Sundaze 254: Family Time, Birthdays and A Sheepish Hello

Happy Sunday, my loves.

Gosh, this must be the fourth time that I’ve written a ‘Sundaze 254’ but only the first that it’s actually surfaced on my blog. You see, I keep penning them with the good intention of sharing, but I constantly forgot to press ‘Publish’ or I’d get a weird sense of stage fright – as though even these simple little updates weren’t enough to share.

Well, enough of that, I’m saying!

I’ve really missed posting here. I only managed a handful of blog posts in April and I can’t even pinpoint one particular reason. Largely the aforementioned stage fright, but also life feels a tiny bit too much. Not too busy, but just too much. I have time but not the capacity to use it well. I have energy but I choose to pour it in different cups. I have thoughts but I can’t seem to formulate the ‘right’ way to share them. In moments like these, sometimes just getting through to another day is productive. I mentioned it briefly in an ‘Open-hearted joys’ post, but I’m slowly recognising myself again after a few weeks (or months) of poorer mental health than I’m used to.

And that’s okay!

One step, 1%, at a time.

An abundance of family time

It’s been an exciting week for the Chai’s, because my Dad returned from his four-month trip back home in Malaysia. He hadn’t been back since 2019, when we all visited for several family occasions, and had been desperate to hug his Mama (my Grandma!). We all headed to Heathrow to greet him at Arrivals and it was truly so much fun, like something out of Love Actually! But Dad is finally home and we’re all very excited about it! Thanks to sunnier days, we’ve spent plenty of time in his garden and out on walks with Milo. (Let’s not even talk about how excited Milo was to see him!)

Birthdays

This week, we also had two birthdays to celebrate! It was my sister’s birthday on the 4^th, so we popped out for dinner at a local restaurant and had a very low-key celebration. I surprised her with The Book of Mormon tickets, which I can’t wait to see! And on the 1^st, we celebrated my boyfriend’s nephew’s first birthday with a little family party – the cutest thing ever.

Spring renewal

And, finally, I’ve just been working hard on… myself. I haven’t felt myself in a while and it’s been frustrating to sit amongst. I’m usually somebody that is very in tune with how they feel and I’ve often been well-equipped to tackle these moments – thanks to my counsellor – but I’ve just been flailing this time and living through the mundane.

It’s been hard work, but things that’ve helped include mind-dumping on notebook pages, trying to keep to a routine, getting as much fresh air as possible, focusing on the now rather than the murky future, paring things right back and scheduling in fun date nights with my boyfriend and fun date days with my friends.

Slowly but surely, I’m recognising myself and not feeling the sads quite as much. Heck, I even treated myself to the Stella McCartney Logo Raffia Medium Basket Bag for those coveted spring days and balmy summer evenings. I’m determined to get back to the ‘me’ that I most remember and enjoy.

Links I’ve Loved

I really admired my friend Lizzie’s candid and heartfelt life update. In this new chapter of the digital age, it can be really tough for ‘OG’ bloggers to work out their ‘why’, and it’s something I’ve definitely struggled with too.
This article on the Metro from last week was fascinating.
I made this Vegan Tandoori Tofu for dinner last week and again this week. Sooo easy and tasty – I totally recommend!
My friend Sian recently launched some new art on their online shop, Be Messy Be Magic, and the pieces are all stunning – perfect if you’re completing a little spring refresh at home.
The Everygirl shared 25 ways to be more sustainable and they’re fairly great tips and habits to adopt!
I love The Good Trade’s daily newsletter, The Daily Good. It’s full of engaging and inspiring reads centred around mindful, sustainable living but, most of all, I love the opening line of each, which feels like a daily affirmation. More often than note, they go straight into my bullet journal’s daily rolling log.
It’s nearly linen trousers weather and I’m looking forward to trying some of these outfits out.
The First Mess’ Crispy Smashed Potatoes and Vegan Green Goddess Sauce recipe looks SO good!