We've Been Training for This

How it feels to stay grateful while everything is on sale

Is it just me or is has the substackifcation of Black Friday-Cyber Monday become a bit repulsive? I feel buried underneath the gift guides, sales roundups, and flat lays of Net-a-Porter must-haves. It almost makes me not want to shop. But I need serums and Ralph Lauren!

It does makes me want to make homemade gifts. That and my credit card statement. I started with custom paper dolls for my niece’s 4th birthday. She probably would have preferred a polyester princess dress but this was more fun for me.

Try this at home! All you need is some cardstock, markers, and an exacto knife. A lightbox also helps for tracing but windows work too.

It’s also a good moment to practice what I’ve been training for all year: staying present, feeling grateful for what I do have, and drawing through anxiety. Which is exactly what I did this week.

I was able to extend my stay home, allowing for extra card games, extensive craft sessions, 3 family parties, and luxurious time with my 98-year-old grandmother.

They key is to count cards and I simply cannot

We brought out my favorite childhood book, Lenore’s Big Break. It holds up.

Her collage theme was, and always is, “Happy”

No further description needed

I also—and this is huge—felt noticeably lighter with no stupid boys invading my energy field. I’ve been dating a lot (without using an app! so 90’s!) but nothing has really stuck. More to come on that I’m sure. But for now I am LIGHT. I am FREE. I am in control of my own DESTINY.

it was so nice but also a little bit boring to not have the adrenaline of texting ripping through your veins

I guess this is how all the avoidant men that are resisting committing to me feel all the time. Guys, if you’re reading this, I finally get it! But also you’re dumb.

And because I am ultimately not one of those men…Naturally, all that lightness and confidence in my ability to be zen had an expiration date.

But all is well because retail therapy cures all! And we’re back to square one.

Thanks for reading. Tell me about your holiday grounding techniques!

Xo,

Emily