A Good Thriller, a Great Quote, & a Book-Flavored Movie

Blanche is unfortunately back, my friend. She’s decided to set up shop at my house for a week going on forever thus far, and honestly, I’m sick of her. I swear it’s like she knows May is Mental Health Awareness month, because she always seems to show up on my doorstep just before May 1st and I have to pull out every tool in my bag of tricks to get her to leave. God bless my family for what they’ve been putting up with this week. They’re angels. I’m fine really, but Blanche has got to go. So, this week’s email is devoted to five little things making life better in spite of Blanche.

If you know exactly what I’m talking about, chances are you either know the work of artist Robbie Williams, have seen my photo of Blanche on the ‘gram, or remember her from “A Gentle Summer Bucket List” or “Forest Wisdom for an Achy Soul”. Or maybe you’ve met her elsewhere and know her a little too intimately yourself, or are just realizing she lives with you too.

If you don’t know Blanche, I’m happy for you, I really am. Hopefully these five little things will make your life better regardless :)

#1

I don’t usually read thrillers (because #anxiety) but I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump lately (also because #anxiety). So when I ventured onto my favorite audiobook narrator’s Libro.fm page and saw the gorgeous This Story Might Save Your Life, I decided to give it a go. Thankfully it’s not a scary thriller because I was hooked from chapter one, couldn’t put it down, and finished it in short order. It’s SUCH a good story, and EXTREMELY delicious on audio thanks to Julia Whelan and Sean Patrick Hopkins. Highly, highly recommend!

#2

Finally! As of today, Shelby Van Pelt’s beautiful novel Remarkably Bright Creatures is a movie on Netflix! I was a latecomer to the book since I only just read it last month, but I fell hard for it immediately (the audio version is STELLAR, read by one of my favorite narrators Marin Ireland), and I’m beyond excited to see it on the screen. Here’s a link to all of the details about the movie starring Sally Field and Lewis Pullman. I’ll be popping my popcorn early tonight and begging everyone in my house to join me on the couch. I hope you’ll be watching too.

#3

As I mentioned up top, May is Mental Health Awareness month, so I want to highlight it here. Because mental health is important, and building good mental health habits is something every. single. person. will need to think about at some point in their life. (If you don’t believe that, just go ahead and unsubscribe from this email group, or lean in to learn more if you’re open to it.) If you’ve been feeling shaky lately, I want you to know you’re not alone. I want you to know there are people, resources, and especially books that can help ~ like Cory Muscara’s Stop Missing Your Life (link here) and this unconventional book stack for healthy living I go back to time and time again  ⤵

#4

A quote I’m holding tightly to right now is this one from Banksy: “if you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit” Rest is worth fighting for.

#5

Summer is approaching quickly and with it, all the things and likely more opportunities than we have time, energy, money, or resources to enjoy. If that overwhelms you, friend, can I offer this gentle summer bucket list practice I love? I tried it for the first time last summer and it really helped, so I’m doing it again.

I hope something in there encourages you this weekend. I’m heading out for a day of rest today in the form of long walks, a new audiobook, and putting my face in the sun before I’m knee-deep in spring cleaning for two days getting all the things ready for something very, very exciting. (More on that next week.)

All my love,

Celeste 💛