The Brightside Vol 18

May15th, 2020

ON REPEAT:

I Did It To Myself, Orla Gartland

found via Normal People - which has been the absolute best show to grace Hulu this quarantine. who's watching?!

Hi there

I honestly don't even know where to start with this week's Brightside. This is the first week that truly felt like one big question mark. All of the days are blurring together and I noticed myself feeling really antsy to get back to New York.

On Instagram I see the spring starting to bring the city to life a little bit more and I just feel ready to get back. I know things are still really serious in the city and it will be a long, long path towards our new reality, but I don't feel as scared as I did when we got down to Florida. For a while I dreaded even the thought of going back but something changed this week.

I think the shift has to do with me finally accepting the truth that life will not be the same as it was when we left. In March I really thought this whole thing was going to just last a few weeks and things would go back to normal quickly. But all of the sudden two weeks turned into two months and we're no closer to a solution. Accepting that (like, really accepting that truth and letting go of pre-COVID NYC) was a painful process. It really, really fricken hurts to see NYC in so much pain. I think about not being able to go to some of my favorite restaurants again, or god forbid my yoga studio, and it brings me to tears. Weirdly though, it felt good to sit with my sadness and accept it. Now I'm looking ahead to our upcoming move and getting really excited. I think Zach and I might be applying for an apartment TODAY actually - so stay tuned!

And by the way, while I am very excited to get back to NYC, that doesn't mean I won't miss Florida a whole lot. Working outside by the pool, getting to spend time with Zach, Theresa and Rick ... it's been so special. I'm savoring our time down here and I'm so thankful that this is where we've been able to weather the storm. Big thank you to Theresa and Rick for taking us in without question <3

So anyway. That's where I'm at. How are YOU?! Seriously, please tell me. I miss you and want to email.

[email protected] 

Sanity Check

Other than missing NYC, it's been a solid week. A few weeks ago my brother shared this quarantine checklist with me, where you start each day with the following questions:

• What am I grateful for today?

• Who am I checking in with or connecting with today?

• What expectation of "normal" am I letting go of?

• How am I getting outside today?

• How am I moving my body?

• What beauty am I inviting in today?

This exercise has been a really, really positive thing for me and I wanted to share it out. It’s such a nice way to build awareness during the day and focus on things that are good. It’s really helped me, and I’d love to know if you've developed any rituals that make you feel a little more grounded <3.

How many books do you read at once?

I keep talking about this with people: how many books do you have going at one time? I usually I have three books going at once - a self-help/career book, a novel, and a memior - because that's just how my attention span works and I like being able to read what I'm in the mood for!

But this has been a controversial topic! So I'd love to know your perspective here. Email me back if you have thoughts. I'll share a roundup of opinions on this surprisingly taboo topic next week!

Photo via Goop. PS, I can't wait to go spend a million dollars at McNally Jackson again someday.

The Week in Pictures

From top: a beautiful Florida sunset, Zach trying to get me to laugh while I was on a video call (he slid under my chair, I did laugh), a beautiful bouqet that I got Theresa for mother's day, and a DELICIOUS SANDWICH! That I made!

Lapis Oil Review

During the Sephora sale I snagged a bottle of Lapis Oil per the recommendation of my good friend/personal skincare guru Sam Cillo (Theresa actually sneakily treated me to this, which was SO nice!). Anyway Sam raved about the oil so I thought I'd give it a try to address uneven skintone and redness from spending so much time in the sun. Even before coming down to FL my skin was very breakout prone and I felt like nothing I did was helping balance it out. UNTIL THIS.

Listen. To. Me. This is the magic product we've all been looking for. Or at least, the one I've been looking for. My skin is the clearest it's been in a LONGGGG time which is really a blessing right now. I apply a few drops after washing my face, before putting on moisturizer in the morning and at night.

Highs & Lows

High: Normal People on Hulu. The show is SO well done and really does the book justice. I agree with a lot of the buzz online, I think it's almost better than the book - it brings the story alive in such a raw way. And the soundtrack is so INCREDIBLE.

Low: I feel like I've been doing a really bad job keeping in touch with my friends / reaching out recently. So if I've been slow to respond via text, please don't take it personally, and nudge me to respond! And honestly, I'm a much better emailer than texter, so if you want to get in touch that's the best way to reach me.

Oh my god the apartment brainstorming has begun. I loveee these glasses from Verishop, I think they're going to be the first thing I order, ha!

love you

mean it