There were a few things in this week’s video that I didn’t fully explain and I thought it might be nice to share a little more context here.
Sometimes it’s hard to fit everything into a video without over-explaining or shifting the tone too much. So this is where I can slow it down a bit and talk more openly.
Why I Made This Video
This one came from a feeling I kept noticing lately as I started the snail mail business and I had been recovering from surgery. Plus just doing all of the other things in life that needed to be done.
I keep falling behind - trying to live slowly in busy days real life diaries
So there was this huge sense of feeling behind and just not enough time in the day to do what I needed to do and still live slow. I'm sure you can relate.
Which honestly felt strange, considering how much I’ve been focusing on slowing my life down.
But the last few months have been full. In a beautiful way though.
There’s a lot happening at once.
And I wanted to show what that actually looks like in real life—because slow living doesn’t mean nothing is happening.
It just means how you move through those days - busy or not.
My channel has always been about sharing my experience in the hope that, in some way, it resonates with you too.
I think we’ve all had seasons where there’s simply too much on our plate, and even when it’s good stuff, the sheer volume of it can still feel overwhelming.
If I’m being really honest, there have been times in the past when I’ve felt so overloaded that I just wanted to throw my hands up, sit on the couch, and eat a bowl of ice cream. Not because that would solve anything (except make my taste buds happy), but because when my brain feels too much chaos at once, it doesn’t always know how to sort through it. Sometimes it just wants to shut down.
Overwhelm has a way of doing that. It can make you feel so mentally flooded that doing nothing feels easier than figuring out where to begin.
That’s something I’ve had to really work on over the years so I don’t fall back into that numbing, checked-out place.
The “feeling behind” part
I didn’t go too deep into this in the video, but that feeling doesn’t come from one specific thing.
It’s more subtle than that.
It shows up in small moments like:
- looking at a list that didn’t fully get checked off
- realizing something needs to be pushed to tomorrow
- thinking I should be a little further along by now
Even when objectively, I’m doing a lot.
That’s the part I’ve been paying attention to.
Because it’s not always about reality — sometimes it’s just an old pattern trying to sneak back in.
*This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosures for more info.
The Story Post (behind the scenes)
Putting together the new snail mail club, The Story Post, has been a fun part of this busy season.
But also a lot more work than I expected upfront.
Things like:
- figuring out printing processes
- sourcing materials
- testing layouts
- writing the letters
- packaging decisions
There’s a lot that goes into something that feels simple on the outside.
But I really love it.
And I didn’t want to rush that process just to “keep up.”
I know once I get through the first mailing and my process are created, it will be so much easier from a time stand point.
I really love my business, making the videos for YouTube, and blogging - however - the snail mail business has been a different kind of fun.
It has really opened up this whole other side of me creatively that I have fallen in love with. My passion for art, painting, writing, finding beautiful, thoughtful ways to create something meaningful for you.
Would you believe 372 of you signed up for the very first month of The Story Post? I’m honestly blown away.
I’m so deeply thankful for every single one of you.
As I’m writing this, I’m tearing up a little, because I still have moments of imposter syndrome more often than you might think. There are times when I can hardly believe I get to do this — to share from my heart, to make things that feel meaningful to me, and to connect with people in such a genuine way.
There was a time in my life when I often felt like I didn’t quite belong (I've literally said to myself that I wasn't made for this world), so to have this kind of connection now - it means more to me than I can really put into words.
It truly makes my heart so happy.
By the way, May is open if you want to join.
A quick note on my health
I briefly mentioned the kidney stone surgery in the video, but what I didn’t really say is how long it actually took to feel like myself again.
Longer than I expected. I didn't start feeling better until mid-March which is about 3 months after the last stent was removed. The pain that I went through took a toll on my body and my mind.
I feel like I have PTSD from that whole ordeal.
When the doctor tells that you that kidney stone pain is far worse than an unmedicated child birth - I believed him from my experience and pain level.
I think that played a bigger role than I realized in that “behind” feeling.
The good news is — I do feel better now. Fully recovered.
