life’s little luxuries
Recently found myself in a comparison trap. You know the cliché - 5 months pregnant, wandering through career limbo, trying to familiarize myself with all the life changes surrounding me while catching glimpses of someone else’s life who has it all together - the family, the home in LA, the dream client roster… the dream.
Even writing that last little bit makes me feel so emotional. I’m perpetually on the verge of tears these days and I actually love it. It feels so authentic to experience life’s ups, downs, beauty and despair with actual tears. A fellow cancer and friend of mine recently referred to it as ‘Cancer plus’. There’s regular Cancerian emotions and then there are pregnant Cancer emotions. And those, my friends, are Cancer plus.
Anyways, getting off social media and bringing my attention to the present and the little luxuries currently bringing me comfort has helped soothe the doom-scroll-induced anxiety for now and I figured I’d share in case it’s helpful - for you, for someone else… or for future me.
Floating
Floating - in community pools, springs.. bodies of water made even better if minimally attended. Feeling the weightlessness, especially in pregnancy, and getting some relief from the enduring end-of-summer heat in Texas. Chef’s kiss. no notes. zero complaints. 10 out of 10 recommend.
Cuddling
When tolerated, a good cuddle is the best thing. Highly underrated. Do it with your pet, a pillow, a blanket, a partner, friend… grab something or someone, curl up and cuddle up!
Skincare
And I don’t mean the kind where we’re dropping hundreds at $ephora. Although, you can do that too. I mean a spritz of a rose-infused facial spray that you leave in your fridge for extra refreshment, or a fragrant body wash you maybe use sparingly when you feel like indulging every once in a while, or the lip balm your friend whose love language is gift giving gifted you because it’s her favorite. Savor the things, sure, but use them too.
Photo Album Peruse
Like doom-scrolling, except it leaves you feeling better about your life and all the love that exists in it. A virtual stroll / digital scroll through memory lane. I catch myself smiling at all these little luxuries from the past caught on my phone’s camera.
Your Song
By Elton John. Oof. I know it’s part pregnancy hormones and part nostalgia, but only part. The rest is all Elton - the lyrics, piano, his voice… I grew up hearing Elton John playing from our kitchen on Saturday mornings as my dad made coffee and pancakes. This song is truly just so sweet. Offering his words and song as a gift to someone who makes his life wonderful just by being in the world 😭
♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎ ♥︎
What little luxuries are helping you get through these days?
I’d love to know!
xx
Kaitlin