38 Comments
Aug 5, 2023Liked by Megan Jayne Crabbe

I LOVE getting this into my inbox every month, it’s such a lovely update of information that feels so different from Instagram ☺️ July has been tough, I’m in a job I hate where I’m not appreciated or valued and don’t feel like I can be myself. I’ve realised that feeling safe when you’re part of the queer community is really important and I don’t feel safe at the moment. But people like you are inspiring and I’ve decided to be brave and start my own company as an assistant for people who run small businesses and I’m really excited! All this Barbie girl power has made me believe in myself and value myself a bit 🥰 Thank you for always putting a smile on my face and for continuing to show a joyful queer relationship ❤️

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Aug 6, 2023Liked by Megan Jayne Crabbe

hi dearest megan!! this note really made my heart soar to read. it’s such a beautiful thing to have someone far away who lives a very different life from you share similar emotions or experiences i can relate to. it reminds me to look for that with everyone. i really loved your words about char lovingly encouraging you to focus on the areas of life that you find most meaningful. this is something i’m thinking about so much these days. what areas were you focusing more on before, and what has char encouraged you to do more of, now that you feel so happy?

my july was exciting; i moved to san francisco in june and i love it so much. i’m trying to find friends who I deeply connect with and trying to figure myself out. it’s been super fun to try out more adventurous style since i know no one, and i thrifted some fun items that have become my summer classics (hot pink board shorts and colorful flowy pants). i think you’ve definitely inspired my style (hehe!)

lots of love to you!

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Aug 5, 2023Liked by Megan Jayne Crabbe

Wow, what a month for you! I love seeing your joy and you being so happy in your relationship! 💜✨

For me, July was an emotional rollercoaster. The biggest news was - my boyfriend has a daughter who he had been kept from for 2 1/2 years due to family drama that was not his fault, and in July he reconnected with her for the first time. We got to spend days with her, take her out to do fun things and make new memories, and even got to celebrate her 5th birthday. There have been so many emotions about this, but the biggest is joy.

I also celebrated a milestone birthday and got to visit New York City for the first time!

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Aug 5, 2023Liked by Megan Jayne Crabbe

Always look forward to your newsletter!

You absolutely SLAYED the barbie premiere!

I’m so glad you’re feeling better and SO glad that your brain allowed you the time to rest and enjoy some fun TV!

My July highlights is turning 22, having a sunset beach photoshoot, and a 2 week trip back to my hometown!

My lowlights are having to spend time at my grandparents house while back home and going through everything they’ve kept (including receipts from the 90s lol!) and my brain ramping up on my OCD anxiety.

I hope everyone is well! Thank you for the beautiful update Megan! You are a sparkly, sunshine soul!

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Aug 5, 2023Liked by Megan Jayne Crabbe

I am hit with the most amazing message from everything you described in your month…be present and grateful. You touched on the idea of being present several times and I relate so strongly to the struggle to be right here, right now versus stuck in a thought bubble trying to plan out the rest of the day, week, month, etc. It’s so lovely to truly enjoy the moments in our lives and to let go of that tight grip we have on needing to predict and control everything. It’s like taking a huge weight off or our shoulders. I hope to continue to improve my mindfulness and to express my love and gratitude to those who have stood by me in my hardest moments as well as being there to celebrate my strength and resilience. Thank you for being a constant reminder to check in with my feelings and to appreciate the little things.

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Aug 5, 2023Liked by Megan Jayne Crabbe

Awww illness is so dang frustrating 😔but glad you managed to rest and sounds like you had a pinktastic summer! I too had a week out due to another bout of tonsillitis 😮‍💨... After I got my mojo back a bit I convinced my bf to go watch Barbie with me😊. It was fun and uber pink... though some bits I'm not sure I got😏(I don't think baby dolls are bad for kids to play with as it teaches compassion and empathy but there's a scene in Barbie where all the girls smash the baby dolls up which confused my highly sensitive brain a bit😔). Also, I managed to get out in nature with my bf, who has cerebral palsy, sometimes it's hard to get to places because of accessibility issues but we found a way he could use his walker!! In the woods! and went with my little niblings too who love to paddle in the stream and try to catch creatures to look at in their net... (though we do put them back after). Then we went for hot chocolate and picked blackberries on the way home💜 nice to hear your update... hope your August is just as nourishing😊 🙏

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Aug 5, 2023·edited Aug 5, 2023Liked by Megan Jayne Crabbe

So lovely you see you so happy - your joy in infectious ♥️ I too have had to give myself some forced recovery and relaxation after having surgery for my endometriosis last week, and it feels so liberating to finally not feel guilty for just doing nothing! More of this for 2023 :)

