Hello hello!
Sharing this summery outfit today which is kind of funny because as I’m sitting typing this it’s actually pouring with rain and we seem to have reverted back to winter here in Perth!
Ah well - the warm weather will be with us soon enough.
I’m very much looking forward to getting a chance to wear my summer dresses soon as I didn’t really get a chance to last year (dresses sadly aren’t very breastfeeding friendly!)
Here’s one of my favourites that you will recognise if you’ve been a long time blog reader. It’s my super bright “feel good” dress that I’ve had for years and that is perfect to throw on whenever I need a pep up! Something small to lift my spirits when things are feeling overwhelming or just too much.
On this particular day it was super hot and we were going for a walk so I threw on this pink linen shirt and my straw hat for a little sun protection, and I really like how it all looks together! Just goes to show, no matter how old a piece is you can always find fun new ways to style it that will make it feel fresh and new!
To be honest I’ve been needing all the things to try and pep me up lately - it’s been a bit of a struggle adjusting to being back at work and finding the balance with working and mum life.
I’m not writing this to complain because I know I am so fortunate to have really great support, but nevertheless, getting back into a routine (particularly with Tom working away during the week) has been tricky and just plain exhausting. Most days I feel like I am just barely keeping things together and that I could crack at any moment.
When people ask how I’m going I tend to just smile and shrug off how hard I’ve been finding things because I know that my own struggles are so insignificant compared to what others are going through, but I feel like here on the blog has always been where I can write out my thoughts - not for attention or sympathy or anything like that - simply to process it and also share, in case other people are feeling something similar. I think sometimes we need to realise that people are always going through things - they just won’t always share about them.
I know for me as well, so much guilt comes up about the fact that I am feeling really crappy right now, because technically I have “everything”. I know how incredibly lucky I am and I’m so grateful for it all - a beautiful healthy baby, an awesome hubby and family, a lovely home and a pretty good job (albeit one where I have to pop painkillers most days to get through…)
Things are pretty great - what do I have to be unhappy about right?
Can anyone else relate?
I think sometimes we just need to remember that it is totally normal to have down days and we aren’t going to feel fab all the time. We just need to make space to feel the feelings, know they are valid (however small or insignificant they may seem), allow ourselves to wallow in them a little and work through them when we’re ready, knowing we’ll get through it with time.
Things aren’t going to be perfect, the house will be messy, the to-do list will be never ending and sometimes just getting through the day will be all you can do.
So I’m going to take my own advice there and just give myself some time. I know this is just a phase of adjusting to a new routine and finding a new “normal”. It will get better - eventually.
In the meantime I’ll try and lift my spirits with the small things - wearing bright, mood-lifting outfits like this is one of them.
Finding small moments to do something that lights me up (when I have the energy) is another.
Writing this blog post is an example of that - it’s the first time all week I feel like I’ve done something for me, and I’m actually feeling so much better for it. Tom has taken Ruby out for a bit and although I have so many other things I should be doing I decided I needed to just sit down at my computer and tap away for a bit.
So here’s another little reminder - it’s okay to do something for you - even if the house is a mess and you have a million other “more important” things on your to do list - it’s okay to just take a little time for you (or a lot of time actually - as much time as you can get!)
Even if all you can do is have a nap - that’s been me the previous few weekends - I’ve wanted to blog, I’ve wanted to create and act on all my creative ideas, but even when I’ve had a few moments I’ve just been way too exhausted to do anything… and that’s okay (I’m writing this for myself as much as for anyone else). We need to stop putting so much pressure on ourselves to do al the things!
So if you made it this far, thank you for listening to my ramble and I hope it’s been helpful in some way , whether it’s given you that little bit of permission to go and do something for yourself, a new idea for styling a summer dress, or even just a reminder that is is OKAY to do nothing and just take a nap!
As always I’d love to hear from you either in the comments or on Insta @laurennatalia.co
Let me know - What are you going to do for yourself this weekend? Do you have a favourite dress (or other clothing piece) that you like to pull out when you need a pep up?
Lots of Love
Lauren
xxx
Wearing:
Dress - Dangerfield
Pink Shirt - Sportsgirl
Hat - Tigerlily
Sandal - Windsor Smith
Ruby’s Bib - My Little Love Heart
(read my review here)
