Summer Recap: A Season of Little Luxuries & Big Realities

As summer winds down, I’ve been reflecting on a season that didn’t exactly turn out as eventful as I first imagined — but still came with its own highlights, lessons, and small joys. Sometimes, the quieter summers end up being the ones where you notice the details most.

Seasonal Favorites That Got Me Through

• Caffeine Undereye Cream + Oatmeal Cleanser – My morning duo that kept me looking (somewhat) alive.

• Solar-Powered Water Pump – Made my little garden oasis feel like a mini resort.

• Songbird Seed Mix – Because nothing beats watching finches, cardinals, and chickadees show up like daily guests.

• Citronella Tiki Fuel – The only thing standing between me and being eaten alive.

• Fresh Mint – For tea, mojitos, or just chewing straight out of the garden when life gets feral.

Morning Rituals

My favorite part of summer mornings was bringing my espresso or chai out to the garden, where the soundtrack was birdsong, chipmunks darting across the yard, squirrels plotting, and the occasional hum of hummingbirds. An area that once look

ed like pure bramble is now lush with color, buzzing with life. Even the birdseed surprised me — sprouting sunflowers that now compete with squirrels and goldfinches for center stage.

The Whirlwind

This summer felt like a full 360 — from gaslighting employers to gas-lit grills. I hit my one-year mark of being back in Maine, and mentally, it feels like I’ve looped back to where I started. The job market has been grim (corporations are freezing hires out of sheer paranoia), but I’ve still managed to carve out little victories.

Grounding & Growing

Right now, I’ve got a small gig walking dogs three times a week (which honestly might be the best therapy money can’t buy). I’m also lining up a position at a small market, with hopes of eventually working in the flower shop side of things — which feels like the universe winking at me.

I’ve even drafted a six-slide social media proposal that I’ll be posting on my town’s community Facebook page, offering locals a discounted way to start or level up their online presence. Because if big corporations won’t hire me, I’ll make my own lane.

Looking Ahead

With less than two months until my 26th birthday, I’m staring down the reality of losing the “safety net” that came with being adopted: insurance, benefits, the works. Raw-dogging adulthood, basically. It’s overwhelming, yes — but also a challenge I feel ready to take on.

Whether that means finally moving out of my parents’ house or making enough of a name for myself while I’m here, the goal is the same: to build something that’s mine.

Here’s to the messy, unpredictable seasons — and to conquering what comes next.