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Aug 5, 2023Liked by Megan Jayne Crabbe

So beautiful to hear you describing restful, joyful, lovingly connected times. I’m happy for you! As someone who has gone from pretty rough relationships into a truly easeful, loving one where we delight in each other every day, I’m thrilled to see others being uplifted and shining! ♥️

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Aug 8, 2023Liked by Megan Jayne Crabbe

It’s so wonderful to be part of a community who are all working on it. It takes the pressure off to be perfect and allows us to give ourselves some forgiveness when things aren’t just right. Thank you for making a community by using your unique voice and talent that people like me can be part of, you are truly special .

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Aug 6, 2023Liked by Megan Jayne Crabbe

So sorry to hear about your illness, Megan. But the rest of your month looked like a whirlwind of joy! LOVED seeing your pink carpet look. Gorgeous! And lots of great candid shots with the family.

July's highlights: Celebrating my birthday with family (Leo energy over here!) walks in the sun listening to my favorite Pandora stations, and a surprisingly busy month in my Etsy shop. I completed and shipped my largest order this year! You mentioned booting out the imposter syndrome. I'm 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 doing the same thing after 10 years.

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Aug 6, 2023Liked by Megan Jayne Crabbe

Hi Barbie! 👋

Thanks as always for the lovely newsletter 🤗

Loved that you binged LIB while sick, that's one of my faves. And I couldn't think of a more perfect person to serve all that amazing Barbie movie content 🩷 I too haven't stopped unpacking the layers of this film. 🤯 Such a great experience.

Sadly my month was a tough one, my grandmother was hospitalized and unexpectedly and very quickly passed. We have a very small family and she was our matriarch and rock and will be very much missed. Dealing with everything that follows while also trying to grieve has been quite stressful. I am feeling for the first time the weight of stepping into an adult leadership role in the family and it's a lot. Carrying the fears and worries of the "grown ups" I always looked up to has shown me their fallibility and sometimes it feels like I'm being given a stress dump, which is hard on me as a highly empathic person. Working on some boundaries around this. 🧘🏼‍♀️

Simultaneously, I also got a promotion at work, and my husband a new job all during the same week this was going on. So it's been a lot and I feel like I can barely make it through the day but I'm trying to give myself patience and grace.

Anyway thanks again for providing this space. Your letters always give me something beautiful to read. And the reminder about my inner child is a great one *adding to my list to schedule in some singing time*. 🎤

Sending 🩷

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Aug 6, 2023Liked by Megan Jayne Crabbe

Thank you, darling friend. To get all that Barbie-deliciousness (Inc stack-heel crocks 😃) with a one-minute reminder as the sweetest dessert… what a scrumptious way to flavour my weekend 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

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Aug 5, 2023Liked by Megan Jayne Crabbe

My July was all over the place. I started it with my first case of COVID that I unknowingly spread to a partner. After we recovered, I had a cute little getaway with that same partner and his friend. We ran around playing tourists and being silly. I got a not so great ruling on a lawsuit I've been struggling through for nearly a year... One of my partners broke up with me. I made some new friends. It was an emotional rollercoaster of a month. Here's hoping that August is much smoother.

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Aug 8, 2023Liked by Megan Jayne Crabbe

You have done losts of amazing things this month. Thank you for the self care tipsm

Gastro is horrible worse thing ever I feel for you.

Sending love your way Meg xxx

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Aug 8, 2023Liked by Megan Jayne Crabbe

Wow Megan you are such an inspiration,

I am going on the local radio on Thursday night to talk about my photography journey , fibromyalgia, mental health , being in the care system maybe mentioned and open water swimming and much more. If anyone would like to tune in

It's Koast radio which are based in South east northumberland it's on 106.6fm , 8.30-9.30pm on Thursday 10th August , if you click on their website you will be able to tune in by pressing the play on their website.

I am so proud and I can't wait. Uni planning going good and I move middle of September I can't wait. It has been such a testing time but I am so proud of my progress.

I haven't shared on my photography page Memorable moments by Rachael Young but most stuff I do gets posted. I was recently made up of round of the month photos by itv Tyne tees weather which I am so happy about. I can't stress enough that it hasn't happened over night and it's such a task every day to manage.

It anyone would like to chat give me a message anytime I am more than happy to have a chat xxxx sending lots of love from the North love Rachael xxxx

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Thank you for the love and time you put into this every month 🩷 I look forward to it and am so excited for all the wonderful things going on, particularly for you and Char!! 🩷🩷🩷

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