Your holiday sounds and looks like it was truly a joyous and loving time! I'm so happy for you and Char and your families <3 As for me, I'm struggling right now to recover from spinal surgery, AND I'm thrilled that this surgery implanted a spinal cord stimulator which will allow me to "dial down" my chronic kidney pain through an app on my iphone! After nearly 20 years of constant debilitating pain, I am finally allowing myself to dream about doing the things you talked about in your mjcmail...going on a trip or taking my fur baby places like the park with the big hills I could never have walked before. And as if that weren't enough good news for a month, I have managed to meet the most wonderful man! He is so kind and generous and loving and I can't believe he choses me and I have chosen him, His love makes my cup runneth over, and I'm starting to feel safe and consistently loved, as well as really, fully taken care of in a way I didn't think was possible after my fiance passed away 11 years ago. It took some time, admitedly longer than I thought it might, but this man was worth waiting for, 100% I'm sending love and hugs hoping that your lovely times continue even when you are back in your own flat. I'm also sending that same wish to myself.
Good luck with your recovery & congratulations on your new relationship Rachel. I hope you're able to soak all the beautiful moments in as you spend time together.
Cannot describe how much I love this update 🥹 I feel like even in the short time we've been exchanging comments here you've been through SO much and it's just so beautiful to know life is finally giving you a bit of a break (or will be soon, after the recovery process 💜) sending big big love and fingers crossed for continued joy and romance and ease! 💜
I always love MJC-mail! So wholesome and bright and honest. Your holiday looked amazing with Char. You guys look so happy together. I’m glad for the heads up on the book Yellowface since it’s on my TBR. We just moved and I’m worn out by boxes and house projects and my body is having some pain with it all. I just feel exhausted but also excited to be in our new home!
Well done for doing the big adult thing Heather! You must be exhausted - gentleness with yourself where possible please! And yes Yellowface - it's really well written and easy to get into, but it's centred around social media drama and cancellations and I think I've had more than enough of that for one lifetime 🤣 let me know how you get on with it! 💖
Oh Megan what a lovely time 💕, I'm so jealous of that Greece trip! I need more vacation in my life. 🏝️
My month was actually quite difficult. I've had such a rough time at work, with office politics and having to cover for two other (more senior) people on top of my job due to some really insane circumstances. It's better now but I had multiple breakdowns along the way. I actually met up with some safe space coworkers last weekend, and finally told them the behind the scenes drama I was dealing with and very embarrassingly started crying. I guess that happens when you bottle things in. 😕
On a personal level, I'm also continuing to struggle with showing kindness to myself when I make mistakes. It's so hard! 😭
Anyway, thanks for providing this safe space to share and reflect with one another. Sending 🩷 💜 🩵 and joy.
Oh Samantha I don't think it's embarrassing that you cried, I think it's vulnerable and human and you probably gave the other people more permission to feel their own emotions as well! I'm sorry you've been carrying that around, I imagine it takes a real toll over time 💜 I hope things shift soon and you allow yourself all the cries necessary in the meantime 💖
Gorgeous holiday photos - so happy to see you both love and support each other so deeply, and to have such fab queer role models. After moving from London back up north this month I met up with my friend the other day - we both came out as gay this year - and it reminded me of how it's so healing to be around other queer people after not really having anybody be out in high school. We blasted Chappell Roan in the car and yelled-sung Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl ✨ I'm currently in the process of sorting out moving to Tokyo at the end of the month which is exciting and terrifying in equal measure, but I'm slowly feeling more ready as the days go by ❤️
Woah Stella, your life sounds like a movie! Love love that affirming queer moment and LOVE Chappell Roan omg - have you heard Love Me Anyway? It's a different vibe but just a lovely love song that's an underrated fave of hers! 💖
So much color and happiness and love in the photos this month. I know you fight hard for every moment. I’m glad you were able to stay present and allow yourself joy! I’m working on that too. Your friend Alice and her partner look amazing! So into their wedding aesthetic and their delight. What a beautiful thing to see. And of course you and Char are glowing and gorgeous in every pic. So glad you two had a relaxing vacation overall. All the matching outfits are adorable af :D Thanks for sharing your joy with us and giving us a peak into your month. Hope August is full of fun and rest and love <3
I hope you're ok Sophie! This is lovely and generous comment as always but I can't help but notice that you didn't share anything about you! Which leads me to suspect that maybe things are tough right now? Keep going. I'm really glad that someone with a heart as soft and strong as yours exists out there in the world. Wishing you all the peace, always 💖🌱
These photos are so dreamy, vibrant and beautiful! Wow! I’m outstanded by the colors and vibrancy in all your photos!
