Soft Reset Summer: It’s the Little Things

Oooof.

Life happened a little.

And somewhere between a family health scare, work picking up, emotional exhaustion, trying to stay present, and honestly just needing a minute… The Suite List quietly took a back seat for the last month.

Not intentionally.

But I’ve learned that sometimes life asks you to put the phone down and focus on the life – and people – in front of you.

And that’s what I did.

Everything is okay now, thankfully. But I’d be lying if I said the last several weeks didn’t throw me off rhythm a bit.

The funny thing is, whenever I disappear for a little while, my instinct is always to come back with some huge perfectly curated post.

A relaunch.
A master plan.
A “we’re so back” moment 😭

But that didn’t feel real this time.

What did feel real was slowing down enough to notice the small things helping me feel like myself again.

And lately, it’s been the simplest things.

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☀️ Pool Days & Quiet Mornings

I’m a saltwater island girl at my core. The ocean will always be my first love.

But it’s opening pool season at my apartment, and I forgot how much I needed a quiet little afternoon in the sun.

Phone down.
Water bottle full.
Hair doing whatever it wants to do.

Just breathing again.

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✨ The “Little Luxuries”

Not big dramatic purchases. Just thoughtful things that make everyday life feel softer.

Good SPF (especially for lips).
After-sun lotion.
A beach tote that fits absolutely everything.
My emotional support water bottle.

Tiny things. Big impact.

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💄 The Accidental Confidence Boost

One of the sweetest moments lately was helping with senior portfolio reviews at Quinnipiac University, my alma mater.

At one point I casually mentioned I graduated from the program 20 years ago…

…and the students immediately asked for my skincare routine 😭

Listen.

As someone who recently entered her 42nd era, I’m choosing to take that compliment ALL the way in.

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🌴 Preparing for Joy Again

There’s also something healing about having good things to look forward to again.

And an upcoming long weekend in North Carolina with my aunts and uncle.
My annual outing to Mystic for a lobster roll and drawbridge ice cream.
Much needed trip home to Bermuda.
Celebrating all the things in the friend group.

Little pockets of joy.

Little reminders that life keeps moving.

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🤍 Maybe This Summer Is About Re-Centering

I think that’s really what this season is asking from me.

Not perfection.
Not productivity.
Not constant content creation.

Just re-centering.

Getting back to the things that make me feel grounded, inspired, creative, rested, connected.

Getting back to myself a little.

Maybe that’s enough for now.

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✨ A Suite reminder: soft seasons still count.