Greetings and salutations! It’s still technically March on the west coast and if there’s one thing I accomplish this year it’s going to be posting 12 monthly newsletters, even if I don’t think I have much to say. Oh boy. The last week of the past few months I have felt increasing dread that something has to go out or that I won’t have anything interesting to say, but then again I remember that I am constantly in a state of wanting to move or *Actually Moving* and that’s at least one interesting thing. The longest I have lived in one place the past 10 years is 2 years! Which is pretty crazy— what is the average amount of time one stays in one place? Google reports that the average American moves 11.4 times in their lifetime (what tf is the .4??) and moving only myself feels like A Lot, so I’m very in awe of anyone who transports more than themselves, the clothing on their back and maybe a mattress/bed frame— don’t even get me started imagining coralling dogs, children, lizards into cars/ planes/ moving vans, etc. I recently moved across the country with a total of 4 checked bags and yes, I do slightly regret not bringing more furniture/ clothing (60% of my belongings is now scattered across D.C., which is kind of fun if you think about it). Like, who is the lucky owner of my mostly-working-very dented- Amazon standing desk and child’s rug that I thought would fit my entire living room? Some lucky ducks, if you ask me.
California is feeling more and more like home and DC kinda feels like a memory (sadness). Seeing so many of my close friends the past few months has been the loveliest but the homesickness is starting to kick in. My anxiety loves to worry that I’m not putting in more effort to make more friends or deepen the connections I’ve made here. But that’s okay!
march playlist <3 waxahatchie, fletcher & hozier on repeat !
A lesson I keep being confronted with this year seems to be patience. Patience in my career, relationships, settling, moving, knowing what to do. It’s always a good reminder that good things take time. I remind myself when I first moved to DC post college/ living with my moms that I jumped from a few sublets and housing situations until I fell into my beloved Adams Morgan apartment <3. I still think about that cozy rooftop with the lemons and pomegranates and herbs and twinkly lights — sitting up there and listening to the animals from the National Zoo late at night it was easy to forget you’re in the middle of DC. And as for career, I think that’s a different story.
My novel is progressing a biiiiit. My brain feels scattered and it’s almost impossible without a hard deadline so mayhaps I will have to make my own. Traveling to Austin was a Very Cool experience. I have never been to Texas before and expected it to be much drier/ flat/ hotter and instead was pleasantly surprised with how green and luscious and queer the city was. Don’t sleep on Austin !!! It definitely made me think about moving to a smaller non-coastal city one day and reminded me of DC/the midwest a bit. Living outside the most expensive city in the country definitely makes you rethink lots of things. As Kim K says, we are rEALizInG tHinGs!!!!
Next time you here from me I’ll be in my new apartment! Hoping to buy a cozy couch with a patch of sunlight and make a writing station. And hang up lots of friend’s art (check out my cool pal
‘s printshop!!!), my art and thrift some good frames. If anyone has any fun apartment decor or handy apartment hacks, feel free to send! My dread of having to furnish an entire apartment is quite high! Someone just send me a list of everything I need!Well, over and out! Thank you for reading and as always, feel free to share with anyone else who may feel sticky or stuck or confused in their lives and we can all be anxious and happy and confused together. And are we liking the new rebrand?!! Please don’t tell me if you don’t like it. Until next time. Also, I saw my first banana slug in california and it was everything you’d expect them to be: slimy, weird and life changing. I hope you all can meet one one day.
<3 catie
Big fan of a self imposed deadline for the book!!
oops, apparently its Kylie Jenner NOT Kim k