Week in Review #42: Slow Summer Living
And the series of events that led me here.
I’m still in Spain and savoring the slowness of summer in every sense. The days are long, I rarely know the hour or the day of the week, and a scoop of gelato (or a glass of cava) always feels like the right call.
The truth is, this trip — this whole month — was born out of a series of events two years ago that forever changed my relationship with time.
First, my dear friend Lauren passed away unexpectedly at 39. I’ve experienced my fair share of loss, but losing her shook me and our friend group to the core. Then came a business I built from the ground up as part of a 50/50 partnership, one that consumed nearly every waking hour and ended in a painful unraveling. A mix of grief, burnout, and what felt like very public failure left me feeling undone.
Somewhere in the middle of it all — after Lauren died, before that business ended— I read Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. And it changed everything.
The truth is: our lives are shorter than we think. We’ll never get it all done. We’ll never feel fully “caught up.” But how we spend our time — the little choices we make, the habits we build, the priorities and values we protect — shapes how we live, and how we love. It’s changed the way I run my business. The way I show up in my marriage. The way I parent. The way I interact with my friends. The way I travel.
If you’ve read the book, I’d love to hear how it landed with you. And if you haven’t, maybe let this be your sign to give it a go.
Here’s to long days, small joys, and spending our time like it’s the most valuable thing we have, because it is.
xx,
Natalie
Thought of the Week
Currently Pinning
Summer Mood — that feeling where the days are long and the air is hot and there’s salt in the air and a cool breeze feels like absolute heaven.
Summer Cotton Knit, On Repeat
Whether on the body or over the shoulders, this 100% cotton knit I collaborated with Sold Out NYC on is an absolute year round dream. Soft and just the right amount cropped, it’s already a favorite. Another color drops on Wednesday, too.
On My Nightstand
The Midnight Feast by Lucy Foley | She’s one of my favorite thriller authors and I haven’t read this one yet so it was a no brainer to pick it up when I saw it at a bookstore this week.
Until next time!
P.S. You may also like…
Love that thought of the week quote.
Just added to my Kindle. Sounds like exactly what I’ve been needing to read!