Holding Space: May
Blooming, growing, thriving.
Holding space for another month to reflect, find presence, and enjoy the little things.
What I’m Reading —
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke - So worth the hype!! The internet is a bit divided on this one, but I LOVED. Truly one of the best books I’ve read in a while. Its hard to talk about this book without giving anything away, and because of that the synopsis – trad wife influencer finds herself suddenly back in the 1850’s – is almost a little misleading. BUT I don’t want to ruin anything for anyone else either by saying too much. What I will say is this book felt less historical fiction and more psychological fiction. If you’re looking for a quick read, that’s unlike anything else you’ve read, you’ll love this one. Rating: 100/5
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell - Well written, an interesting historical fiction perspective… but overall fell a little flat for me. Hamnet is the fictional story of the death of Shakespear’s child and story of his wife, mostly told from her perspective. I’ve heard great things about the movie adaptation, but then also learned halfway through reading the book that the movie needs a trigger warning in regards to traumatic birth (frankly so does the book.) I read this book so that I could watch the movie… and now I’m not sure I’ll see the movie anytime soon. If you’re an avid historical fiction reader, and have a fondness for Shakespear, you’ll like this book, but if you only identify as one of those things (like myself), this book may just be “meh” for you. Rating: 3.5/5
The Briar Club by Kate Quinn - My audiobook while knitting for the month, it was good, but not noteworthy. Set in the 1950’s rise of the Cold War and McCarthy era instilling the fear of communism in every American, I love the way this book was written in long chapters, each told from a different character’s perspective and never repeating a single character. The story is part murder mystery, part tale of community and belonging. Overall, I will say I like other titles from this author better - notably, The Alice Network and The Rose Code (both WWII historical fiction). If you always yearned for a backstory for each of the characters in your Clue boardgame as a kid, you might enjoy this book. Rating: 4/5
What I’m Listening To —
Another podcast recommendation this month: Conversations with Cam, hosted by Cameron Rogers. Lately I’ve been really enjoying Cam’s episodes. Admittedly, I’m less interested in her episodes with celebrity guests, but she’s been on a roll lately with expert-style guests, specifically sharing parenting topics. Here’s a few of my favorite, recent episodes:
You Can’t Be A Perfect Parent Part II: Maternal Mental Health with Dr. Jaclyn Nofech-Mozes
Dr. Becky Kennedy on Raising Resilient Kids, Handling Tantrums, and Letting Go of Mom Guilt
(not parenting, but relevant to parents…) How to Have Better Sex with Vanessa & Xander Marin
I’m manifesting one day being a guest expert on Cam’s podcast, and in general being a guest on the podcasts I love, so I’m thrilled to also be able to share the link to the podcast episode I recorded with Alyssa of Magnetic Mama Club! We explore identity, nervous system regulation, evidence-based modalities such as EMDR and IFS parts work for healing in motherhood, and so much more! I would love to know what you think, here’s the links to listen on Spotify and Apple
What I’m Knitting —
I love knitting as a “slow hobby”, it inherently takes a lot of patience to knit, but sometimes it feels like people across the internet are knitting entire sweaters in a week. All that to say, I don’t plan on having a finished object to share each month, and this past month I did finish a Sophie Scarf. This is a popular beginner pattern, and it knits up quickly, which is really satisfying as a less patient/new knitter.
The good news is I finished my first Sophie Scarf… the bad news is that it did not turn out well. This pattern is extremely popular (52,000+ project pages on Ravelry), and for good reason. The scarf design has some fun skills, like creating an i-cord edge, increasing and decreasing stitches – in layman’s terms, the scarf has this cute border to it around the edges, and it comes to soft points at either end, so it’s a little more elevated than a basic, long rectangle scarf.
What I learned from this project: It’s a great confidence builder pattern, and fun to practice new skills, but attention to detail matters… A LOT. Not every project needs to be perfect. I can frog (a.k.a. unravel) it. Also, when knitting this pattern, it can be helpful to place a stitch marker on the side that you’re meant to do your increases and decreases, to help keep track.
