August Reflections: Finding Balance in Busy Days
Okay, so this post is a little overdue. I was supposed to publish it weeks ago, but I ran into a security problem with my website. I had to reach out to my hosting provider, and thankfully, the issue was finally fixed. Their tech support was really helpful and guided me through the steps, so now everything is back on track.
Anyway…. As August comes to a close, I can’t help but feel a mix of relief and gratitude. This month turned out to be busier than I expected. The days slipped away faster than I could keep up. Some days felt heavy, with little energy left for myself, and I noticed I didn’t get to write or share as much as I had hoped.
Slow mornings and the quiet evenings where I could just breathe and reset kept me grounded, even when everything else felt overwhelming. August reminded me that it’s okay if not everything gets done. It’s okay to rest. It’s okay to simply show up for the people and things that matter most.
A Much-Needed Staycation
One of my favorite highlights from this month was a quick staycation with the family. It wasn’t anything grand or far away, but it was exactly what we needed. Just a change of scenery, and a cozy place to stay.
I didn’t realize how much I craved that pause until we were there. For once, I wasn’t staring at my laptop or thinking about what meal to cook next. Instead, I got to just sit back, enjoy, and watch Isaac run around with so much excitement. He loved exploring every corner, and the best part was having us all together without the usual distractions.
We even managed to squeeze in a small family photoshoot, which made the stay even more memorable.
Reading Wins: Four Books in One Month
Another thing that made me really happy this August was finishing four books. Yes! Honestly, I did not expect that at all with how busy the month felt. Between work and all the little things at home, I thought reading would take a backseat. But I guess when you love something, you somehow find ways to make time for it. Because at the end of the day, these little joys are what keep me sane and happy.
Reading is my way of slowing down. It’s my way of recharging and finding calm when everything else feels too much. Each book I read this month felt like a small journey on its own. They gave me comfort, new perspectives, and even a sense of accomplishment in the middle of such a busy season.
Out of the four, my favorite read was Caraval by Stephanie Garber. I absolutely loved it and gave it 5 stars. The magical setting and twists in the story made it such a fun escape. I couldn’t put it down! I read it while also listening to the audiobook, and it made the whole experience even better.
Journaling and Slow Moments
This August, I also found time to journal more, and it felt really good. I don’t write every day, but when I do, it feels like my thoughts have somewhere to go. Some days I just wrote down a few things I was thankful for, and other days I just did a bit of junk journaling.
Katabasis Release
Okay… my most impulsive buy this month was the Katabasis Deluxe Edition in HB. I honestly had zero plans of getting it. In fact, I even promised myself I’d only buy another R.F. Kuang book once I finally finish Yellowface (which, let’s be real, is still sitting unfinished on my nightstand).
But then I saw it on sale for just ₱1,100+ on National Bookstore for pre-order, and it looked sooo pretty. I couldn’t resist.
It was supposed to ship out by September 24, which I thought was fine because it would give me time to prepare myself. But to my surprise, it arrived earlier this week. Of course, I had to do an unboxing on TikTok because it was just too gorgeous not to share. It actually has a minor misprint. Honestly, I don’t even mind. I kind of like it because it makes it more unique.
So that’s it for August! Looking back, it wasn’t a perfect month, but it was full of small joys that made it meaningful. I’m excited to see what September brings and hopefully carry over some of these good habits into the new month.
How was your month? I’d love to hear what little moments made it special for you too.
With Love,
Nicole S.
