It was a good week.
And after the last few weeks, I don’t think I’ll ever take a good, somewhat normal week for granted again.
Personally, we still have a lot going on, but my little dog has been in much better spirits. We’re officially over a week of her feeling better, eating, playing, and acting more like her sweet little self, and it has been such a blessing to watch. We’re still giving her subcutaneous fluids at home, which has honestly been one of the harder things we’ve had to learn. We were originally told she needed them three times a day, but we’ve been doing them once or twice a day depending on how she’s feeling, and that seems to be working better for her right now. We’re continuing to work with her vets and pay close attention to how she’s doing.
I don’t know exactly what the future looks like with kidney disease or how long things can stay stable, but right now, I’m trying not to live too far ahead of today. She’s happy and acting like herself, so we’re enjoying every single bit of that. After how scary the last few weeks have been, seeing her personality come back has felt like the biggest gift. I’m praying we have a whole lot more time just like this.
We also had another big life moment this week: my stepson moved away to college. It’s one of those weird combinations of being incredibly proud and incredibly sad at the same time. We’re so excited for him and everything ahead, but it’s definitely an adjustment knowing he’s starting this whole new chapter of his life. My house is so empty!!
And, work itself was pretty slow this week, but somehow we were still constantly on the go. I spent most of the week back in the kitchen because Andy wasn’t feeling well for a couple of days, and then he helped Davis get moved into his new apartment. That’s the funny thing about owning a small business, a “slow week” doesn’t necessarily mean a slow life. There is always something that needs to be done, somewhere we need to be, or a hat that needs to be switched.
I’m also very excited about the season coming up and the crew we will have working. I’m so grateful to be surrounded by such amazing people. It’s going to be a great one!
Outside of the restaurant, I’ve finally started uploading all of my Camino footage and getting into the editing process. Y’all, there is SO MUCH footage, but I’m so excited to start putting it all together and sharing the entire journey with you. Walking across Spain was such a huge experience in our lives, and I don’t want to just throw together a highlight reel. I want to tell the whole story and show the hard days, the funny moments, the beautiful places, the people we met, and everything we learned along the way.
I’ve also been putting more energy into Mundy Out West, creating new social media content, brainstorming what’s next, and designing new prints for the website and Long Draw Pizza. There are so many fun things in the works right now, and I’ve realized how much I genuinely love this creative side of my life.
And I think that’s my lesson from this week.
Pay attention to what makes you come alive.
I’ve spent a lot of my life believing that success meant constantly chasing the next accomplishment, building something bigger, or doing what I thought I was supposed to be doing. But the older I get, the more I realize that a good life isn’t just about what you’ve accomplished. It’s about whether you actually enjoy the life you’re building along the way.
Sometimes your passion isn’t going to arrive as one giant, obvious calling. And, sometimes it’s hidden in the things you can’t stop talking about. It’s the project you keep coming back to and the work that makes you lose track of time. Or, it’s the idea that keeps popping into your head even when you’re supposed to be doing something else.
You want to pay attention to those things.
You don’t have to blow up your entire life tomorrow or have the perfect business plan or know exactly where it’s going to lead. But you can start giving the things that make you happy a little more room in your life.
Go ahead and try the thing, make that video, start that business, or even take that trip. You should lean into creating more art, learning a skill, or even chasing a crazy idea.
Life has reminded me pretty loudly lately that none of us know exactly how much time we get. I don’t want to spend mine building a life that looks successful from the outside but doesn’t feel good on the inside.
Find the things that make you feel most like yourself and go after them.
That’s what I’m trying to do, one week at a time.
ICYMI: THE WEEKLY SLICE - YOUTUBE SERIES
Love you all,
M