It took me two years to find myself again after losing someone extremely close to me. Two years where I didn't recognize my own reflection. Two years where my mind ran on fumes. Call it burnout. Call it shutdown. Call it collapse. Pick whatever word feels right. They all fit.

Every August, it seems like the world slows down just a little The days are long. The heat hangs in the air. Even nature seems to be conserving its energy. We call them the "Dog Days of Summer," and for many people, they become a frustrating time. We feel like we should be doing more, accomplishing more, checking more things off our list. But what if August isn't asking us to do more? What if it's asking us to pause?

Summer Berry Compote for Big Moments and Backyard Magic This is one of the easiest, prettiest things you can make in June. It works for: grad parties birthdays brunch cookouts