A Week of Small Shifts

This week didn’t feel extraordinary on the surface—but when I stop and look at it more closely, it held so many of the things I’ve been wanting more of in this next chapter.

It was a week of small shifts. The kind you don’t always notice in the moment, but you feel later.

I took Friday afternoon off and spent it with my dad, taking down my outdoor room and setting up my summer patio. There’s something about physically changing a space that creates a mental shift too. It felt like I was making room—not just for a new season outside, but for a different pace of life.

We also took time to celebrate my parents—my mom turns 86 on Monday, and they’ll be celebrating 68 years of marriage. Even saying that feels significant. Sixty-eight years of choosing each other, showing up, building a life together. I’m so glad we didn’t wait for the exact date and instead shared a quiet brunch together. Those are the moments that matter.

In the middle of a full work week, I kept my commitment to connection—Mahjong with friends on Wednesday. That rhythm, that laughter, that time together… it grounds me in a way that’s hard to explain but easy to feel.

And then there was the creativity.

One evening, I felt that spark—that energy that says just start. Instead of overthinking it or putting it off, I followed it. I worked on a few prototypes, reached out to vendors, and let myself be in that space of excitement and possibility.

And of course, Maple was right there in the middle of it all—quiet moments at home, a little playtime, a reminder to slow down and just be. She has a way of doing that.

What I noticed most this week was how I felt—motivated, excited, and also surprisingly calm. Not rushed. Not pulled in a hundred directions. Just… present.

And maybe that’s the shift I’ve been working toward all along.

Weekly Reflection

• What went well this week?

  
  

  Time that felt intentional—family, friends, and small moments that mattered.

  
  

• What felt easier or more aligned?

  
  

  Following creativity when it showed up and letting it flow without overthinking.

  
  

• What didn’t need as much of my energy as I gave it?

  
  

  Trying to control outcomes and perfect every detail.

  
  

• What am I proud of (big or small)?

  
  

  Taking time for myself without guilt.

  
  

• What will I carry into next week?

  
  

  This feeling—calm, motivated, and present.

Celebrating 86 years of life and 68 years of love—what a beautiful reminder of what matters most.