We're hearing and reading this everywhere: s l o w d o w n

Earlier this year I talked about changing my outlook on washing dishes: from a chore to an act of devotion. That mindset has continued since, and I've even added more evening rituals to that one. I have started seeing an ayurvedic doctor to try something else because I still don't have any answers about my health (which isn't great, tbh). He recommended some kind of spicy tea before bed and in the morning, so for the past month I have been boiling a bag of powders for 10 minutes and drinking half before bed and half in the morning. That process is called making a decoction, but I make myself enjoy it by calling it a potion in my head. The liquid involved is only 2½ cups at a time, so I even bought a tiny little saucepan with a glass lid to make the process more enjoyable. I use a special little tea cup from my childhood (I guess it's an antique now?) and listen to music or read a book while I sip the potion.

I'm still finding joy in my daily yoga with Ella, and our 3x a week hikes to Discovery Park before she logs in to school. We have practiced every day since January 1. I cannot think of anything I've done every day for more than 6 months in my life, so I'm honestly impressed with myself. Let me be really honest here: I would not be doing this every single day if I didn't have my child counting on me as a yoga companion.

I've started slowly writing in my journal (if I call it a blog I won't do it) and sharing all kinds of things I never thought to talk about on Instagram Stories - like how my first job was singing at weddings, and how I'm the friend you want if you need someone to hold your hand at a funeral, or maybe you need your car hot-wired.

I told you my word of the year is collaboration, and openness to co-creating is taking me in directions I never would have imagined. In addition to another collaboration with Jamie Ni and others where I'll be talking about summer clothes and how to take care of them.

I spent most of the past few months sewing and fitting for many bodies, pattern drafting, offering advice as part of an incredible new book coming out next year in service of my former sewing crush now friend Sanae Ishida. The models were all so wonderful and kind and excited about the project. I went to a couple days of the photoshoot. I was seriously impressed by the sheer scope of the thing. You'll hear more about this book the closer it gets to publication, It was such an honor and a joy to be invited to assist on that project.

I am even collaborating with something completely unrelated to sewing. I have been super interested in astrology since I was a kid, but discovering Human Design a couple years ago kicked that up another notch, and then learning about the Gene Keys as a different way to approach Human Design brought it all back together. Slowly. I have been contemplating who I am and what I have to offer quite a bit over the past couple years, and as my work slowed down last March I really took a pause (at least mentally) to look inside. The pandemic probably inspired a lot of us to think about what's important. I started giving myself permission to just be who I am instead of constantly striving for change.

If you know me, you know I only 70% believe in anything, max, so contemplating who I am in the world has been a great adventure of what-ifs! The collaboration to come out of that is a workshop (hopefully the first of many) with Arianna Maag this Sunday 6/6/2021 where we will explore this very topic!

If you're interested in joining, us, you're heartily invited. Here's a link to check it out. If it's not for you, or not for right now, it's okay. There will always be other opportunities to learn about ourselves together.

I'd love to hear how you're slowing down this summer season. I plan on a lot of hand-sewing, learning how to sail, more yoga, more hikes, more tea, and a deep breath of pause whenever I remember. At the top of the stairs, right before bed, before I bring in the groceries, as I think about what to cook, or while I'm mindfully creating a new course for people brand new to sewing with a machine so they're equipped to take my upcoming sewing classes this fall.

You don't need to be slow all day to slow down.

A deep breath of gratitude whenever you remember is enough.

on slowing down for the summer, after a very full spring