Petite Pause no. 4

Notes from a week of stillness, sadness, and small comfort.

Your end-of-week scroll break. A cozy little catch-up full of links, loves, and things I can’t stop talking about. A spark of inspiration you didn’t know you needed.

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Some weeks feel heavier than others.

This one has pressed on me with a kind of quiet heaviness that lingered in the background of everything.

I've been thinking a lot about absence, about the families in Texas with quiet bedrooms and unanswered questions, about the kind of grief that spreads out like fog, dense and disorienting. Closer to home, someone I care about is facing an unimaginable loss. My heart aches for her, for the weight of that absence, for the quiet moments now filled with silence instead of shared life. Grief has a way of rippling outward, touching even those on the edges.

Loss is everywhere this week. And yet, the world keeps moving.

So today’s Petite Pause is softer. A little slower. A tiny act of resistance against the speed of the world. A scroll break for those of us who need to breathe, cry, rest or just be for a minute.

Here’s what’s been keeping me company in the in-between.

Weekend Itinerary

• What to Read: Upstream by Mary Oliver — A tender, contemplative collection of essays from the poet who always reminds me to slow down and notice. This one reads like a quiet walk through the woods with a wise friend. It's about creativity, solitude, and the natural world—perfect for early mornings or late evenings when your mind needs a soft place to land.

• What to Watch/Listen To: Good Food, Good Mood — Episode 464 of the Feel Better, Live More podcast with Dr. Rangan Chatterjee. A gentle but deeply informative conversation about how nourishing our bodies with whole foods impacts everything from energy to mental clarity. It’s not preachy, just kind, thoughtful, and full of takeaways you’ll actually want to try.

• What to Make: This Summer Corn Salad with Avocado from Kalefornia Kravings is sunshine in a bowl. Fresh, bright, and the perfect side dish for everything from grilled chicken to tortilla chips and a glass of something chilled. Sweet corn, creamy avocado, crunchy cucumber, and a light citrusy dressing come together in that “I didn’t measure, but it turned out amazing” kind of way. Bonus: no stove required.

• What to Do: Pick up flowers just because. Trader Joe’s, the farmer’s market, the neighbor’s wildflowers (with permission!) anything to bring something living and beautiful into your space. Arrange them messily in a jar and let them be a reminder that life still blooms, even in hard weeks.

• What to Try: Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil. I’ve been craving a little glow, and this gives just enough dewiness to feel like you’ve had a full night's sleep and a green juice, even if you’ve had neither. A few drops in the morning feels like a ritual.

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On Self-Care That Actually Helps

It’s easy to reduce self-care to face masks and bubble baths, but real self-care is layered, intentional, and deeply personal. This week, I’ve been thinking about what it means to care for yourself when the world feels heavy. Here are a few gentle reminders I’ve come back to:

• Tend to your body, not for perfection, but for presence.
  Whether your skincare routine includes five steps or just splashing cold water on your face, do what helps you feel most like you. It’s not about the products, it’s about the ritual.

• Clear your mind by writing things down.
  Self-care isn’t just for the body, it’s for your thoughts too. A running list, a gentle journal entry, or even scribbled reminders can make the chaos feel a little more manageable.

• Nourish from the inside out.
  Eating well isn’t about restriction, it’s about kindness. Choosing foods that give you energy and clarity is a quiet but powerful way to support your body and mind.

• Protect your peace with good people.
  Surround yourself with friends who see you, hold you, and make you laugh when you forget how. A strong circle is one of the most underrated forms of care.

Currently in My Cart

Some things I’m eyeing (and a few I may or may not have already bought… oops):

• A floral maxi dress moment — light, floral, and easy to throw on. I have no business buying another one, but girl math says otherwise.

• A red square-neck tank (!!) and the most flattering shape. I love all three colors.

• A tinted mineral sunscreen that actually works. Promises the kind of effortless glow I want people to think is just my face. Lightweight, mineral-based, and blends like a dream. Perfect for those “no-makeup, makeup” mornings (or, let’s be honest, carpool and coffee runs).

• A cozy sweater for cool lakeside evenings (preferably with a scoop of soft-serve in hand).

• An oversized straw sunhat that’s giving “gardener chic” and “don’t talk to me before coffee.”

  

That’s all for this week’s pause. Tender, a little teary, and threaded with small joys. Grief and gratitude often arrive hand in hand, don’t they? I’m learning to hold space for both.

Take care of yourself this weekend. Light a candle, make the salad, wear the soft thing. I’ll meet you back here Sunday with something new to carry us forward.

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