not where I wanted to be, but where I need to be (?)

writing updates and lessons learned while editing (cross-posted from my Substack)

ALT: Hearties Opal GIF

so it's been a while... writing, revising, and biting more than I can chew

A short DITL vlog, plus a chatty, sit down update about life, editing, and my current works in progress.

Join me for a March budget recap... and the time has come for the Q1 low buy update! 💰

Quiet days at the end of March. Date nights, trying the viral Dubai Chocolate (I am a weak human), catching up on work and life chores, and finally(!) sorting through the doll collection I recovered from my childhood bedroom. *A small content warning for brief mention of loss.* 💜 For more, subscribe to the blog. You can follow my "quiet days" on YouTube or follow for writing updates on Substack. Visit my linktr.ee or learn more about my writing at emiliagracewrites.com. Note to longtime readers: In case you missed the last year's update, I changed my name to Emilia Grace on most of my socials to align with my penname.

All the books I read in Q1 (January through March) 2025... romance reads, self-help, and non-fiction

reviewing my February spending habits and reconsidering some of my low/no buy rules

reflecting on loss and regrets

a sit-down chat

Recovering from Illness: Finding Balance and Rest

Updates on editing book 2 and my progress on the draft…

A chatty sit-down update on writing and my publishing goals/plans

I’ve been physically and mentally exhausted over the last few days. Life is lifeing and my body is going through it. I had too many tasks and chores to take care of this weekend and the Sunday post fell by the wayside, but I wanted to share this tiny bit of hope that filled me today. I have two orchids in my shower, they’ve been with me for years, and they usually bloom once a year. I hadn’t given them much thought until I saw this tiny, baby bud starting to form. I don’t know why, but it brought me a little bit of joy. I hope it brings you a little bit of joy too.

A small, slightly spendy grocery haul from the Fresh Market... #vlog #lowbuyyear

Transitioning from January to February on the vlog

What is burnout, and how can individuals, as well as companies combat this systemic workplace problem?

on love languages and Valentine's Day My love languages are time and touch, my partner's are gifts and service, all this to say that Valentine's Day (and birthdays, Christmas, anniversaries) is always an interesting time. This year, I'm deep into my low buy, and gifts are one area that I'm working on. I don't want to engage in hyperconsumerism, and I know that we both have more than enough, so I've been focusing on experiences. He's been meeting me halfway. This year's surprise was a luxury dining experience (which was lovely and not a little intimidating).

Yes. And You Can Too.

on distractions, dread, and not doing much my latest read, journaling and migraine essentials I’m stuck. The events of the last two weeks have taken a sledgehammer to my carefully laid out writing goals. Try though I might not to get sucked into the spiral of bad news, bad thoughts, and bad dreams, I can’t help it. I’m in that weird place between needing to know and knowing that there’s not much I can do. It’s also been a week at work, so I’m feeling extra vulnerable. As an elder millennial, I’m definitely part of the generation that always feels on edge about the future.

It’s time for the first budget review of my 2025 low/no buy… it’s been a good one.