🌼 August Wrapped

August… I didn’t float through it, but I didn’t drown either. I had moments where I wanted to cry myself to sleep, moments where everything felt too heavy, and moments where I wondered if I was doing anything right at all but I still woke up every day and lived it. And honestly? That counts.

But it wasn’t all sad. August had so many pockets of joy tucked into it, and I’m holding onto those.

🌟 Starting at MOSI with Izzy

The month kicked off with MOSI, and that day was just good. Like genuinely good. I did a whole post about it, and I’ll link it here if you want to read the full thing but the short version? I felt happy. Not overthinking, not spiraling, not waiting for something bad to happen. Just… happy. Me and Izzy, running around like two kids who forgot life was stressful.

📚 Reading Era Activated

This month was HUGE for reading. I started a new goal, got a new book, and somehow read 28 hours. That’s wild.

I use Bookly, and every few months they do a readathon with a theme. I’ve never completed one because life has been chaos, but this time I tried. It was “read 10 hours in 10 days,” and even with everything going on, I did it.

Technically I had 10 days, but I only read on 7 because I don’t read when I’m with Izzy and I still finished. I was so proud of myself.

Because I completed it, I get to pick out a new book (my favorite kind of reward).

I also hit all my other goals:

• reading more than 60 minutes each night
• finishing my 19‑book goal for the year
• and now I’m on book 24, because I bumped the goal up again

Reading has been the one thing that feels steady. It makes my nights softer.

💛 Work & Self-Focus

Work has been good. I’ve been trying to shift what I write about, figure out what actually makes me happy, and not force myself into topics that drain me.

I’ve been working out more, taking care of myself, and trying to build routines that feel like they’re for me, not for anyone else.

👨‍⚕️ Dad

Dad had three iron infusions this month. It was stressful at first waiting, worrying, hoping but he’s doing better now. There are still more appointments coming, but we’re taking it one day at a time. Seeing him improve makes everything feel a little lighter.

🎂 Willow

It was Willow’s birthday. I wasn’t there for her first, so I knew I wouldn’t be there for her second. Knowing it doesn’t make it hurt less.

It’s hard thinking she might grow up hating me because her mom decided I was a terrible person for saying no to my abuser and kicking her out. It’s hard seeing Emily with Willow and feeling that sting in my chest.

But I keep reminding myself: I did what was right. Even when it cost me everything.

🕊️ Abuela

The day after Willow’s birthday was my abuela’s death anniversary. So yeah… the whole weekend was heavy.

I kept thinking about how she would’ve been on my side. How she would’ve told me I did the right thing. How she would’ve hugged me and made me feel less alone in all of this.

It sucks not having her here. It sucks missing someone who always made things make sense.

August wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t easy. But it wasn’t hopeless either. I had joy, I had sadness, I had growth, and I had moments where I actually felt like myself again.

I survived August… I think. And maybe that’s enough.

Okay byeee, love you, go drink water and do something gentle for yourself today 💗