It’s been a little quiet on the blog lately, and I wanted to check in—not because I feel like I have to, but because writing still feels like home, even when life pulls me in twelve directions at once.

The past week has been… a whirlwind. I just got back from vacation (which was lovely), and basically the second I got home, real life looked at me and said, “Welcome back, hope you’re ready to sprint.” Spoiler alert: I wasn’t.

First came the Indy 500—a sacred tradition in my family and honestly one of the most emotionally charged, beautiful, overstimulating events I’ve ever been to. Between the roar of the engines, the crowds, the beer, the goosebumps during TAPS, and maybe a little weed, I’ve needed a few days to mentally and physically recover. (Sensory overload is real, y’all.)

The night before the race? Oh, just me staying up until 2 a.m. helping my boyfriend assemble what can only be described as The World’s Most Evil DIY Desk. Like, this desk might be haunted. It came with 200 pieces and emotional damage. But we did it. Kind of. I think.

Also, I still haven’t unpacked from vacation. At this point, I’m just pulling clean-ish things from it like it’s a makeshift dresser with commitment issues.

Speaking of sorority things—I’ve got some catching up to do. While I was away, I tried to unplug a bit, which means now I’m re-plugging with a vengeance and going through AAC emails like I’m Indiana Jones dodging boulders.

Oh—and I start a part-time job tomorrow. Just something low-key to help out at my boyfriend’s law office. It feels aligned, supportive, and chill… which is the exact opposite of how my nervous system is reacting, but we’re breathing through it.

Also, the Pacers are in the playoffs, which means there’s been a lot of yelling at the TV, celebratory pacing, and emotional investment in players I didn’t know the names of three months ago. Worth it.

All of this is just to say: I’ve been busy. Not in the hustle-culture, rise-and-grind kind of way—but in the messy, human, “how do I do all of this and still be myself?” kind of way.

And while I haven’t had much time to paint, read, or write… I’ve been living. Which counts for something. Maybe even everything.

So if you’ve been feeling behind or out of sorts or like your creative self has been hiding under a pile of responsibilities—I see you. I am you.

New posts are coming soon. I just needed a second to catch my breath—and maybe find a clean pair of socks.