Taking Stock Twenty Seven

Photography by Tatiana Karanja

Hello.

It’s been a while. 468 days to be exact.

Are you still there? Did you miss me? I didn’t realize just how much I missed you and this space until this moment; this all feels so strange and familiar at the same time. It feels like coming back home.

Let’s take stock.

——

Making: big plans for December. I’m so excited because I’ve set a challenge for myself to share a substantial number of videos and blog posts in that month. I’m a little hesitant to share that number with you lest I don’t live up to the promise but I’m also battling with the thought that maybe that’s exactly what I should do – have you be my accountability partner. Maybe we should just go for it. I’m aiming for 16 videos and 10 blog posts. Sixteen Videos. Wish me luck!

Eating: a salted caramel cake from Art Café is one of my guilty pleasures. That and McVitie’s Digestive biscuits. I’ve eaten so many of them that I’m basically a walking digestive biscuit by this point.

Drinking: Green tea with lemon and honey. (I just re-read the last Taking Stock after finishing this and realized that I was also drinking a green tea while writing this last year. Am I even the same person after all this time? Has nothing changed?!)

Reading: Life Lessons from the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma. I love that it’s got bite-sized chapters that are easy to take in first thing in the morning! I just finished Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly and I don’t think I could ever approach parenting the same way after reading that book. If you’re a parent, please google The Wholehearted Parenting Manifesto. And if you’re not a parent, Google it anyway.

Wanting: a full day to just have guilt-free rest. I’m exhausted. Good-exhausted though – I’m filling my days doing the things I love most but I could do with a 16hour nap!

Playing: Sam Smith’s new single, Too Good At Goodbyes. I love this man!

Wasting: very little time these days. Having a baby in your care teaches you a thing or two about prioritizing.

Creating: and uploading YouTube videos every Thursday. Just in case you didn’t know, that’s where I’ve been hiding out the past couple of months. 8AM sharp. Subscribe, please!

Wishing: I had two extra hours this morning.

Enjoying: early morning cuddles with Naila (my six-month old daughter. I just realized I haven’t officially introduced her!) She does this thing where she reaches out for my face with her tiny, little palm in the cutest possible way you could ever imagine. Until she tries to yank my lip from my head then it’s pretty much downhill from there.

Loving: motherhood. There’s so much I want to share with you on this topic but I believe this needs to be unfolded over time. I foresee many a blog post on this topic in the future.

Hoping: to set up a pretty solid morning routine that will help me get in the right mind frame every morning. So far, I start off with a short prayer, make my bed, meditate & set my intentions for the day, read a little and then I get straight into work. I also try not to pick up my phone till I’m done with this routine. Curious to know what your morning routine looks like btw. Please share below.

Marveling: at how consistent the universe is with this message: you receive what you give.

Smelling: Avocado, pawpaw and banana puree. Currently weaning Naila and she’s having this for breakfast right now.

Wearing: some comfortable slacks. It’s Sunday morning as I type this and I’m glad to be warm and indoors with some of the most hilarious people I know!

Following: Tim Ferriss’ podcast. Do you listen to podcasts? What are some of your faves?

Noticing: that there’s so many new makeup brands coming into Kenya and I’m here for it! That, and fashion outlets.

Knowing: that I am exactly where I ought to be.

Feeling: nervous but excited for the week ahead.

Bookmarking: this podcast by Oprah Winfrey with Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith on how to manifest the life of your dreams. “Pain pushes until vision pulls.”

Opening: up my blog after months felt good. It feels good. I want this space to take on a slightly different tone from last time. I want to be more of me with you.

Giggling: at conversations I’m currently having with Jeff, Patty, my mother, Mondy and Anita. They keep making fun of the fact that I play Sam Smith way too often. Haha! I wish there was a way I could record these conversations and play them for you here.

Feeling: joy! Pure joy.

Love and love.