A coaching call that grounded me…Until my brain decided to taunt me.

I leaned on other passions to keep the sense of normal flourishing

Week nine started off with news that thankfully, my mother-in-law was continuing to make progress! So much so, we encouraged our MVP…AKA, my sister-in-law Jodi, to head back to her home down south to get her life back in order. Before she left, we celebrated with a visit to our neighborhood slice of heaven, "Harmony Vineyards." Spectacular water views and perfect weather were the backdrop for some nibbles and wine.

We then made a stop at Wegman's to stock up. Once we got home, I whipped up a Tapas feast for the belly and taste buds. We ate outside and it was just perfect in every way. I do know that we went to bed knowing that the future was still not entirely clear, but at least we finally got some relaxed and nourishing time together...

My happy brain took me into a wormhole of overwhelm…until I caught myself

After the coaching call, I played with the idea of a celebration…and then thought, "Wow, what if I did a music video? Then my Patreon members could WATCH something visual aside from me while they heard the new song…that notion pulled right into a frenetic mental-mish-mash…what had started out as "Marci's fun project" had morphed into a gigantic project with tasks, timelines, and unrealistic expectations. The idea had merit, but the scope of it was waaaaaaaay too ginormous and overwhelming to be deemed "fun."

I woke Thursday with resolve that YES, this was the way and I COULD make it happen…until it flattened me. I shut my brain down without intending to. This was NOT what Mike had prescribed. So, I pivoted. I decided to darn a hole in an old favorite shirt that I'd been meaning to fix. Something menial but meaningful. I fixed the hole until I realized that it now looked worse, AND, found ANOTHER hole on the shirt. It was time to let it go. Time to toss the shirt, and as I did I laughed at the metaphor unfolding. I needed to toss the music video idea. Breathe. Refocus. Align myself with fun.

Fun on steroids — if I could only remember how good it feels

I entered the weekend with Mike's voice in the back of my head…fun…I needed to prioritize fun…

My husband Gianni and I had tossed around the idea of heading out east to visit our friends who own a farm. Yep. A farm. I suggested we head out, visit, have some lunch somewhere with a water view, go see his Mom in rehab and then head home for a cozy dinner. Our friends weren't at the farm. Fail. We went to lunch at a favorite place "Country Farm Kitchen" and did not get a water-view seat, but enjoyed the bliss of just eating and being together fully present. After we ate, we took a walk by the water. A requisite selfie was snapped to capture how relaxed we both were.

Visiting my mother-in-law turned into a wicked game of Go Fish, which I came in last place for all three rounds. 😂 All good. It was just good to see her engaged and enjoying the outside yummy weather. On our way home we received an invite from our besties to come join them for a bbq, which we eagerly accepted. Good food. Good vibes. A nighttime swim (OMG, have I ever mentioned how much I absolutely LOVE swimming?), and more than anything, connection with our chosen family. I went to bed completely happy and my back felt pretty good from the swim too!