Are you listening? 🙉
The older I get — and yes, I turned another year older since I last sent out a newsletter — the more powerful it is to listen. And not just to listen, but to consider what people are saying to you and to honor what it takes for them to say it.
Over the past month, the hours I have spent with loved ones have included very long silent walks up very steep mountains, quick trips around the country to celebrate milestone birthdays, and intense times of crisis where the only thing you can do for someone is swallow your fear and show up. It's been a month of pushing myself to my limits and bearing witness to where others have had to go far beyond their own.
How lucky we are to get to know each other. How lucky we are to get to see each other's strength.
I listened to pieces of the past from people I have known for years, decades even. I listened to pieces of the present causing internal shame and turmoil. I learned again and again that we never fully know what anyone else is going through.
Be gentle with other people's experiences.
When someone shows you a glimpse of what has shaped them, recognize it. That doesn't mean you need to dig or probe. Your reaction or response is not the important part. We are so trained to react immediately to everything, to go straight to shock and awe instead of just listening. Pause. Thank them for sharing. When someone you love, or even someone you've just met, allows you to know them, it is okay to be grateful.
I may not always have the answers or advice, but I can listen.
The thing I know to be most true with passing time is that we're all figuring it out. We're doing our best. And when we allow ourselves to know and be known, it's worth it. As always, take care of yourself. I hope to see you soon.
xoxo,
Molly
Permission Granted
Even years after back-to-school has actually meant anything to me, this is still a season of first impressions. Nothing says *this is who I am now* like the swagger that comes with a new look. This year, I'm treating myself to investment pieces that I know will get better with age, brands that put sustainability first, and items I've been eyeing for a while. Permission to think about your personal style, even if you don't think ~personal style~ is your thing...
The eternal quest for lightweight jackets is *real* and I've been wanting to find a version of the classic chore jacket for a while now. For my recent birthday, I was given this deep indigo corduroy one by blluemade. It is a bit pricey, but I know will only get better with time.
Speaking of chore jackets: I cannot get enough of Paynter. I absolutely adore their Instagram storytelling about the process and details that go into their very small collection drops — I mean, just look at the labels. The next batch comes out Friday.
The hemp tee has come a long way, baby, and Jungmaven makes an incredible version. As a forever t-shirt and jeans person, I'm doing a refresh with a couple of these.
One of my favorite shoe brands, Veja, recently released its first sustainable running shoe, the Veja Condor. With 53% recycled materials, the company is open and honest about the challenges in creating the first "post-petroleum" performance shoe and I'm here for it.
Within my first few hours wearing my Dear Frances combat boots, I got more compliments than I can count. Strangers stopped me to ask about the fit/comfort as they'd been eyeing the same pair. Someone tell Dear Frances their Instagram ads are really working — also I love them.
To go with both of those shoes and punch up an all-black situation, I recently got my first pair of these comfy yellow Arvin Goods socks. Arvin is on a mission to create the cleanest basics using recycled and upcycled materials. I'm gonna go wild and get the higher pair too.
Made it this far? What if we all changed color while dreaming as this octopus does? My three favorite books I read this summer. The oral history of my first ever summer festival: Lilith Fair.