• Life lately… I’ve slowed alllll the way down since moving into our new home a little over a month ago. Sure, we have a good number of unfinished projects, furniture to find (a true challenge when living on an island — IYKYK) and still a few boxes to unpack, but the truth is, our little blue bungalow already feels very homey. The old Shannan believed that ‘play’ should always follow ‘work’ or at least wait until enough boxes on the never-ending to-do list were checked off, but present-day Shannan is learning that the opposite is way more effective. So here I am, saying yes to more beach days, to running through the grass, to unplugging long enough to recharge. If you have the time, take it. Take alllll of it. And don’t feel guilty, not even for a second. Sometimes, the work can wait.
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    Life lately… I’ve slowed alllll the way down since moving into our new home a little over a month ago. Sure, we have a good number of unfinished projects, furniture to find (a true challenge when living on an island — IYKYK) and still a few boxes to unpack, but the truth is, our little blue bungalow already feels very homey. The old Shannan believed that ‘play’ should always follow ‘work’ or at least wait until enough boxes on the never-ending to-do list were checked off, but present-day Shannan is learning that the opposite is way more effective. So here I am, saying yes to more beach days, to running through the grass, to unplugging long enough to recharge. If you have the time, take it. Take alllll of it. And don’t feel guilty, not even for a second. Sometimes, the work can wait.
  • Two weeks ago we moved into our little blue bungalow! We’ve been knee deep in unpacking, sorting, and organizing all the things, but I think we are finally on the other side of it all —moving with a toddler is definitely different 🤪. After 4+ years of renting, I can’t tell you how good it feels to have our own space again! Slowly but surely we’ll style this home to make it feel like ours. Let the fun begin!
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    Two weeks ago we moved into our little blue bungalow! We’ve been knee deep in unpacking, sorting, and organizing all the things, but I think we are finally on the other side of it all —moving with a toddler is definitely different 🤪. After 4+ years of renting, I can’t tell you how good it feels to have our own space again! Slowly but surely we’ll style this home to make it feel like ours. Let the fun begin!
  • Growing up I was never my best friend’s best friend. They’d always say another name (or two) before mine. Maybe you can relate? I’ve had my share of varied friendships in years since —some that have also felt unbalanced or unfair, and others where I’ve simply been overjoyed by the mutual desire to deepen a bond between us both. But becoming a mother has changed everything. Being someone’s entire world has filled a void I didn’t realize I’ve had since childhood. Knowing that I have this built-in best friend who always chooses me first is beyond special. And secretly, I hope that never changes. *photo of 8.5 month old Isla girl by auntie B @bettinabogar (we miss you!)
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    Growing up I was never my best friend’s best friend. They’d always say another name (or two) before mine. Maybe you can relate? I’ve had my share of varied friendships in years since —some that have also felt unbalanced or unfair, and others where I’ve simply been overjoyed by the mutual desire to deepen a bond between us both. But becoming a mother has changed everything. Being someone’s entire world has filled a void I didn’t realize I’ve had since childhood. Knowing that I have this built-in best friend who always chooses me first is beyond special. And secretly, I hope that never changes. *photo of 8.5 month old Isla girl by auntie B @bettinabogar (we miss you!)
  • After a year of crossed-out and cancelled plans, your 2021 want-to-do list might be looking quite long. I say this because I know mine was. At the start of January I found myself furiously jotting down ideas and intentions —things I hoped to pick back up again after having to hit the pause button on them last year. My friend Chelsea describes this temptation perfectly as “willing [ourselves] to be more productive and active and vibrant in every direction”. Ooof. That was me. But after what was possibly the most unpredictable year, where just about everything in my life felt up in the air, I found myself yearning to simply feel rooted and tethered to the ground. Living out of a suitcase for 3+ months will do that to you... This led me to declaring an undertone for the coming months be one of D E P T H vs. W I D T H — A series of slow and savored moments. Time to simmer on and fully digest new thoughts and ideas, before entertaining others. A narrowed focus on few, yet meaningful projects. This may not be the year to do it all, but it can be the year to do it 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙.
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    After a year of crossed-out and cancelled plans, your 2021 want-to-do list might be looking quite long. I say this because I know mine was. At the start of January I found myself furiously jotting down ideas and intentions —things I hoped to pick back up again after having to hit the pause button on them last year. My friend Chelsea describes this temptation perfectly as “willing [ourselves] to be more productive and active and vibrant in every direction”. Ooof. That was me. But after what was possibly the most unpredictable year, where just about everything in my life felt up in the air, I found myself yearning to simply feel rooted and tethered to the ground. Living out of a suitcase for 3+ months will do that to you... This led me to declaring an undertone for the coming months be one of D E P T H vs. W I D T H — A series of slow and savored moments. Time to simmer on and fully digest new thoughts and ideas, before entertaining others. A narrowed focus on few, yet meaningful projects. This may not be the year to do it all, but it can be the year to do it 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑙.
  • The sun is setting on 2020. A year of learning and unlearning. of becoming and unbecoming. of the both/and. ⠀ both grief and joy. ⠀ both strength and surrender. ⠀ both isolation and inclusivity. We’ve spent much of the year apart from one another, yet shared in one collective experience. For that, I am grateful. Grateful for this spirit of togetherness I feel despite living in a world that is still very much divided. To be able to relate to, and empathize with someone I walk past on the sidewalk; a complete stranger, in ways I’m not sure I would have otherwise. This past year has held so much, it’s hard to put into words. Despite the emotional weight and the challenges beyond belief, we are still here on December 31st, ready and willing to brave another day, another year. We are innately capable, courageous, wildly resilient —that’s what it means to be human. If 2020 has shown you anything, I hope it has shown you this to be true. So take that knowing with you. Raise a glass to it tonight. Carry it across the threshold into the new year. 2020 did not break us. Nah, we’re stronger than ever. *A special thank you to those of you who walked alongside me, remained in my corner, and supported me through my first year of motherhood. Because of you, I never felt alone in what has arguably been one of the most transformative years of my life. 🙏🏼✨🥂
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    The sun is setting on 2020. A year of learning and unlearning. of becoming and unbecoming. of the both/and. ⠀ both grief and joy. ⠀ both strength and surrender. ⠀ both isolation and inclusivity. We’ve spent much of the year apart from one another, yet shared in one collective experience. For that, I am grateful. Grateful for this spirit of togetherness I feel despite living in a world that is still very much divided. To be able to relate to, and empathize with someone I walk past on the sidewalk; a complete stranger, in ways I’m not sure I would have otherwise. This past year has held so much, it’s hard to put into words. Despite the emotional weight and the challenges beyond belief, we are still here on December 31st, ready and willing to brave another day, another year. We are innately capable, courageous, wildly resilient —that’s what it means to be human. If 2020 has shown you anything, I hope it has shown you this to be true. So take that knowing with you. Raise a glass to it tonight. Carry it across the threshold into the new year. 2020 did not break us. Nah, we’re stronger than ever. *A special thank you to those of you who walked alongside me, remained in my corner, and supported me through my first year of motherhood. Because of you, I never felt alone in what has arguably been one of the most transformative years of my life. 🙏🏼✨🥂