Light List Vol. 4
This essay appeared in the Monday morning newsletter on 4/20/26. Subscribe here!
Three Steps to a Happier Monday
Before we dive into a new week, let’s pause and ask ourselves some simple questions to reflect on where we’ve been, get excited about something today and set an intention for the week ahead.
GRATITUDE: What are three things I appreciated from the weekend?
TODAY: What’s one thing I can be excited about today?
INTENTION: What is my intention for this week?
For me, I’m thankful for having family in town, a special day yesterday and early bedtimes. Today, I’m most excited to go on a walk after work. And my intention for the week is to focus on how much water I’m drinking.
Okay, your turn! And if you want to share, I am all ears. 🙂
Monday Musings: Light List Vol. 4
Welcome to Volume 4 of The Light List: a monthly, running list of things making life feel lighter lately.
Reading
+ I recently finished It Girl by Allison Pataki – a a historical fiction inspired by Gilded Age showgirl Evelyn Nesbit (renamed Evelyn Talbot in the book to allow for some creative liberties). It was very engrossing, though a bit sad at times. I appreciated the ending Pataki chose vs. what happened in real-life. It is definitely one of those books that sends you down a Google rabbit hole afterward!
(My favorite of Allison Pataki’s books is still The Magnificent Lives of Marjorie Post – I loved that one!)+ One of my birthday gifts this year was the cookbook How to Celebrate Everything: Recipes and Rituals for Birthdays, Holidays, Family Dinners, and Every Day in Between by Jenny Rosenstrach. Beyond the recipes I want to try (there are many!), the essays on family rituals are what I’m really resonating with. She shares a line from a pediatrician visit with her first child: “Babies love routines.” (I can relate to that!!) And then expands it beautifully -“Babies love routines. Families love rituals.”
Shopping
It was so warm in Indianapolis last week that I found myself taking stock of my summer clothes and browsing for a little inspiration…
+ A summer staple for me is a good shirt dress – easy, versatile and works for just about anything. I’m loving a couple from J.Crew right now: a printed cotton poplin option and a mini eyelet version that feels especially classic for summer.
+ The other item you’ll always find me in in the summer: athletic skorts. Comfortable, practical, effortless. I cleaned out most of mine during my post-pregnancy closet reset, but just picked up a $30 one from Target that I’m already loving – great length (not too short!) and very comfortable. I think I need all 3 colors!
+ And for summer travel – how cute is this simple phone crossbody?
Thinking about
+ My Journal Routine (Confessions of a Type B Founder): I always love hearing how other people approach planning, so I appreciated this practical journaling routine I came across recently. I can see how it would really clear your head before the day begins.
+ How to Make Your Weekdays Feel Like Weekends (Open House): You know I love this theme. I’m picking one small way to elevate a weekday this week… even something simple feels like it counts.
What’s been adding lightness to your life lately? I’d love to hear about it!