Back from Hiatus and Ready for Summer

Bonjour!

It’s good to be back at Joyful Living! After an intentional pause from writing to focus on health and home, I’m ready to get back to the keyboard. Thank you, dear reader, for joining me and supporting my blog.

It’s about Damn Time

It’s been a long, strange year. I have felt ill in one way or another since I got pregnant in fall 2021 and managing a seemingly endless rotation of random ailments on top of autoimmune thyroid disease has taken its toll on my energy and attitude. From irritable bowel syndrome and contact dermatitis to overactive bladder and carpal tunnel to back pain and insomnia (merci, hormones!), there were days (weeks, months) that felt very long.

Not to brag, but I went to the doctor a lot – the dermatologist, the endocrinologist, the orthopedist, the gastroenterologist, the urinary gynecologist. Le Bébé went to the doctor a lot – the pediatrician, the gastroenterologist, the ENT and audiologist, the speech therapist. Mes Parents went to the doctor a lot after a respective heart attack plus emergency stent surgery and a prostate cancer diagnosis plus treatment. (I told L’Husband that he better not get sick or I’d kill him.)

To say I’ve been feeling scared, fretful, and overwhelmed – while adjusting to new parenthood – is not an exaggeration. I tried to exercise and sleep and change my diet (again; le sigh), but still frequently felt inept and ashamed at my lack resiliency and confidence. I started therapy and tried to read and walk more. But cutting out things like work and writing did not help me find more peace or free time; if anything, disengaging made me feel worse.

But then I remembered the teachings of poet-philosopher Lizzo and realized, “I’m way to fine to be this stressed. I’m not the girl I was or used to be – I might be better.”

I am way too fine to be stressed (obviously). And I am definitely not the girl I used to be – I’m evolving and growing as a parent, spouse, home maker, and writer all the time. I am better every day.

While a break helped me catch my breath, as it were, I’m ready to get back out there. I don’t feel like I have to hide at home anymore or wear a mask if I actually leave and can actually harness joyful living.

Summer Is Here

If last year after childbirth was my hot mom summer, then this year is my hot mom summer dialed up to eleven.

The longer days and warmer weather certainly help my mood and motivation to get out and do things. I love decorating the home and working in the yard, and this spring and summer have been no exception. We’ve been planting, painting, and cleaning out – very therapeutic after three longs years of the pandemic and a long year of family health concerns.

There is thankfully a lot to do and I am actually up for doing it, from planning Le Bébé’s baptism and first birthday party to taking on a new role at my university as an academic editor. I talk to friends, go to parks and the pool, and cook meals to put in the freezer. I read a whole book – not a magazine, an actual book!

It feels good to feel good, to feel capable and energetic (and feeding a hungry toddler demands nothing less!). And writing and sharing pictures of dachshunds and flowers on Joyful Living brings me so much pleasure. Thank you for being here and never hesitate to reach out!

What are you looking forward to this summer?

Merci for reading and please subscribe and share!

À votre santé,

Katie