So glad to hear all the lovely news!!
My July has been interesting!
I turned 23 on July 3rd and that was fun! I got my very first car!! It’s been a super long journey with my driving anxiety and the financial aspect of affording a car. I now own a 2016 Kia Soul with a custom color and I named her Mocha (like her color!) and I’m so grateful cuz it’s truly taken me many many years to achieve this! I’m still nervous about parking (after a minor parking mishap with my mom’s car earlier this year) but I just park in the back and in spots that make me feel comfortable! I’m really feeling so much better about driving and I’m so grateful!
I’m a summer day camp counselor and this month has been packed! Also, this generation… oof… lol! + some co-worker drama was no fun but thankfully that’s over now! I’ve met some of my bestest friends at work, which was shocking to me cuz any time I’ve made friends in the work place it has always soured but this time I think I finally have a girl gang! Which has meant sm to me! I even fulfilled a dream, having moved with my parents to the beach 5 years ago, I have always wanted to drive down to the beach and meet friends and I finally did this week with my girl gang from work! We also did Muisc Bingo after work and I won the 80s round!!
My summer camp kids have taught me string bracelet making and now I’m obsessed with this hobby on top of my clay bead bracelet making obsession!
Wishing you & your fam all the love always Meg!
And to this dear community, I’m always thinking of yall! 💓
Marissa what a gorgeous update! WELL DONE on all these achievements - from Mocha to the girl gang! 🥳 Sounds like you've been working your butt off in lots of different challenging ways and it's really paid off, that makes me so glad to hear! 💖💖
I'm so glad you got a chance to go on a restorative holiday & embrace all the love you have in your life. That's amazing! I'm struggling with ending my current relationship. 2024 has been tough on us & even though we love one another we're not in the same place mentality or emotionally to be together right now. I'm moving across the country & long distance isn't an option. I've never ended a relationship with someone I care about before. Not quite sure how to move forward or fight against the idea this is my only chance at a healthy romantic relationship. I'm in my 30s and dating in my 20s was a nightmare.
Any tips on how to make space for myself and let go of the self limiting belief that I won't have this love again would be greatly appreciated.
Oh Chelsea this is so hard 💜 what a difficult decision you've had to make. I would love to be able to give some easy advice that will make it all better but it's gonna suck for a while, you already know that. The only thing I know for sure is that it will challenge you to grow into a new version of yourself, so all the limiting beliefs you're having now won't feel the same because you won't feel the same. You will have more tools and more resilience and a different perspective to take on whatever comes next. For now, just day by day, feel all the emotions and keep choosing yourself 💜💜
I love love love the matching outfit holiday photo and your holiday dress is breathtaking. You look fabulous. Love seeing your photos with Gem she really is very lucky to have a sister as awesome as you.I see that she commandeered Char again!! 😂😂😘
I have LOVED seeing your holiday pictures. The love just shines through and tbh if I was there I would be staring too in pure amazement of ✨women✨ your love is so beautiful and seems so wholly accepting of each other which is lovely. In Char’s reel the clip of you on the exercise machine you look so much like queen Gemma! I always love the Gemma updates too.
My life feels in need of a holiday to be honest but we are moving house so sadly cannot book anything just yet! Lots of change coming for me and I’m scared and trying to embrace it in equal measure!
