself) to share that there was so much quiet work behind the scenes to get there. That addition at the end was my “extra credit,” and it means so much that you actually read it. Truly.
YOU ARE THE BEST!!!
You should totally knit it’s the best! And it’s easier than it looks—a bit of YouTube and you’re good to go! And yesss, puzzles! We used to do girls’ weekend trips and spend the whole day on puzzles, we had the best timeee (except for the neck pain part, that wasn’t so nice). Wow, life before kids… feels like another lifetime!
Ps : you’re the best!!!
the state of overstimulation you were in is exactly what I feel like I’m in right now and this post might have been exactly what I needed! Discovered you at the most perfect time 🫶🏼 also as someone who enjoys reading both fiction and non-fiction, I think the break from non-fiction is so important! Constant learning and taking in so much information adds to the over stimulation sometimes. Silent patient js such a good holiday read and I’m so glad you’re feeling better!!
Maryam! WELCOME! I’m so glad we crossed paths! You’re so right—sometimes reading 52 health/wellness books on how to live a longer life just stresses me out when I eat a Kit Kat at night 😂 A break is very needed.
Thank you for reading, for the comment, and for being here!!!
This post came at exactly the right time for me!! I am nodding furiously to so many things.. the packing paralysis, the push/pull of chasing after something, doing well and then feeling undeserving… your husband’s ’thumbs up’ 🤣 you absolutely nailed it. Sounds like it was such a special trip ☀️
I am SO glad. The thumbs up is honestly the most passive-aggressive thing ever. My other favorite is when I tell him about some traumatic event in my day (like someone looking at me the wrong way) and he just says, “Who cares?” I CARE!!!!!!!!!!!! ;)
Best trip...so grateful for the special time.
Thank you so much for reading and supporting! You know I’m a BIG FAN of your work.
Love this! Thanks for the inspiration. My favorite non-screen activity is word search puzzles.
Those are the best. When my kids get unruly I print them out & force them to hyper-fixate on word search puzzles! I also love a good table puzzle. Except my neck starts to hurt, haha!
So glad you got a nice break! My partner does the thumbs up emoji too, except it doesn’t get its own message, I just get it in reaction form 🙄🤣 I also made the switch a few years ago from reading only things that would be “useful” to reading fiction, and I’ve never looked back! Thanks for sharing all of this - it’s inspired me to get to get back into coloring!
Coloring is so underrated. Imagine instead of book clubs there were coloring clubs, too!?
And yay team fiction! I’m happy to join the squad as a new addition.
And the reaction form 🤣🤣
Sometimes I read about things like silent reading get togethers and I’m like 🙋🏻♀️🙋🏻♀️ A coloring club!? I am so there
Woah woah woah, wait— silent reading is a thing???? That sounds amazing!!!!
I’ve only read about it. Haven’t seen one IRL sadly!
An EXCELLENT palate cleanser ❤️
Thank you, Ariane!!!!
Such a great post and so meaningful, thank you. My palate cleanser is a ‘crafternoon’. 😂 I’ve been on a bag charm-making kick!
CARA!!! I need to know more!!!!!!
I want to start coloring now
🤣🤣 DO IT!
The word could be ending and he’d be like: 👍
This is me in a pre-bedtime thought frenzy trying to have a deep conversation with my husband and he falls asleep mid-talk. Sigh.
Mine does that as a joke (closes his eyes in the middle of my convo) and it lowkey enrages me 🤣🤣