Sundaze 279: Slowing down, packing up and making plans
Happy Sundaze, my loves!
Life feels perfectly slow at the moment. Although, I can hardly believe it’s already October? The days are slow but the weeks and months slip by so quickly. My days are filled with morning magic routines before my 9-5, and then cosy evenings of pottering, rustling up a comforting autumnal meal from scratch, reading on the sofa with Milo, and sometimes a writing evening here and there. After a busy summer (and spring!), it’s nice to slow things down to the autumn beat and go by our own rhythm. Weekends have looked a lot like long country walks – often in the direction of a good pub – and naps, and reading side-by-side, and popping in to see family (and snag a cup of tea).
Since my work schedule changed a few weeks ago, I’ve really had to pull everything back and rebuild a new routine from scratch. And I wouldn’t say that’s something I typically handle very well. I’m a girlie that lives by their bullet journal and a good routine! Now that I’m spending more time at the office, it means fewer hobby hours, less quick at-home errands and more organisation to pack in all of my ‘bits’ while I am at home, amidst a busy multi-generational family living setup. I’m, of course, much more tired: this introvert thrives on alone time and it is markedly more difficult to write creatively in the office when surrounded by my colleagues. But I’m surprisingly finding it a total joy to see my team more! Sure, the productivity isn’t as good as it was, but my company already assured us that they simply want to see better connections, not an uptick in productivity. Strangely, I’m seeing the benefits of that.
Speaking of change, my boyfriend and I will be moving in together soon. But, not before a series of trips, which allows me to flex my packing skills. We’re headed to Malaysia, then Hong Kong, then Reykjavík, then Paris, and then it’ll be our adventure of a lifetime as we build a cosy life and home together. Packing almost always makes me feel nostalgic and sentimental: the physical act of separating items from their little homes and taking it away, even if temporarily. I’ll of course share postcards from our trips and adventures!
My everyday non-negotiables
- Throw open a window in the morning
- Matcha latte
- Gym session/dog walk/gentle movement
- Skincare routine
- Handwriting a to-do list
- Daily gratitude
- Fragrance of the day
Go-to (vegan) autumn meals
- Creamy Vegan Pasta Bake with Brussels Sprouts
- Roasted Cherry Tomato and Garlic Orzo
- Vegan Wholewheat Spaghetti Bolognese
- Fish Finger Bhorta – use the M&S Plant Kitchen Fish-less Goujons
Over on Substack
- Autumn Days
- Books I Wish I Could Read Again for the First Time
- The September Sundaze
- Open-hearted joys 開開心心 № 02
- In The Outsiders’ Club
Enjoy 20% off my paid reader tier on Substack, as a loyal Daisybutter reader.
Links I’ve Loved
- Adored this essay ‘Sometimes the world is as small as we make it’ by Freya over on Substack.
- Liv’s back to school moodboard was a total dream.
- I’ve got my eye on this blazer for my wardrobe next.
- This Kindle sleeve is so pretty and practical.
- The Everygirl’s October wallpapers are SO beautiful!
- I’m sorely tempted by this bold red cardigan and its intricate navy-style buttons.
- Loved Soph’s essay on wanting to be like other girls, a love letter to women, girlhood and femininity.
