It’s time for time off. This has been one of my post productive summers ever, especially here on Substack. This week, I marked Week 18 of posting since I started writing at the end of April, publishing just over 50 posts. That’s an average of three a week! I could definitely squeeze in ten more end-of-summer goals, or do another sprint for subscriber numbers, but I’m happy where we are, and I’m happy you’re here. So, with that said, there’ll be a slight change in posting over the next few weeks as summer winds down.
From now until September 5, basically the next 3 weeks, we’ll cut down to two (2) posts a week:
Thursday Thoughts (for all subscribers)
The Saturday AM Drop (for paid subscribers only)
No bonus essays or extras during this end-of-summer break. Hoping to return with more content ideas, more flexibility and frequency, and a more permanent posting schedule!
Real talk, a major goal for this break is to *also* lose the 10lbs I gained from being on the couch all day building client decks, writing, and TikToking this summer. I’m pausing consulting projects until mid-Sept since work there is also due for a refresh. I’ve surprisingly and very voluntarily been clocking 12+ hour days, 7 days a week, filling my free time with research, writing, filming, and editing. I haven’t even been to my own apartment’s gym or pool, literalllly not even once since June Gloom ended! Even my little breaks to the deserts (plural — Mojave, Sonoran/Colorado) included mornings spent writing for self-prescribed deadlines!
Anyway, I’ll be using the rest of August to fade out whatever’s left of my ambitious summer. The main purpose? To fully reset my goals and motivations for the rest of the year. You should too! I’ve said it about a thousand times so far, but remember, August is a season of societal chaos. Mercury also goes into retrograde starting August 23. Let’s all use our good energy to its fullest potential for the next 7 days while we have a fighting chance.
My August Semi-Retired To-Do List
Long, fresh air walks or hikes every morning
Laptop loitering in coffee shops and hotel lobbies for deadline-free projects like re-launching my website. No real work and no writing allowed, just aimless scrolling, mood-boarding, conversation eavesdropping and people watching
Beach at least 3 days a week with a swim
Boyfriending the first man that asks me ** 1
Finally deciding if I’m getting braids or not (I literally need to decide now)
Mapping out financial goals, life goals, work goals, plus all of the dream goals now attached to my new era as an Internet Person
Finally clearing my culturework mailbox and June/July loose ends
Fruteros, roadside strawberries, and all those California things I didn’t do this summer
My August Anthem (Fantasy):
My August Anthem (Reality):
Candidate photos will go to the subscriber chat for final committee approval.
I always enjoy your insights. Enjoy your time off!
Btw: Holiday House is reopening in two weeks. Please drop me a line next time you are coming and I will fix you up with some great swag. Some wise person once said “You love those who love you back”
I just stopped by hotel. You are right; they changed it from 8’ deep to 4.5’ deep. I have no idea why they chose to fill it in. I just know that the pool needed to be resurfaced. I’m with you. I don’t mind a sun shelf but I do love a deep end.
The owners just partnered in Villa Royale and they have an all new menu and chef. I do believe they still have a deep end in their pool if that’s a deal breaker for you.
Either way, keep me posted when you’re coming back to Palm Springs and I will hook you up with some good swag.