Let’s Just Say May Was… a Lot.
Hey friend,
Let me just say it straight: May was a mess.
Not like, “Oops I forgot to meal prep and now I’m eating cereal for dinner again” kind of mess. No. I’m talking “Did I fall into an emotional pothole and get hit by every memory, hormone, and human need all at once?” kind of mess.
Let’s start with the obvious one: Mother’s Day.
Whew. My first one without my mom. And if that wasn’t enough, it also happened to be my Dad’s birthday. Because the universe just loves a little extra spice, right? So, while everyone else was posting pictures of brunches and flowers, I was trying not to cry into my lukewarm coffee. (Spoiler alert: I failed.)
And then, just to round out the emotional chaos starter pack, I had my first birthday without her too. Do you see the theme? It was like May was just one long sad montage with dramatic background music. I didn’t even want cake. That’s how you know it was serious.
Now, don’t get me wrong—there were some bright spots.
My daughter surprised me by driving home from college for Mother’s Day (10/10 surprise skills, cried immediately, zero chill). She is sunshine in human form and seeing her made me feel so loved… but also? That hug just cracked me open. Because she was there, and my mom wasn’t. It was both beautiful and brutal, which is kind of the vibe of grief in general.
And now that she’s home for the summer, we’re doing our first mother-daughter shuffle of "Yay! You're home!" and also "Why are there eight cups in the sink and what even is happening on this reality show Love is Blind?" It’s a transition. A loud, snack-filled, full kitchen sink transition.
Did I mention I chaperoned our high school’s marching band trip to Boston?—which was both fun and chaotic—but by the end of the trip, I was feeling... off. Turns out, my body was waving a little white flag. You know that feeling when your body is like “Hey girl, we’re not mad… just deeply disappointed”?
Yeah. That.
I got home and promptly faceplanted into a pile of blankets, canceled a bunch of plans, and broke my walking every day and closing every ring streak. Nothing serious—but it knocked me sideways for a bit. Finally, I also (unrelated to Boston) needed a minor medical procedure. Everything came back clear (hooray!), but I was benched from exercise and basically told, “Rest, please.” No workouts. No pushing through. Just... resting.
But slowly—slowly—the fog started to lift. Not all at once. Not like a movie montage where I suddenly go for a jog in the sunrise and everything is healed. (Absolutely not. I’ve barely jogged since 2014.)
But little by little, I started craving structure again. Movement. Creativity. Actual pants.
Oh—and I picked up a very part-time job!
Just a couple of hours in the mornings. Nothing major, but honestly? I knew I needed something to get me up, give me some purpose, and remind me that I am a functioning adult human who can still contribute to the world before noon. There’s something about having to show up for someone else that’s weirdly comforting right now. It’s structure. It’s accountability. It’s coffee before chaos.
So for a good chunk of May, I just let myself be quiet. I didn’t post. I didn’t create. I didn’t “show up.” I survived. I sat in the sadness. I watched Grey’s, obvi, and ate every meal on the couch like it was a sacred ritual. I wore the same pjs for three days and probably emotionally merged with my throw blanket.
Now for the good stuff—what’s brewing in June! I’m inching back to myself. Not with a dramatic glow-up or a productivity planner—but with one gentle, determined step at a time…
🩺 I had my annual physical (look at me being a grown-up!)
I’m getting my labs done, taking stock of how I’m really doing—not just the “I’m fine” we say to strangers in elevators. This, my friend, is self-care. Not bubble baths and scented candles (although those are lovely), but showing up for yourself in those unglamorous, necessary ways.
💪🏼 Movement is slowly back on the menu
Now that I’m cleared to move again, I’m easing back in with intention. Nothing wild, just honoring my body and what it needs right now. I’m so thankful our pool is finally open, although the weather in NJ has NOT been very pool friendly…but I will be jumping in there soon to walk and resume my aqua Zumba videos from last summer! If you’ve been in a start-stop cycle too, come hang out—I’m right there with you.
And in my quiet rebuild, I created something for myself that I really want to share with you: (I really hope you’ll join me!)
