Kate’s Five Things #24

When the shit goes down…

Catching Up

You know how they say hope for the best but plan for the worst? I hate that phrase. I hate it because it’s true.

I was hoping we were heading for an upswing in 2024, and then one of our worst-case scenarios became a reality last week. It’s the kind of thing you plan for but hope never to face. Everyone is healthy (thank goodness) and we’re all physically OK.

The “event” happened on a Sunday. I went up, down, and sideways with all of the emotions we like to avoid. I’ve cried ancient cries that felt like my insides were turned inside out and back again. After I was wrung dry, the calm set in.

By the Friday that followed, I knew it was going to be OK. More than OK. 

Because most of what happens in life is out of our control, we do get to choose to think about it.

Beyond the lessons I’ve learned through the trying times in my life, I realize I am not meant to break. I think we’re all more resilient than we give ourselves credit for. Despite the questions about the future, I was able to get work done and feel proud of it. I was able to sign contracts for new business. I hosted a weeknight dinner party. I had energy for the kids. I wrote, a lot.

So. One foot in front of the other. We can be terrified and not lose our minds. Your support means the world to me. Let’s get on with it!

Last Week’s House Call

In last week’s newsletter, “How to Decide Where to Spend Money on Your Home,” I wrote about narrowing down your wants, needs, and desires when it comes to financing a home project.

Here’s a snippet:

“When we accept the realities of paying for and keeping up with trends, many of us realize it ISN’T what we actually want. We can then start asking ourselves this: What would REALLY improve the quality of life in my home? What would REALLY bring me more joy in my space?

If you don’t know exactly what matters to you, you will be stuck in a loop of envy and stress over the never-ending list of updates you probably cannot afford. You’ll be blind to the wonderful aspects your home already has. And we don’t want to live like that! No one gets everything they want in a home and the sooner we accept this, the sooner we can get out of that loop.”

If you like topics like this one, please consider upgrading to a House Call paid membership! It’s how I’m able to do more of this (writing and creating) and less sponsored content. Thank you to everyone who has become a paid supporter of my work.

How I'm feeling this week…

Like sparks are flying from my fingertips. I haven’t written this much in years. I’m figuring out how to capture it all right now. As for what to do with it, that’ll come in due time. We’ll have a little more content here on House Call, and hopefully a little more content everywhere else, too. You can read about my intentions for work in 2024 here.

What's in my cart…

 The jeans I was looking at a few weeks ago arrive today and I'll be sharing my thoughts on Insta. I’m looking for a new mascara that could top Tower 28 but really, nothing compares. I also purchased this belt and I LOVE the scale (seen in action here!). It makes simple outfits look a little more finished. I like an easy solution like that. 

What I'm consuming…

Books. A lot of them. I crashed through Maggie Smith’s You Could Make This Place Beautiful, listened to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s straight-shooting Be Useful: Seven Tools for Life, and revisited chapters of Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird to hone in my writing process.

What resonated with me…

This episode of The Ezra Klein Show: “How to Discover Your Own Taste.” This isn’t a conversation about distilling your unique attributes into a simplistic bucket system. It’s about allowing yourself to be curious about where your tastes lead you. To be human on an increasingly inhuman internet will become valuable, necessary, and an act of rebellion in sustaining our culture. 

Taste means knowing what your preferences are and not measuring them against public opinion. A lot of people don’t want the friction or discomfort that comes with the process of finding what delights them. Thanks to my sister who sent it to me and told me all of you would like it, too.

A question I've been asking myself lately…

What did I do today that I’m proud of? I’ve been writing down positive things I’ve accomplished each day (even little things like saying “no” or checking my bank balance are acknowledged). I would highly recommend it. 

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Space of the Week

The kitchen of @pandorataylor. Photo by @michaelsinclair. The paint color is Parma Gray and I love the mix of styles here. It’s unexpected, cool, and casual. Tour more of this gorgeous home on House & Garden.

xxx,

Kate