Weekend Musings | March 15, 2025
In My Heart and In My Cart + Other Things
This week, it seems like a major conversation starter was the five year anniversary of the pandemic lockdown. Wow, time really flies when you’re having fun, doesn’t it!
I saw a meme that said “five years ago it was illegal to stand closer than 6’ away from me” and it did make me laugh. What a time, right?! At work, we were considered essential workers and the bosses insisted on continuing our in-person morning meetings. We filled a warehouse and put dots on the floor so people knew where to stand. And then not a damn word could be heard because the warehouse was huge and echo-y and it felt like you were miles away from the speaker, who was completely muffled anyway by talking through a cloth mask. It’s funny now, but man, we were all just trying to carry on as normally as possible, weren’t we? It’s inspiring really - we’ll find work arounds. We’ll adapt. We’ll do what we can. Given the chance, people can be so resilient.
But I guess what I’m interested in isn’t necessarily that it’s been five years since a major world event happened, one that arguably resulted in most of us still traveling on a path that was created by that whopper of a redirection. Rather, I’m interested in how five years feels like it just floated by. We all have this big blinking mile marker in 2020 that provides a glaring reminder of how far we’ve gone. But does it feel like five years? How can my life be passing me by this quickly? And I don’t even feel it?
I have a big problem with constantly wishing for the weekend or July or a vacation. Or during my job’s busy season, just trying to get past this week. If I can get through this work crisis, then it will be easier. After this month, things will calm down. And the result is steeling myself to power through with my blinders on, losing entire weeks, months, full seasons of my life without slowing down to enjoy them. And thusly, I have whole stretches that pass by in a blink.
If it were merely a question of five years ago, I might shrug it off. Five years could be a blink, right? But there’s something about having such a big event back there. Something to really pinpoint the time and show me really how long ago it was. Like, girl you’ve been running for too long if you think five years ago was five minutes ago.
And so that’s what’s on my mind, this anniversary week. Some anniversaries you get gifts, and maybe this is mine. A reminder to take a beat and look around. Don’t let the next five years go by so ignored.
***
The photo above is from the very moment I learned the world was shutting down. I was on vacation with my sister in law in San Francisco. We’d arrived a few days earlier, and knew about the pandemic vaguely, but at that time, it was something happening somewhere else. We received emails from our respective employers within minutes of each other, detailing how things were moving forward and immediate changes that were taking place. We sat down on the sidewalk outside of the Ghirardelli Square to read those emails on our phones and it was a life altering moment. We were thousands of miles away from our families, in a city that was shutting down around us. We panicked for a few minutes, and then carried on walking through the city. I mean, what else could we do?
In My Cart -
+ LL Bean Light Wellie Boots // Not a particularly sexy purchase, but they are cute for how functional they are - not always a common combo! I’ve been waffling on these for weeks and all it took was one wet sloppy walk to remind me spring is a messy time and lasts for a couple of months. These will serve me well!
+J Crew Earrings // Speaking of spring, I’m almost embarrassed for how much I love these cheesy baubles.
+But while I’m over at J Crew, less embarrassing finds abound! Chic sunglasses at a good price I won’t have to be too precious with. A packable hat that is also chic and functional. And a gold layering necklace- I’ll report back on that one. Some costume jewelry tarnishes so quickly!
+Ulta is running their 21 Days of Beauty sale. I like to take a peek every day just to see what’s on special. So far my only get has been this Whipped SPF from a brand I’m already allegiant to.
+I recently heard this is a dupe for SkinCeuticals Ferulic Acid and I am intrigued! Has anyone tried this?
+In an effort to amp up my hot girl walks, I ordered this weighted vest and these ankle weights that I actually plan to use for arm workouts. I mean, it can’t hurt, right?
+I must have been in a mood, because I also ordered this fun flavored protein powder.
Other Things -
+I don’t work there right now. Not quite an affirmation, but something I’ve been quietly reminding myself when I stress about work things in the evenings or over the weekend. Worry about this during business hours. I don’t have the resources necessary to solve things in bed at 2am, and very often, by the time I get into the office, I realize it wasn’t worth worrying about anyway.
+Related: I find myself prone to worry in the late evening, particularly before I go to bed. It’s become so routine, that I often can cajole myself to let it go and if it’s still worrying me in the morning, then address it. Does anyone else have a peak worry hour? It’s like children and the 6pm witching hour. Always. On. Schedule. It’s maddening!
+Learning to take recommendations with a grain of salt. I follow an influencer that I deeply respect - her work is immaculate - but after purchasing four items over the last couple of years at her recommendation, I have to throw in the towel. All of them have been disappointments and a couple of them spendy mistakes. And so what I mean by “grain of salt” is this: I can still love and appreciate her work, but keep in mind that we have different skin types. Or different preferences for beauty products. We’re different ages. I still trust her, and will happily follow along, but I accept that her preferences are not the same as mine. Onward!
+Visiting Chicago for spring break in a few weeks! Where should we go? What should we do?
PS -
What I mean when I say I have to run errands.
Recently Enjoyed over on substack.