You're doing great Lisa! Future you will be very thankful and proud of all the difficult things you did to get there 💜 I hope it all goes as smoothly as possible even though I know moving is an unavoidable pain in the ass 😬 hehe that's lovely that you saw the resemblance! The sun bleached hair probably helped 😘
This was such a lovely and colourful read. I'm so glad you managed to have such a beautiful and relaxing holiday (and could view the stares as just jealously of the glow??) - has made me look forward to my holiday in September even more🥰 I remember feeling so much joy over the photos from that wedding you posted on Instagram - it looked so lovely. it's been a tough month of a (positive and full of love and respect) break up feeding into my ongoing grief and loneliness but has led to me calling friends out of the blue for a chat which everyone has been delighted by❤️
Well done for reaching out and leaning into those platonic loves Harriet! Far too easy to neglect those connections and it's beautiful that you get to tend to them more now 🤗 sending a big squeeze to your heart - you two are doing great at tackling the waves as they come 💜 I hope the holiday next month is gorgeous!!
Loooveeee this wholesome content. You deserve the break and the sun and all the loveliness. The last month for me hasn't been the easiest. I have switched to a different birth control a while back and I am currently in the rough patch of hormones trying to get themselves back under control. It feels like I am going through puberty all over again at 26 because I am so annoyed at everything and my skin is breaking out all over the place. Decided for my own sake that a social media break is best so it was lovely to read about your life in this much slower paced way. Hope your August is going to be amazing!!
Eugh Ilse I hate that you're having to navigate this! The things we go through with these damn hormones 😣 I really hope the rough patch levels out soon 💜 sounds like you're setting the right boundaries to take better care of yourself in the meantime! Well done!! And in case nobody has told you, you are wonderful and worthy no matter what your skin is doing atm 💜
I'm so happy you got some family time (happy belated birthday to your dad!) and enjoyed some relaxing trips! Your friend Alice and her partner Ruth both looked phenomenal! I love Ruth's suit and Alice's dress. Congratulations to them! The newest thing with me is we have a possible stray cat that has picked us to stay with. Unfortunately we can't let her inside as we have three cats, but the possible stray sits outside all might and waits for us to get up in the morning to feed her and she's so affectionate and friendly!
Of course! There has been a development and it seems as if he did go rogue! He's been coming to ours every other day and waiting outside for us until morning. The same thing happened yesterday afternoon, so my SO went out to stroke him when a man pulled up in his car and shouted the cat's name. Our new little kitty friend walked up to him and got in his car, so looks like he has a home! Apparently he does it all the time - finds a new family to get food off of and get into their favour 😂 We hope he still comes back to see is though! 💜
I'm so happy you took that vacation, you deserved it, simply because you are human <3
I have a big life win that is still going on, which is that I got diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and started cpap treatment a couple of months ago. I already feel SO much better! I have a few other illnesses too and I finally feel like there is some hope! Maybe I finally get to live again :D
Your holiday sounds and looks like it was truly a joyous and loving time! I'm so happy for you and Char and your families <3 As for me, I'm struggling right now to recover from spinal surgery, AND I'm thrilled that this surgery implanted a spinal cord stimulator which will allow me to "dial down" my chronic kidney pain through an app on my iphone! After nearly 20 years of constant debilitating pain, I am finally allowing myself to dream about doing the things you talked about in your mjcmail...going on a trip or taking my fur baby places like the park with the big hills I could never have walked before. And as if that weren't enough good news for a month, I have managed to meet the most wonderful man! He is so kind and generous and loving and I can't believe he choses me and I have chosen him, His love makes my cup runneth over, and I'm starting to feel safe and consistently loved, as well as really, fully taken care of in a way I didn't think was possible after my fiance passed away 11 years ago. It took some time, admitedly longer than I thought it might, but this man was worth waiting for, 100% I'm sending love and hugs hoping that your lovely times continue even when you are back in your own flat. I'm also sending that same wish to myself.
Good luck with your recovery & congratulations on your new relationship Rachel. I hope you're able to soak all the beautiful moments in as you spend time together.
Cannot describe how much I love this update 🥹 I feel like even in the short time we've been exchanging comments here you've been through SO much and it's just so beautiful to know life is finally giving you a bit of a break (or will be soon, after the recovery process 💜) sending big big love and fingers crossed for continued joy and romance and ease! 💜
Alice’s mermaid dress!!!!! Pure heaven 🩵
So happy that you had a glorious holiday, darling, some holidays are shit, ngl, and it’s wonderful when you have a good one
At every opportunity I’m watching flowers grow, have just discovered zinnias - they are incredible
I love you
Went straight to find pictures of them, they are glorious and SO diverse! Just like us 🤭💖
I always love MJC-mail! So wholesome and bright and honest. Your holiday looked amazing with Char. You guys look so happy together. I’m glad for the heads up on the book Yellowface since it’s on my TBR. We just moved and I’m worn out by boxes and house projects and my body is having some pain with it all. I just feel exhausted but also excited to be in our new home!
