Hi Reader,

XO, MaCenna’s “extreme patio makeover" is paused on my t.v. screen because I keep thinking, I need to just write to you and tell you the truth.

That truth is this.

My goal is to send the newsletter on Friday mornings. This past week, I kept putting it off and putting it off until the last minute, As in late Thursday night. I jotted down my ideas into an outline and was going to push myself until that outline was filled out and ready to hit publish. But, my head was feeling a little light and slightly dizzy. So, I called it a night.

I’ll finish it tomorrow, I thought as I closed my computer and joined my husband downstairs.

Instead, I slept the weekend away. And that’s what I want to tell you the truth about.

My household is going through an extremely heavy time.

I’m tired.

I have no energy.

I don’t have much to give.

I knew if I shared that with you, you’d tell me to take care of myself, to not worry about fleshing out a newsletter.

I want to share a few ways I’ve indeed been taking care of myself.

1. I honor whatever feelings and emotions come up. If I feel sad, I let myself be sad. If I’m angry, I ride out the anger.
2. I’m managing my energy, not my time. Frankly, my calendar is wide open, but I’m not available for much socially. And if I am feeling up to socializing, it won’t be until the afternoon or later because my sleep schedule is completely off; much like an infant whose nights and days are confused.
3. I pick up the somatic tools I’ve learned to help me get out of freeze mode. One tool that’s easy for me to remember without having to search on Youtube is to look to the left while keeping my head facing forward. Wait for a sigh, swallow, or yawn. Then, repeat it on the right. Another tool I use nightly, even when life isn’t hard, is to run a hand held massager over my scalp, neck and shoulders, again until I swallow, sigh, or yawn. I believe it helps turn off my brain so I can more easily settle into sleep.
4. I’m getting outside. Whether it’s piddling around the yard, daydreaming about Spring gardening, or going for a walk, connecting with nature always makes me feel seen, safe, and cared for.
5. Adding touches of Spring (i.e. signs up life and hope) to my home. I’m gradually removing pine cones and pine branches and replacing them with pops of green moss and my favorite flower, tulips.
6. Cooking. There’s something so nurturing to me about cooking for myself. It’s like the part of me that needs that care and attention receives it as an act of self-care. This act builds a level of self-trust. Along those lines…
7. I make myself a fancy hot chocolate. And while I drink it, I practice another somatic tool I learned—holding the mug with both hands, nestled against my belly, allowing my body to receive the comforting warmth.
8. Wearing soft, comfortable clothes. The soft feeling on my skin is cozy and nurturing.

I do know everything we’re going through will work out. In fact, I believe some of the life I’ve built has to come down in order for my vision to become reality.

I will:

• Be financially free
• Publish my second book
• Write without censoring myself
• Break free from limiting beliefs
• Love myself well
• Travel and explore the world
• Experience health and vitality
• Enjoy passion and greater intimacy
• Hold onto hope, and let myself be delightfully surprised at what’s in store for me
• Live a life characterized by simplicity and ease

​
​My fancy hot chocolate recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp of cacao. I used Navitas organics unsweetened pure cacao powder
• 2 tbsp of maple syrup. I used 100% pure, organic maple syrup
• A pinch of salt
• A cap full of vanilla extract (using the cap from the jar of vanilla). I use organic, pure madagascar vanilla extract
• A sprinkle of cinnamon
• Almond milk. Use whatever milk product you prefer. I’m dairy sensitive, so almond milk it is for me. The Malk brand I use is very clean; just two ingredients.

To make it, add all of the ingredients into a sauce pan, stir and heat. Or, add the ingredients into an electric milk frother and let it do the stirring and heating for you.

Top with marshmallows if you’d like. (I do.) Or, make a froth to top off your hot chocolate.

​

I want you to know...

The goal of decluttering isn’t to be clutter free. That’s not even possible. The goal is to live uncluttered.

If, by my definition, clutter is anything, physical, mental, emotional or spiritual that keeps you from living in the truth of who you are, in the most authentic expression of who you’re created to be, then think of uncluttered as unbothered, untethered.

In other words, you’ve reached a place in your simplifying journey where you one) have created organizing systems, routines and habits that are sustainable. And two) you’ve learned to view any new clutter that arises as a tool for transformation. No shame attached.

​

Curated Things

I’d love it if a friend did this for me.

You don’t need it, but just in case it helps, here’s permission.

It's ten years later, but my advice for setting a simple and romantic table hasn’t changed.

It might be time to change the way you apply concealer. (It is for me.)

This ten minute stretch worked wonders to relieve my neck tension and shoulder pain.

​

Here's how I can help...

Thank you for joining me today. It's my pleasure to walk alongside you in your 'simply home' journey.

Wishing you simplicity and ease,