Petite Pause no. 6
A soft landing for your week
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.
We’ve had one of those slower weeks, half summer, half school prep. The kids have been traveling, the house is quieter, and the days have felt long in that low-energy, late-July kind of way. I’ve let things go a little, more screen time than usual, a growing queue of audiobooks from the library, and not much structure to speak of.
The real highlight? Playing music with my boyfriend, just the two of us. Following him as he guided me through chords on the piano and letting the afternoon stretch. A tiny joy that made the whole week feel warmer.
If you’re moving slow too, this one’s for you.
Weekend Itinerary
What to Read: “The Best Time to Hang Out Is 4:30 P.M.” by Angelina Chapin (via The Cut). A witty, relatable take on summer social timing. Chapin persuasively argues that 4:30 p.m. is the sweet spot for socializing. Early enough to feel spontaneous, late enough to preserve your evening calm. It's perfect reading for those low-energy days when you want connection without exhaustion
What to Watch/Listen To: The Hunting Wives on Netflix. Based on the book by May Cobb, this dark, twisty drama pulls you into the glamorous and dangerous world of Texas socialites gone rogue. It’s juicy, messy, and just campy enough to keep it fun. I read the book and still didn’t see that TV ending coming. If you’re into secrets, scandals, and slow-burn suspense, add this to your weekend queue.
What to Make: Snack plates for dinner. Think: crackers, hummus, whatever’s left in the produce drawer, maybe a little cheese if you're fancy. It counts. It’s summer. The stove can rest.
What to Try: A walking-and-listening combo: an audiobook from the library + a short evening stroll. It’s movement that doesn’t feel like a task and a gentle way to transition out of the day.
What to Do: Pick one tiny reset. Clean out a junk drawer, refill your water bottle, or finally delete those 47 screenshots. Small clears create big calm.
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How to Make Daily Movement a Habit
Let’s be honest, trying to “work out” every day can feel like one more thing on an already full list. But movement? That’s something different. It can be small, intuitive, and even enjoyable. It doesn’t have to be tracked, timed, or shared on social. It just has to happen.
Here are a few gentle ways to bring more movement into your daily rhythm.
Reframe your mindset
Not all movement has to look like exercise. Walking your dog, vacuuming with intention, carrying laundry up the stairs, dancing while you unload the dishwasher, it all counts. When we stop measuring movement by calories or minutes and start recognizing it as energy in motion, it becomes more accessible and less loaded.
Stack it with an existing habit
One of the easiest ways to start is by linking movement to something you already do. While brushing your teeth, try a set of calf raises or balance on one leg. While waiting for your coffee to brew, do a forward fold or shoulder rolls. It doesn’t have to be structured, just paired.
Make it something you actually enjoy
If running feels like punishment, you don’t have to run. If yoga feels too slow, try a YouTube dance class or a five-song solo concert in your kitchen. Joyful movement sticks because it feeds your spirit, not just your body. Go where the fun is, even if it’s silly.
Keep it simple and doable
Five minutes is enough. One stretch counts. You don’t need leggings or a mat or a gym membership. Sometimes, the hardest part is starting. So make the “start” so small it feels impossible to skip.
Make it non-negotiable
Some days you’ll love it. Some days it’ll feel annoying. But like flossing or drinking water, it’s a kindness you do for your future self. Make it routine, not something you negotiate with.
Let it be about how you feel, not how you look
This is the shift that makes it sustainable. Forget the metrics. Instead, ask yourself: Did I feel better after I moved? Did I clear my head? Did my mood shift? That’s the win. The rest is just noise.
Movement doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Start where you are, move how you can, and let it be enough. This weekend, pick one idea from the list and try it out. Bonus points if it brings a little joy. And if something works for you, I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment and tell me how you’re moving through your days.
Currently in My Cart
Can you tell I’ve got fall wardrobe on the brain? It’s still a million degrees outside, but mentally I’m somewhere in a sweater, holding a chai, and kicking leaves.
These suede ballet flats from Madewell that feel like they belong in a Nancy Meyers movie
A two-toned linked ring I’ll absolutely convince myself is “practical” because I can wear it with both silver and gold
This sage green sweater wrap + mini skirt set from Target that’s giving elevated cozy
High-rise relaxed flare jeans I’ll wear with everything (or at least in my imagination, until it drops below 90°)
This striped stitchy v-neck sweater that makes me want to lean into coastal-grandma energy
This faux-haircalf belt that adds just enough main character energy to jeans and a tee. Bonus points for the little western buckle situation.
And this tiered mini swing dress that’s breezy enough for now but just structured enough to carry into early fall. With boots, a denim jacket, or just bare legs and good earrings.
Open Tabs
A few links I couldn’t close this week:
Back-to-School Positive Routines – Overbooked Mama’s gentle structure and reminders are just what I needed for the transition out of summer mode.
I’m Building My Kids’ Attention Spans – Professor Off Duty’s honest, thoughtful take on teaching focus without force. Loved this.
The Summer Series, Week 1: Creativity – A reminder that creativity can (and should) be low-stakes. Add this to your weekend reading.
That’s all for now. A little slower, a little softer, and still enough.
If you’re feeling the in-between this week, between seasons, schedules, or just in your own head, I hope this gave you a reason to pause and exhale. I’m glad you’re here.
I’ll see you Sunday for the first installment of a new mini series I’m calling Sunday Suppers. A cozy little space for meals, memories, and the magic of feeding the people we love. I can’t wait to share it with you.
And if you missed it earlier this week, don’t skip my latest post. A heatwave-ready roundup of real outfits for real-life summer.
Until then, take care.
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Thank you for the share! Daily movement has been on my mind lately, so I appreciate these thoughts to reframe how I approach it. Looking forward to Sunday Suppers!