My coffee setup
In the video I show you how I make my coffee and a lot of you asked about my coffee setup, so I’ll link everything here:
- Moka Pot (4-cup): https://amzn.to/4sw1um3
- Coffee Grinder: https://amzn.to/4cnQ5OZ
- Milk Frother: https://amzn.to/4tAiok7
- Unbleached Filters: https://amzn.to/3OhK8uP
- Dosing Funnel: https://amzn.to/4swTSzF
- Coffee kitchen scale: https://amzn.to/4vp377t
- Coffee canister airtight: https://amzn.to/48zhyvR
- Coffee scoop: https://amzn.to/48ufllt
- Distribution tool: https://amzn.to/4cB1UT7
It’s honestly one of my favorite parts of the day.
The Ninja Creami and Recipe
I’m still loving the Ninja Creami.
I went back and forth on buying it for a long time and I’m really glad I did. Yes, it's another appliance in the kitchen which is somewhat irritating (because I don't like the clutter) and it's a bit tall so I had to find a place for it.
It’s been an easy way to get more protein in without feeling like I’m forcing it which is a huge bonus!
The version I made in the video was this recipe:
Add all ingredients to the container saving milk for last then fill the container with milk to the freeze line. You can use any milk you want, just note that the less fat in your milk or cottage cheese the more icy the ice cream will be.
Sometimes I'll use 1/2 almond milk and 1/2 milk just to cut the calories a bit and if I do that I had 1/4 tsp guar gum to make sure it's still creamy and doesn't get too icy.
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 scoop Protein Powder, strawberry and the other was cookies and cream (love these because there is collagen in it!)
- 1 tsp sweetener - I use allulose
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Optional: Creatine powder 5 grams
- Fairlife milk (as much as needed to fill to freeze line on container)
- Mix-ins of your choice. For my strawberry cheesecake version I added about 2 tablespoons of granola and 1 tablespoon of pecans.
Freeze this for at least 24 hours.
Remove from freezer and run the sides under hot water for about 1 minute.
Spin on "light ice cream" on the Ninja Creami. Then remove the lid and scrape the sides with a knife. Next spin again using "respin". Then add your mix-ins and select that option on your machine. If you don't have mix-ins, I do one more respin. It has a much better texture when I do the third spin.
Simple, but really good.
The Puzzle
Apparently there are a lot of puzzle lovers here, which honestly makes me so happy. A bunch of you asked about the puzzle and the supplies from this week’s video, so I’ve linked everything here for you.
- The Paris puzzle: https://amzn.to/4swEXVS
- The Puzzle board (for 1000 pieces): https://amzn.to/4teZeAK
- Puzzle glue and spatula: https://amzn.to/4tMVupZ
- Puzzle frame with mat (22x29 frame which is 20x27 matted): https://amzn.to/4c8RYjM
- Command strips to hang pictures and puzzle: https://amzn.to/41u9hWm
What I’m learning
I don’t think I’m behind.
I think I’m just in a season where:
- things are being built
- things are being figured out
- and life is happening at the same time
I think that’s what it’s supposed to look like.
I don’t get upset with myself anymore if I can’t figure it all out. I’m not working until 2:00 in the morning just to force everything off my list.
I still keep things slow.
I let myself sleep until I wake up. No alarm clocks.
I stop working at a reasonable time. I make sure I eat well. Sometimes that takes a little planning, and sometimes it’s as simple as a chicken breast, some steamed broccoli, and a scoop of cottage cheese on the side. Super easy.
I go to bed when I’m tired. If that’s 6:30 p.m.—which it has been some nights—then that’s when I go to bed.
This pace feels good to me.
The Table
I also host a small membership space here on the site called The Table. I called it that because I picture it as people gathered around a table — probably with a piping hot mug of coffee or tea — talking, listening, asking questions, and sharing their experiences. We also have a small book club there where we will read and talk about books together.
If that sounds like your kind of space, you’re always welcome to pull up a chair to "The Table".
The Table: A small, thoughtful space for conversation, shared experiences, and slowing down together.
If you watched the video
I’d love to know what part of it you related to the most.
Leave me a comment please. We would all love to hear from you. 💛
