For this letter, I knew I would write about resting and it truthfully hasn’t been exciting to think about. Resting is very important, but not necessarily fun to read about. I mean, maybe I can inspire you regarding my approach to it, but like are you really about to leave this newsletter thinking, “Wow, THAT was a newsletter I’ll randomly think about for a minute.” I highly doubt it. Nonetheless, I am here to chat about rest and how I’ve been partaking in it the last few days.
Quick Note: this will be a photo heavy note! I got good feedback about photos and thought it would be fun to include a few in some letters going forward.
To give you a little insight on why rest is a theme for me, I have to let you know it stems from the month of April! I do a one day fast the first Monday of every month, and a part of it is asking God for a word to anchor the month. That word was rest for April. Given the busyness of this time of year work wise and my impending trip, this was a lovely word to rest (LOL) on. While it’s not always easy to cut the busy switch off, it has been helpful to have something spiritual be a driving force to encourage me to push that button.
As someone that leans more on the extroverted spectrum, I am not a passive rester. Granted, I love to lounge and sleep, but I am best being active. This does not translate to busy, but just doing something and generally around someone. I tried to implement rest by living my personal life at my pace, and filling it with people I can effortlessly give to and doing things I can effortlessly do. For me, it was lunches, casual shopping, nails, and meals, all with my closest friends. I scheduled things in a way that kept me moving, but never rushed. I involved people I can be my full self with, and that aided in me feeling like I wasn’t ‘on’ during any of the events planned. I’ve come to find out I rest best when I get to participate rather than orchestrate, even if I’m the one that got everyone together.
I was also blessed to be able to travel a bit as well, and that truly emphasized the rest point. I am a structured person, so we will always have a travel itinerary, however I love when we can just use it for ideas instead of being super rigid with plans. Our trip to California allowed me and my best friend to retreat from our schedules (and the plethora of alarms) and truly decompress. We wandered, we sat, we ate, and we simply got to be somewhere else on a very loose timetable that we set. I had to take a moment at the beach and thank God because I realized that if you don’t rest for real, you can miss all that He has given you and allowed you to enjoy.
Since we’re smack in the middle of the month and I’m also stepping back into work mode, I have been trying to maintain some intentionality regarding rest by opening my eyes to what’s around me and taking it at my pace when I can. I know once we get in the groove of things, the easiest way to get away from rest is to just go, so it is my goal to end the month knowing I didn’t take things at a sprint. Yes, I will need to get things done, but I don’t want to overwhelm myself, overlook the pretty things, or miss a good moment in the process.
I’m never truly aware of the full reason for the word given at the top of the month, however, I get a few clues as time passes. Rest, for me right now, has been so helpful in hearing God and just embracing what I have. It has also been a good foundation to help me process things for when the busyness kicks back up. Making decisions from a place of rest has to be the smartest move over making them in a tired tizzy.
It’s been a long time since I’ve given a quote, so I will leave some words from Dakota Johnson that I resonate with so much. Given my affinity for my off day, and this letters topic of rest, I thought it was a fitting bit of inspo:
“If I’m not working, if I have a day off on a Monday, then I will sleep as long as I can. Sleep is my number one priority in life.”
A Few Things I Liked
Cinnamon Girl
Many don’t know, but I am a #SadGirl when it comes to my music and Lana Del Rey is my queen. I love emotions and most of her music is full of it, even if it’s generally the same emotion lol. I alternate her discography and recently Cinnamon Girl has popped up and been on repeat.
Hand Massages
Okay - don’t judge me, but guys…this is it. I do not know if this is something you can just get, but I was in the midst of a massage and was like wow, I really appreciate when my hands are massaged. I went down a somewhat short rabbit hole about how busy are hands are and how it’s probably good to do this regularly and that is when I decided to mention it here. Even if not at a massage place, maybe see if the nail lady (or gent) can go at your hands. It’s SO worth it.
Food Recs
I had some good food in California, and prior to, I had a small dinner in Dallas. Dropping two restaurants with two of the best meals I’ve had all month.
Joey Dallas: Cajun Blackened Chicken is 5/5. Loved the warm potatoe and bacon salad. I did sub the coleslaw for broccolini and the meal was *chef’s kiss*
Edendale: Elote corn with bbq shrimp was WOW. I killed my whole plate. I have no words, but truly recommend this place because chill vibes, drinks, and this entree were top tier.
Special mention for the Erewhon’s Royal Defense smoothie, which I really wanted to mention but didn’t since it’s a grocery store item. It was good AND kept my allergies in great shape all day! Funny - I just mentioned it, so like, try it you’d like!
Bonus Item
A stumbled upon You Are A Person, Not A Pickle by Caroline Cala Donofrio of Between A Rock and A Card Place, and I love it! I love wisdom and learning from others, and this letter was her sharing 39 lessons she learned in her 39 years of life. There are a lot of gems here and just good reminders for everyone trying to make it and have fun in life! Sometimes we complicate things and I think from her title alone, we’re encouraged to see and find things to smile about in life!
Thanks for the lovely words about resting!! I love that Erewhon picture so much. ♥️