Kate's Five Things #56

Goodbye, good girl.

I’ve been following the breadcrumbs of my intuition lately, and it’s been leading me to some strange places. I had always believed bringing children into the world was the moment I truly felt “grown up”, but recent events have brought about a different kind of end of innocence, one in which you truly understand what it means to protect your boundaries and goodwill from those who will exploit it. That there are some people out there who will bleed your good intentions, and they’ll be dressed up as your neighbors and friends, civil servants and authority figures.

This is all vague because it has to be. And yet it feels wrong to go about my life like I haven’t suddenly woken up. While I’ve been grieving this loss of innocence and the anger that has bloomed in its wake, I’ve also welcomed a new era of accountability and strength. For a long time, I’ve felt a strange, lingering sense of unease and vulnerability— the kind that feels like total exposure— but I couldn’t quite put my finger on it. That’s gone. And I’ll tell you it feels great. To begin to bring all my faculties online again. To know that being the “good girl” was really about safety and the comfort of others. To know I can let her go now, and be just fine.

And now, I’ve been asking what it means to trust ourselves in the face of people in positions of power, as well as the collective consciousness itself. How do we take back our power in places where we’ve been told to stay small? How do we speak truth in the face of those who benefit from our fear? Where does our identity truly reside beneath the surface of being agreeable, easy, and collaborative? How can we use it to push back, to say enough is enough, and stand where we might have otherwise felt powerless to do so?

House Call Last Week…

Earlier this week, I wrote about how to discover your inner designer. Here’s a snippet:

“Getting in touch with your inner designer isn’t about downloading more inspiration. It’s about learning how to tune in. Clearing the static of Instagram and Pinterest and your mother-in-law's thoughts about your dated kitchen. It’s being okay with pipe cleaners for cabinet handles because you waited to find the right knobs at the price you felt good about spending. Inner compasses are found through learning the sound of your own ‘yes.’ And knowing how to trust the nos. The maybes. The clear ‘yes’ to saying ‘let’s wait.’”

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Five Questions (for you and me)

When did you feel most at home this week?
My dog has been doing this strange thing for over a year now, where she goes outside and just stares east. We always joke about how creepy it is, and now I fear it’s another odd way of confirming that, yes indeed, something has felt off for a long time. So when Winnie stands guard before going to poop in the yard? I find it oddly comforting.

Where are you moving forward?
Saying no.

Where are you stuck?
Thinking I need to justify my no.

What did you consume that was regenerative?
I am rereading Women Who Run With the Wolves and relate to it on an entirely different level than I did in my mid-thirties.

What question are you asking?
What if you’re right?

Your turn. Pen to paper, or whatever works.

Five Things I am Using and Loving

1. Everyday Intuition by Elizabeth Greenwood. A refreshingly curious take on how we access our gut instincts. It’s like having a wise, witty friend remind you that you already know what you need to know. In a world that glorifies rational data and is accelerating with the advancements of AI, I can’t help but wonder if we’re missing where intuition fits into the next big leap in human potential.

2. This KULE set is so cute for summer. Retro, cheerful, and effortlessly cool. It makes me feel like I’m soaking up the start of summer, skipping rope or wasting the day away at the park with the kids—even if I’m just running errands. It comes in a bunch of colors, too.

3. This full coverage wire bra from Else. I am slowly getting rid of my tattered Amazon garments and bringing in pieces that make me feel powerful underneath my momfits. Love the quality and cuts from this brand. This style is perfect for wearing under tight tees when you need a lift and don’t want bulging along the bra line. I have my eye on this set as well. Love the color.

4. Where Should We Begin game. Borrowed from Esther Perel’s brilliance, this card game nudges you into meaningful conversations (the kind that surprise you, in a good way, I think). We played with friends over the weekend, and it was a lot of fun while creating moments of genuine connection. Games like this give guardrails around vulnerability.

5. This Sacheu all-day lip liner. It stays put and somehow makes me feel just a little more pulled together, even on “meh” days. It doesn’t look like makeup, just a subtle darkening of the lip line. I got the best seller bundle.

   Rooms of Our Own

This week, we’re hearing from Emily.

This is my dining room. From where I sit, in the chair closest to the window, I feel a bit like a sea captain guiding my crew through calm or choppy waters, depending on the day.

Last year, we remodeled our house from the ground up, and this was one of the rooms I was looking forward to most. It's an open floor plan, but the interior windows give the space definition without blocking natural light in the way a regular wall would.

On school days, I prod my middle schoolers to finish their breakfast and pack their bags, while I feed the toddler her oatmeal. My husband takes my older daughter to school, and since the driveway is right outside the window, they always stop and wave. It's one of those memories the toddler won't have, but we will...

We haven't been back in our home for very long, but it already feels nostalgic to me.

We need more submissions! Have a corner of home that feels true? Send a photo and a few words to kate@housecall.com.

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Until next week,
Kate

P.S. The most beautiful homes are never the most composed ones.