Well done for doing the big adult thing Heather! You must be exhausted - gentleness with yourself where possible please! And yes Yellowface - it's really well written and easy to get into, but it's centred around social media drama and cancellations and I think I've had more than enough of that for one lifetime 🤣 let me know how you get on with it! 💖
Oh Megan what a lovely time 💕, I'm so jealous of that Greece trip! I need more vacation in my life. 🏝️
My month was actually quite difficult. I've had such a rough time at work, with office politics and having to cover for two other (more senior) people on top of my job due to some really insane circumstances. It's better now but I had multiple breakdowns along the way. I actually met up with some safe space coworkers last weekend, and finally told them the behind the scenes drama I was dealing with and very embarrassingly started crying. I guess that happens when you bottle things in. 😕
On a personal level, I'm also continuing to struggle with showing kindness to myself when I make mistakes. It's so hard! 😭
Anyway, thanks for providing this safe space to share and reflect with one another. Sending 🩷 💜 🩵 and joy.
Oh Samantha I don't think it's embarrassing that you cried, I think it's vulnerable and human and you probably gave the other people more permission to feel their own emotions as well! I'm sorry you've been carrying that around, I imagine it takes a real toll over time 💜 I hope things shift soon and you allow yourself all the cries necessary in the meantime 💖
Aww thank you for those kind words Megan, it really helps provide some perspective 🙏
Gorgeous holiday photos - so happy to see you both love and support each other so deeply, and to have such fab queer role models. After moving from London back up north this month I met up with my friend the other day - we both came out as gay this year - and it reminded me of how it's so healing to be around other queer people after not really having anybody be out in high school. We blasted Chappell Roan in the car and yelled-sung Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl ✨ I'm currently in the process of sorting out moving to Tokyo at the end of the month which is exciting and terrifying in equal measure, but I'm slowly feeling more ready as the days go by ❤️
Woah Stella, your life sounds like a movie! Love love that affirming queer moment and LOVE Chappell Roan omg - have you heard Love Me Anyway? It's a different vibe but just a lovely love song that's an underrated fave of hers! 💖
So much color and happiness and love in the photos this month. I know you fight hard for every moment. I’m glad you were able to stay present and allow yourself joy! I’m working on that too. Your friend Alice and her partner look amazing! So into their wedding aesthetic and their delight. What a beautiful thing to see. And of course you and Char are glowing and gorgeous in every pic. So glad you two had a relaxing vacation overall. All the matching outfits are adorable af :D Thanks for sharing your joy with us and giving us a peak into your month. Hope August is full of fun and rest and love <3
I hope you're ok Sophie! This is lovely and generous comment as always but I can't help but notice that you didn't share anything about you! Which leads me to suspect that maybe things are tough right now? Keep going. I'm really glad that someone with a heart as soft and strong as yours exists out there in the world. Wishing you all the peace, always 💖🌱
I am struggling a bit, but I’m okay, love. This comment really meant a lot to me. Thank you <3
This was a beautiful read, currently sat smiling into my coffee on a solo Sunday date 🌹
Solo Sunday date! Cute! 💖
These photos are so dreamy, vibrant and beautiful! Wow! I’m outstanded by the colors and vibrancy in all your photos!
So glad to hear all the lovely news!!
My July has been interesting!
I turned 23 on July 3rd and that was fun! I got my very first car!! It’s been a super long journey with my driving anxiety and the financial aspect of affording a car. I now own a 2016 Kia Soul with a custom color and I named her Mocha (like her color!) and I’m so grateful cuz it’s truly taken me many many years to achieve this! I’m still nervous about parking (after a minor parking mishap with my mom’s car earlier this year) but I just park in the back and in spots that make me feel comfortable! I’m really feeling so much better about driving and I’m so grateful!
