September Journal
So before October is over I wanted to share a new practice with you all, a more informal monthly journal cataloguing recent events and some favorite finds from throughout the month. Blogging for the sake of blogging, just like the good ol’ days!
The Highs
September is my birthday month! My band mates made me an avocado key lime pie for my bday which we ate on the floor after band rehearsal and washed down with red wine. BEST FRENZ. And Logan got me the record player I really wanted — finally replacing our old janky one that broke two years ago.
I re-centered my focus on Self Care and boundaries this month, as September always has a way of piling lots of work and personal responsibilities on my plate. My self care focus was a commitment to take two relaxed yoga classes a week, exercise regularly, drink lots of herbal tea, take my supplements daily, meditate and journal more. I also made sure not to over book my time as new work comes my way.
In mid-September I got to spend a bit of time with some wonderful bloggers that I admire — Brittany from Eating Bird Food, Liz from I Heart Veggies (both from Richmond, VA), Kath of Kath Eats and Elizabeth of Brooklyn Supper (both from Charlottesville, VA). These are some seriously positive, inspiring, authentic, influential women. I’ve been loving connecting with other bloggers in-person and doing some real-talk on the state of the influencer industry, blog-life, creative life and business. Seriously soul nourishing to commune with other women about our power as business women and creatives.
I also went to Natural Foods Expo, walked the Expo floors, talked to brand reps and loaded up my bags with samples. It’s like health nerd Halloween. I only stayed from 7am-3pm on Friday — so proud of myself for limiting my time spent there. I’m really proud of myself for getting out of my comfort zone and making in-person connections with brands. But I’m even happier that I protected my energy well and left when I was feeling fatigued. I still needed a couple of days to decompress after that!
Other wins: I solidified one of the biggest freelance food photography / styling gigs I’ve had yet with… Mozilla Firefox! And I did some successful email outreach to brands (why is this so scary) for partner work. The blonde in my hair finally looks the way I want it to as its growing out. And I completely reorganized my pantry!
The Lows
I helped my parents move out of my childhood home in Sandbridge Virginia Beach early on in the month. No small feat! I said my heart-felt goodbyes to the house and wished it well as the next family prepares to love it. It was emotional, but I’m glad I was able to help with that process. Other challenges: I broke my beloved 50mm Sigma Macro lens! I was rushing around my kitchen and my camera strap caught on a table corner and the whole camera dropped on the floor. Thank goodness my camera body is ok! Other lows: I’ve struggled with chronic headaches for years and recently had my first migraines, and I’m just so over it. It could be caused by anything, but my intuition tells me it’s a combination of: TMJD side effects, myofascial adhesions (the little “knots” you get worked out during massage), low vitamin D3, mineral deficiencies and perhaps low seratonin. Most Highly Sensitive People have lower seratonin. I’m reworking my diet and lifestyle to figs it out. The search for solutions continues…. Leave a comment if you have suggestions for natural migraine solutions!
What I’m Listening To
I’ve been really into this video series by Dr. Rhonda Patrick, a genetic researcher who specializes in the connection between lifestyle, diet and genetic disease risk. I put the videos on and just listen to them as I edit photos sometimes. Logan and I both listen to The Life Stylist Podcast, and I listen to the Jenna Kutcher Podcast and The Influencer Podcast a lot as well — both of which are about running online businesses with an influencer slant. Oh and if you’re a Highly Sensitive Person you NEED to listen to this episode of the Alanis Morissette Podcast where she interviews Dr. Elaine Aron. Anyone have any suggestions on badass business, money or self-help podcasts? SPILL. Music wise I’ve been enjoying this Soul ‘n’ The City playlist and this Low Key playlist from Spotify. And Mountain Man’s new song Ring Tang Ring Toon just gets me.
What I Read This Month
I finished the His Dark Materials series (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass). I’m a huge fantasy fan but I find it hard to invest time into a new series unless the writing and plot are very good. The world-building in this series is just beyond amazing. I also read Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s We Should All Be Feminists.
Lessons Learned This Month
I’ve really been benefiting from staying strong with my commitment to do no work on Sundays. I try to stay away from my phone as well. I used to feel like I was always working, always connected. With Sundays as rest days I feel like I can actually recharge properly for the work week. Also, I just keep getting this message from life telling me confidence is E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G. It makes all the difference in business and in life. Confidence makes me feel powerful and sexy and positive about the future. I work on confidence a lot as an affirmation (“I am confident”). It not-so-surprisingly helps a lot.
Art + Music
Had an amazing show at the Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Museum with my band Larkspur. We put together a new backing band (slide guitar, guitar, bass, hand drums, kick drum) which includes our friends Eric and Gabe, and my husband Logan (I know so cyuuuuute). It was an awesome show. We played outdoors under old growth trees on this immaculate estate in Charlottesville City. Would. Do. Again. Also Logan and I have been writing an album and we have seven whole tracks written!!! With a handful more still in idea phase. WOOOOOO!!!!! Oh and I went to a Joseph show mid-month (love them).
Recent Buys
Got me a new navy blue corduroy pencil skirt from my fav local consignment shop Darling (skirt is pictured). I finally got some bins for bulk storage in my pantry (these ones). I re-upped on my favorite ghee. I finally bought a bulk bin of coconut butter! In books I bought Women Who Run With The Wolves, Feminists Don’t Wear Pink and Other Lies and The Ethical Slut (just trying to get woke y’all). I also got this gym bag, which is the best gym bag I’ve ever had. So. Many. Pockets.