Weekend Notes No. 02
The things I keep leaving for later
There are several things I thoroughly enjoy: a good book, getting dressed, discovering a restaurant, cooking with my family. Writing belongs on that list too, although you wouldn’t always know it from the amount of time I spend finding reasons to do it later (procrastination, my old friend..).
Later, when the week is quieter. When I’ve finished the other work. When I know exactly what I want to say.
I can make “later” sound quite sensible, and then “later” never comes.
I’ve had ideas I cared about and never gave a proper chance - don’t ask me why - and years afterward, seeing someone else build something similar brings a particular kind of question. I wonder what might have happened if I’d allowed myself to begin before I felt certain. I don’t believe in regrets, but I did end up with the conclusion that indeed doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will. I don’t wish I could turn back time, I just sometimes wish I were braver and showed up for myself like I show up for others - with certainty, and without doubt.
This little corner of the internet matters to me. I love having somewhere to write about clothes, books, motherhood, work, and whatever catches my attention along the way. Making it more visible feels rather more exposing than choosing an outfit, but I’m trying to give it room anyway.
What I’m wearing
My Celine striped shirt, Margaret jeans, and Saint Laurent burgundy soft loafers have been making regular appearances.
I still love a full wardrobe. I like choices, and I like the possibility of an outfit I haven’t thought of yet, even though sometimes I feel overwhelmed at the thought of “playing” in my closet. But these three pieces are particularly easy to return to: a slightly relaxed shirt, familiar denim, and a little richness in the shoes; an open collar, sleeves pushed up, a small tuck. Enough attention to enjoy getting dressed, then on with the day.
I wrote more about them here.
At the weekend table
Cooking with my family is one of my favorite ways to spend a weekend. I enjoy deciding what to make, but I also love going to the farmers’ market and letting something there change the plan.
There is pleasure in choosing ingredients together and bringing them home. A meal gives the afternoon somewhere to go, without every minute needing to be arranged, and our son loves to play chef, so that’s win on two fronts.
The recipe below is a family favorite. It’s a taco bowl, adapted from this recipe. I say “adapted” because sometimes I add other veggies to the bowl and skip the chili so that my three year old can enjoy it, too.
A little room for reading
Reading is another pleasure I can turn into a reward for finishing everything.
The challenge, of course, is that everything is rarely finished fast, but I do make sure I carve a bit of time at the end of the day for at least a few pages. I don’t need a whole free afternoon to open a book, although I would happily accept one.
And I want to make room for writing in the same way: sit down, begin a sentence, see where it takes me. My writing will need work, but at least the sentences will exist. I do have a voice, however, when it’s time to put words on the proverbial paper, I tend to struggle and the “what ifs” start multiplying.
For the week ahead
I’m preparing for a trip, which means making optimistic plans about what I’ll wear and then trying to fit them into a suitcase.
I’ll be taking notes on what I pack, what I actually reach for, and what could have stayed at home. I suspect there will be familiar favorites involved. At the same time I know I want to go visit my favorite shops and so I need space in my suitcase for eventual bursts of joy.
But before then:
What is something you love that you keep leaving for later?
Happy weekend,
Dea xx