Books have been a source of comfort to me during the past few months. I have noticed a substantial change in my attention span and in the preferences for what I read— as my brain swells to take in all of the changing realities of the day. Have you noticed a difference when you sit down to read?

I have been leaning hard into pleasure lately. You? I recommend it. Like, really. Pleasure is an important part of feeling the JOY of being alive. We all need some of that. The simpler, the better. Why not make a list right now?

Some losses may flow through us easily like a breeze moves a curtain. Others may stick and stay around for a while, popping up intermittently and without warning. It is likely that we will experience a grief or two or three during our lifetime that stops us in our tracks. Grief demands our attention—make no mistake about that.

As a white person who is privileged by structures of institutional racism in America—I am committed to actively and mindfully utilizing these unearned advantages to "take on the problems borne of oppression as my own, without remove or distance", as professor and writer Roxane Gay defines it. I want to exercise allyship as a verb, not a self-proclaimed noun. This intention is something I must choose every day.

Lemon Bundt Cake + Homemade Banana Bread Recipes - enjoy!

Personal recommendations for a new book, TV show, podcast, and documentary

Important tenets of health— like eating nutrient-dense foods, sleeping well, getting outside regularly, moving our bodies, spending time with our peeps, stimulating our brains, and embracing moments of letting it all go (by watching Netflix, for example, or by stepping outside or taking a bath) act as protectors to our physical, mental, and emotional selves.

By the time our eyelids flutter open, small bits of morning light have started seeping through our window blinds. We no longer feel we are waking in the dark of night each morning. We can see the familiar landscape of mountains and trees burst with green. It is lush and teeming with new life.

Quite a few readers asked me about how I manage clutter in my home. I have decided to treat paper clutter separately from other forms of clutter as the systems I use are so different from one another. We will focus on one at a time.

I have been following The Holistic Psychologist on Instagram for some time now (otherwise known as Dr. Nicole LePera). Have you met yet? If not, consider yourselves properly introduced!! Nicole LePera is a wonderful mental health resource who produces content at your fingertips!

Know that the first step is being aware that we are feeling overwhelmed in a moment we are sharing with someone we care about. That awareness is everything. It may start out that we have the awareness after we have hurt our loved ones but soon enough, we will begin noticing in the middle of a reactive moment— and with some practice, before we have responded at all.

In Salt Lake City, Utah— it is clearly winter. If you happen to live elsewhere, feel free to adapt your answers to whatever season you may find yourself in!

January has settled deep into our bones now. The chill of it. The bleakness. And yes, even the beauty of it all. It is a simplified view. Skeletal. Austere. We woke this morning to a thermometer reading 3 degrees. The darkness of the new day wrapped around our newly-awakened eyes like an unwelcome guest.

Let’s get to know one another a bit better! I will share some random facts about me that you may not know—and you can share a few things about yourself that I may not know. Don’t be shy now! Let’s have a little fun!

The start of a new year holds such promise, doesn’t it? Out with the old and in with the new! We have our planners in hand. We are looking forward to beginning with a clean slate. Whether you choose to make goals for yourself or to set intentions or to choose a focus word like I did last year (see here), or to pass on all this nonsense—I am curious to hear how you approach the new year!

The holiday season often takes on a pace of its own. Have you noticed this? Without a clear vision of what makes the season fulfilling to us, we can end up feeling wasted, depleted, sad, and in debt in no time!

Growing up, I always looked forward to the holiday season. My mother remains a “more is more” human when it comes to anything remotely festive in nature. Thanksgiving was an all day affair.

We are experiencing some downright chilly days here in Salt Lake City. The fall colors are at a peak—the reds, yellows, and oranges dot the landscapes around us. The air brings in that earthy smell with a hint of fire.

Yesterday afternoon, I had a few moments to sneak outside and visit our porch chair. I felt like a flower that tilts its head in order to find the afternoon light. The sun was resting late in the sky but I could still feel its glow and warmth.

Like any relationship, when we take more than we give—our actions destroy the very relationship we have come to depend on and rely on. Our dependence is especially clear when it comes to how we treat the planet and our cohabitants.