- Tea. Which I am currently drinking while writing this. I’m not really all that into tea (more like black coffee and occasional oat milk cappuccinos) but whenever I drink it I feel this sense of coziness that no other beverage provides.
We are not doing a mug this year (the Planning 2026 swag is more planning-adjacent) but would definitely consider bringing it back in the future!
- Classical music. G asked for this because she was reading in the car this morning (I believe it was this – she is making excellent use of C’s old collection) and did not want to be distracted. I put on the first Apple Music playlist that came up and it was the most civilized 20 minutes of driving I’ve had in quite some time. I should try that more often.
- Reading with G on the couch. So calm, so sweet, and hey, her teacher assigned it (well, to her) and so it is REQUIRED. And I love that for both of us. (Note: this refers to each of us independently reading. I always read to her before bed, but this is a new add-on.) If I could get the other two kids to join us (if home), that would be awesome, I need to work on that!
- Remembering that I can take 5 minutes before answering any work text. Thankfully I am never being contacted about things where every second is critical, like an airway emergency (GRATEFUL for those who do have to respond in this way — including some of you who read here). Seeing the texts I receive as something to ‘deal with in the next few minutes’ vs ‘deal with immediately OMG’ is a tiny shift in perspective that actually does (to me) make a big difference. (Josh has tried to remind of this in the past and I have not paid any attention but maybe I am gradually seeing the light.)
- Telling the kids to defer ‘big asks’/etc until next week. Self-explanatory.
- Planning. I mean, obviously. But also being mindful of NOT assigning myself any more than what is truly necessary. I did take a few minutes to schedule a pedi and massage for next week.
- Being away from social media, which I have heard is not a very positive place right now (was it ever?). I actually haven’t even been tempted by Reddit EXCEPT I would like to know what people think of the 2026 Hobonichi paper!!!
(I cannot tell you what I think because my order sadly hasn’t even shipped yet! I ordered the gel pens and I think somehow that slowed it down.)
Oh, and I never ended up dress shopping. I headed out to shop with A & G but it turns out . . . G was bored and a major shopping liability so we went home (we even struck out at Lulu – I want a scuba hoodie but they were so BOXY!). I ended up ordering this which came and is cute. It is a little bit bigger/more relaxed that I would like but I think it’s good enough and maybe I can eventually take it to the tailor for a bit more refining along with the other ML dress sitting in my closet that is lovely except that it is too low cut to be acceptable pretty much anywhere I go.
19 Comments
I agree that tea is a cozier drink. I’m really particular about flavors and tend to prefer herbals. I think it’s cozier because I’m not using it for caffeine intake typically, so it’s not a means to an end like coffee is so I kind of savor it more in a way.
I love reading with my kids. Paul is less interested in me reading to him now that he’s a strong reader. We don’t have a chapter book going right now since he didn’t like the last one we tried (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe). But we read his highlights magazine together last night which was fun! And the 4yo has been so tired since starting school that he has wanted to skip books but I talked him into reading them last night.
Try looking for a Scuba online. I have one of the original styles that’s not as cropped or boxy, and then a quarter-zip cropped one that’s oversized. I think if you get ones with the numerical sizing they’ll be more fitted.
(Why does everything have to be boxy and oversized????????)
Yes the ones in store were not numerically sized. Did not realize you could get different ones online – worth a try (though will check return policy). I am honestly too short for boxy, that trend really doesn’t work for me!
Lulu return policy is great! I even took the tags off something once and my husband was able to return it at the store for full refund. (They also have an app, which is… dangerous). I also prefer normal shaped hoodies. Maybe Athleta would have something? Have to say I love the wide leg jean trend and hope that we never revert to skinny jeans again in my lifetime!
ok good to know! I also like wide legged bottoms especially the highish-waisted cuts. But the whole flowy amorphous thing just does not work on me! I feel like you have to be super tall and willowy for that look to work!
Yeah, I am 5’4″ with a fairly small build and I can look like I’m swimming in oversized or voluminous cuts. But I’m with you on the high waisted wide leg pants! Stock up now before low-rise skinny jeans come back, lol.
My “traditional” full-zip, full-length scuba is my usual dress size and it’s fairly fitted. Usually at Lulu I have to size way up but not in the scubas.
That dress is darling!!
I’m lukewarm (haha) on tea too. I only drink oolong because other types make my throat dry/feel weird for some reason. But agree that it is cozy! I bought a cute tiny teapot to use and that makes it fun.
Try French earl grey tea – makes me happy every time I drink it 😊
A psychologist friend once introduced me to the idea of ‘Lily pads’ – ie things to look forward to that you can hop between to get through the rough periods. It has been an incredibly helpful concept for me. Perhaps prior to / during call week you can use spare moments to contemplate / book some ‘Lily pads’ for yourself (treats / travel / social outings / catch ups with friends / tickets to things you want to see / date nights / meals out / whatever…) . It makes the tough times much easier to get through. It is a backbone of how I get through tough weeks / months / years now
love that concept – thank you!!
I agree about tea. I just ordered some decaf loose leaf tea to up the cozy/ritual aspect for the fall.
I’m glad you are able to put off answering immediately. I’ve started doing this with texts and emails unless absolutely an emergency, which it hardly ever is. I can think about my answer and sometimes have a better one.
I wanted to know about the Hobonichi paper, too, and read a review that it seems better than last year. Here’s the review (not on Reddit!): https://minimaru.com/blogs/guides/hobonichi-techo-2026-tomoe-river-paper-review
I’m glad you are finding calming things for your call week.
that review gives me HOPE!!! I’m so excited to try the new paper!!
I am a tea gal, always, so I’m very pleased that you find it so cozy! Come over to the tea side, Sarah!
The reading in the car and the reading together sounds SO lovely. Some kids just take to reading and others don’t, and, oh I am jealous of those kids who do! My daughter loves reading when she has a really good book, but for her, the really good ones are few and far between. She has reading requirements, too, but it’s a struggle to get her to do it. We are listening to an audiobook together in the car (Johnny Tremain – so good!!!) and I am reading her two different books before bed (Wild Dark Shore and The Witch of Blackbird Pond) but I really want her to read more books with her own eyes. Probably shouldn’t try to force it, though. Sigh.
Has G tried any of the 13-Story Treehouse series? It’s from Australia so I feel like fewer people have heard of it, but my Dog Man and Wimpy Kid loving children have all gotten really into that one.
The dress is super cute! I wonder if adding a belt would help it not look too shapeless – at least temporarily. I feel like you have to be at least 5’7″ (which I am not!) to pull off the boxy look – otherwise you look like you are still playing dress-up in your mom’s closet, lol.
I also have a book recommendation for G. The Witches of Brooklyn. Graphic novel. T also is obsessed with the Amulet series, and Lightfall series.
the dress isn’t boxy it’s just not quite as fitted as I would like it — other reviewers said the same thing. But I did think a belt could be cute . . . I just don’t have an appropriate belt!! This is a problem that could be solved though, ha.
I will order one of those books and see if she likes it!
Tea! I love it. My husband goes back and forth between coffee and tea, and whenever he drinks tea he mentions how “soothing” it is. Glad you found these balms for a tough week! And yes- stay away from social media whatever you do.
Idea for an easy but interesting and useful post while you’re oncall: tell us what books your kids are into at their current stages and we can throw some suggestions at you for more they may like (and pick up ideas for our kids in the process)…
Better still, get your kids to write their own lists! 😊