I’m currently knitting this pattern again, but making some minor adjustments to have it be more of a “shawl” vs. a scarf, and am already happy with the improvements. I’m also blending the Sophie Scarf pattern with this, slightly different, but the same style free pattern called The Simple Thing. I do like the techniques in the Sophie Scarf pattern better, but it’s hard to beat a free pattern option when the end object is more or less the same. Hopefully by June’s recap, I’ll have pictures of that finished object to share!
What’s Nourishing Me —
Not nourishing me, but nourishing Linden - Linden’s Lunchbox! I’ll share more below, but this past month Linden started preschool. A huge milestone and a welcome change for our family. It also means 4 days a week we’re packing lunch for him… which has been quite the challenge. Sebastian and I can’t seem to figure out if he doesn’t like what we’re packing him, or if he’s still adjusting to eating at school. Most days his lunchbox comes back a least half full, and then he’ll finish his lunch on the car ride home. Figuring out what to pack a toddler for lunch was a parenting challenge I was not ready for. Thankfully, Sebastian is an incredibly supportive and helpful partner, and he has taken on the mental load and responsibility of packing Linden’s lunch – this means he plans what will be packed, added needed items to the grocery list, cooks food as needed, and packs the lunchbox each morning. I’m so grateful, and also can’t help but still be thinking of things I can suggest for Sebastian to pack, so if you have any nut-free recommendations for toddler lunches – please let me know!
What I’m Holding Close —
My new office space. The Process Wellness Collective expanded the office space in May, and I was generously given the opportunity to decorate one of the new offices. It’s been so fun to let my HGTV-watching-wannabe-interior-designer side shine, and I’m letting it come together slowly. So far I’m obsessed with the forest green couch, Sebastian is working on hanging custom shelves he built for me, and I’m loving the way the morning light streams in through the windows.
Small Joys in Motherhood –
Linden started preschool! We enrolled Linden in a local Montessori preschool this month and the transition has been going so well. We did get hit with the preschool sickness after his first week, but other than that little speed bump, this choice has been so amazing for our family. I love the stability, structure, and reliability we found with the shift to school vs. nanny. The school also provides pictures and updates throughout the day, and it’s been so heartwarming to see Linden make new friends and, in general, thrive in this new environment.
Energy Check In –
We’re nearing the halfway point of 2026, which in my mind only means that life is going to pick up pace from here. A simple three card pull just felt right this morning as we begin June, so here’s messages for the energy of…
Guidance: 10 of Cups
What guidance do I need right now?
A simple reminder: everything is working out. You may not always see a clear path ahead, and you won’t know what the rest of this year has in store, but you can trust that what’s meant for you won’t pass you by. The 10 of Cups carries an energy of fulfillment, happiness, and love. Although the Universe rarely takes action in the exact way we think it will or want it to, you can still carry an energy of knowing that your desires are heard.
Clarity: 9 of Cups
What energy will support me in finding clarity?
If the path is feeling truly unclear or uncertain, try taking one small step back, just for a moment. In order to see things more clearly, it can be helpful to first find contentment and acceptance in what currently exists, and what currently feels aligned. The 9 of Cups, the card in the deck just before the 10 of Cups but in this reading conveniently came out to follow the 10… holds an energy of satisfaction and gratitude. This message further supports the guidance to trust in things working out for you, but, understandably so, in today’s world that can be hard to do. So when things feel hard, invite greater alignment in your life by first acknowledging and having gratitude for the things that already feel in alignment with the outcome you desire.
Expansion: Judgement
What energy is supporting my growth and expansion?
If there is one common thread forming in this reading, it’s the energy of alignment. The Judgement card carries a message of awakening, of coming into alignment, of having that “ah-ha” breakthrough moment. Know that by following the guidance of the first two cards, you can, and will, receive the momentum to move forward in the months to come.
The year may be nearing its halfway point, but the energy is reminding us that there is still so much to come. Room for gratitude, growth, and alignment with the feelings we’re manifesting.
Thank you for sharing this space with me — I hope you move through the upcoming month feeling held, seen, and energetically aligned.
With warmth,
Emily