FLY 30: Hard-ish but Worth it
It’s a 30-day program I built for real people with real lives. Not Pinterest people. Not “5AM club” people. Not people with smoothie bowls and symmetrical sock drawers. (Don’t get me wrong, I love a good smoothie)
Us.
This isn’t just a daily checklist or some “drink water and hustle” bootcamp. It’s a full-on accountability group that meets you where you are. It combines:
Daily habit tracking
A fun little challenge vibe with an accountability group(hard-ish, remember? Not punishing.)
Weekly check-ins
And the best part? An Atomic Habits book club woven into it.
We’re talking real behavior change, real conversation, and a chance to get out of your own way without shaming yourself into oblivion. The group is meant to be supportive, playful, and honest. We will celebrate wins (even the small ones like “I didn’t hit snooze!”) and laugh at the messier parts of self-growth.
Want in? You can sign up here:
Join the FLY 30 Hard-ish But Worth It Group
No perfection required. Just a little willingness to show up for yourself.
Now. Can I talk about something else I’m really excited about?
I designed a deck of affirmation cards, and they are about to go to print. 🥹
Yes, they’re real. And no, they’re not basic.
These aren’t your average “breathe in light, exhale glitter” cards. These are me in a card deck—sarcastic, soulful, slightly unhinged, deeply comforting.
There are 10 cards in each of these categories (so, 90 total, enough for one each day for 3 months!):
✨ Talk Nice to Yourself
🌧 In Case of a Mood
🎉 Feel Good, Period.
⚡ Instant Mood Shifters
💬 People Say Smart Stuff
😊 Be the Reason Someone Smiles (Maybe Even You)
🚫 Yes Is the New No
🪄 Get Out of Guilt Free
🎯 To Do? More Like Ta-Da
You can shuffle them. Display them. Pull one each day. Or just dump them on the floor and look for the one that makes you feel most seen. No rules. Just vibes, honesty, and a little help remembering who the heck you are.
They’ll be available soooon (cue drumroll and sweaty palms), but since you’re on my list, you’ll be the first to know when they launch. Trust me, you’re gonna want a set—or five to give to your bestie squad.
And finally, if you’ve been thinking about hosting a Pampered Chef party—now’s the time.
June is DOUBLE REWARDS month for hosts.
That means if your party hits $650 in sales, you get double the free products. I’m talking our NEW air fryer and oven, our cooking blender, or that tool you didn’t know you needed until you saw someone use it in a reel.
You can host a party virtually, over text, or even do a laid-back catalog version (zero hosting energy required).
It’s the perfect time to stock up for:
Your college student’s first kitchen
A new grad moving into their first apartment
A fundraiser for your favorite cause
Yourself, because your spatula is melting and you deserve joy
Not in the mood to host? Totally fine. You can still shop 👉 here. (and I’ll do a happy dance every time something ships)
P.S. Did you know I have a little shop now?
It’s called the Laugh Lounge FLY Shop
It’s got all the cheeky, cozy, and affirming things I wish someone handed me when I was in my "what even is happening" era. (Which is still... now.)
You’ll find apparel, mugs, and stuff that makes you smile when you’re elbow-deep in dishes or wondering if you can fake your way through one more Zoom call.
Go peek around and see what makes you giggle:
Whew. That was a lot. If you're still reading, I love you.
Here’s the real deal: I don’t always know what I’m doing. I’m just trying to listen to myself more than I listen to the noise. I’m trying to honor the parts of me that are grieving and growing at the same time. And I’m trying to invite other women to sit at that same messy table with me and say, “Same.”
So if you’re starting June tired, overwhelmed with the kids being home for the summer, or totally unsure where to begin, just know—me too. We don’t need a full makeover. We don’t need to throw out our entire lives and start from scratch. We just need one tiny moment of self-trust to say: I’m worth showing up for.
Even if I’m wearing pajamas. Even if I’m crying in the car. Even if my June goals are just “drink some water and not scream into the void.”
We’re doing it.
Love you. Mean it.
