Wheezin’, Sneezin’, Freezin’

July Update

I saw this headline on the cover of a magazine recently and couldn’t resist borrowing it. Over the past few weeks blustery storms have alternated with cold frosty snaps, the coldest temperatures I’ve ever experienced in Auckland. A freak tornado ripped through Papatoetoe, the hospital is heaving with RSV, everyone is under the weather.

The end of June was busy, a long stretch at work, some stressful deadlines. Towards the end of it all a sad loss, that left my body drained, my heart heavy. I had a week of leave and spent most of it inside. It was over in a flash. I’m starting to emerge from the cloud now, I’m grateful for things feeling a little lighter. But I only have a couple more weeks in my current job, a lot that I want to do before it’s over. I’m trying to temper it, to be more gentle with myself, to reach for the things I can rely upon to bring me joy.

Sometimes it takes a lot of curating. Home baked dark chocolate chip banana bread, crumpets dripping in salty butter and sweet jam. A trip to the art gallery. An afternoon outdoors. Hot water bottles and books, phone-calls with friends. I go through my wardrobe and strip it back, packing things away for different seasons, bringing others to the fore. I make more effort to put together outfits that feel like me and am surprised to find myself reaching for the few pieces of jewelry I own, something I have never really been drawn to in the past. I sense that something has ended and something else has begun.

I am still processing the change. So not many words for this past month, not a lot share and tell. A lot of reflection and introspection. Bel and I have finally recorded the first episode of our podcast, and doing so left me the happiest I’ve been in a while. Just talking with my sister; but so much love and laughter. It’s not up yet because she’s been forced out of her home by a flash flood contaminated with raw sewage… but we’ll hopefully be ready to share by the end of the month. I’ll send out a newsletter when we do.