Sundaze 198
I fluctuate between guilt for not posting ‘to schedule’ here and gratitude that I can take a few days out when I need it. This week was no exception. Things have been wildly all over the place; I’ve felt anticipation for the Taylor Swift announcement, elation at what it was, sadness and gut-wrenching sadness for other things. Slowly but surely I’m learning to sit in my feelings (thanks Ghenet!) and really feel them, rather than start something so I can bandage it over. I’m beyond grateful for the love and support you’ve shown me this week. I am so, so grateful for our little community.
Some much-needed time out and off
This week, I had a little time off from work, because annual leave needed to be used up, and time out, because I needed it. And I suppose in many ways I felt I deserved it. We’re now 11 months into a whole pandemic, and we’ve been expected to work and function exactly the way we did before – only life as we knew has completely changed. Grateful as I am to have kept my job throughout the pandemic, it’s truly done a number on me. So, I took Thursday off to recharge my batteries, read a little (spoiler: it never happened), watch some anime (my brother and I finally catching up on Attack on Titan!) and even pop out for a really cold socially distanced walk with a friend.
I often forget to take time out. I’m the sort of person who enjoys the variety. A little bit of everything. But this week has taught me how valuable it is to completely tune out from the everyday, and just let the day or days take control. Maybe it looks like how my day off did: extra hours in bed, reading the same first page of a book for an hour until you give up, lengthy phone calls with the best friends you could have, hand-making candles, letting yourself cry for a few hours, pacing around the lake with a friend.
Lunar New Year
We celebrated a low-key, understated Lunar New Year on Friday. Chinese New Year is one of the most important celebrations in our family, commemorating a new year and a chance to welcome in luck, fortune and joy. And, boy, do we need it. From cleaning the house to buying new clothes, to wearing red on the day, it was lovely to continue traditions and rituals, even when nothing feels normal.
Last year, we celebrated with extended family, gathering for a huge feast. Teaching my niece, nephew and little cousins the New Year greetings in Cantonese. Worrying a little about the pandemic and how the takeaways were performing. But it was joyful and loud and, looking back, a really precious moment. I can’t wait to be reunited with them all again.
More & Chai newness
Between all of my quietness on here, Louise and I have been squirrelling away at a new launch on & Chai. It went live yesterday, and we’re excited to share that we’re now stocking scented Soy Tealights! You’ll be able to pick from two collections, or pick up both for £16.
Hope you’ve had a wonderful week, and happy Valentine’s Day, my loves!