I’m a summer day camp counselor and this month has been packed! Also, this generation… oof… lol! + some co-worker drama was no fun but thankfully that’s over now! I’ve met some of my bestest friends at work, which was shocking to me cuz any time I’ve made friends in the work place it has always soured but this time I think I finally have a girl gang! Which has meant sm to me! I even fulfilled a dream, having moved with my parents to the beach 5 years ago, I have always wanted to drive down to the beach and meet friends and I finally did this week with my girl gang from work! We also did Muisc Bingo after work and I won the 80s round!!
My summer camp kids have taught me string bracelet making and now I’m obsessed with this hobby on top of my clay bead bracelet making obsession!
Wishing you & your fam all the love always Meg!
And to this dear community, I’m always thinking of yall! 💓
Marissa what a gorgeous update! WELL DONE on all these achievements - from Mocha to the girl gang! 🥳 Sounds like you've been working your butt off in lots of different challenging ways and it's really paid off, that makes me so glad to hear! 💖💖
I'm so glad you got a chance to go on a restorative holiday & embrace all the love you have in your life. That's amazing! I'm struggling with ending my current relationship. 2024 has been tough on us & even though we love one another we're not in the same place mentality or emotionally to be together right now. I'm moving across the country & long distance isn't an option. I've never ended a relationship with someone I care about before. Not quite sure how to move forward or fight against the idea this is my only chance at a healthy romantic relationship. I'm in my 30s and dating in my 20s was a nightmare.
Any tips on how to make space for myself and let go of the self limiting belief that I won't have this love again would be greatly appreciated.
Oh Chelsea this is so hard 💜 what a difficult decision you've had to make. I would love to be able to give some easy advice that will make it all better but it's gonna suck for a while, you already know that. The only thing I know for sure is that it will challenge you to grow into a new version of yourself, so all the limiting beliefs you're having now won't feel the same because you won't feel the same. You will have more tools and more resilience and a different perspective to take on whatever comes next. For now, just day by day, feel all the emotions and keep choosing yourself 💜💜
Always so happy to see you being happy... Does my heart good.
I love love love the matching outfit holiday photo and your holiday dress is breathtaking. You look fabulous. Love seeing your photos with Gem she really is very lucky to have a sister as awesome as you.I see that she commandeered Char again!! 😂😂😘
I have LOVED seeing your holiday pictures. The love just shines through and tbh if I was there I would be staring too in pure amazement of ✨women✨ your love is so beautiful and seems so wholly accepting of each other which is lovely. In Char’s reel the clip of you on the exercise machine you look so much like queen Gemma! I always love the Gemma updates too.
My life feels in need of a holiday to be honest but we are moving house so sadly cannot book anything just yet! Lots of change coming for me and I’m scared and trying to embrace it in equal measure!
You're doing great Lisa! Future you will be very thankful and proud of all the difficult things you did to get there 💜 I hope it all goes as smoothly as possible even though I know moving is an unavoidable pain in the ass 😬 hehe that's lovely that you saw the resemblance! The sun bleached hair probably helped 😘
Thank you Megan, your kindness and realistic optimism is very much appreciated! 💜
I’m so excited to see the new hair! I’m thinking sunset skies vibes if you’re still seeking opinions! 😘
This was such a lovely and colourful read. I'm so glad you managed to have such a beautiful and relaxing holiday (and could view the stares as just jealously of the glow??) - has made me look forward to my holiday in September even more🥰 I remember feeling so much joy over the photos from that wedding you posted on Instagram - it looked so lovely. it's been a tough month of a (positive and full of love and respect) break up feeding into my ongoing grief and loneliness but has led to me calling friends out of the blue for a chat which everyone has been delighted by❤️
Well done for reaching out and leaning into those platonic loves Harriet! Far too easy to neglect those connections and it's beautiful that you get to tend to them more now 🤗 sending a big squeeze to your heart - you two are doing great at tackling the waves as they come 💜 I hope the holiday next month is gorgeous!!
Loooveeee this wholesome content. You deserve the break and the sun and all the loveliness. The last month for me hasn't been the easiest. I have switched to a different birth control a while back and I am currently in the rough patch of hormones trying to get themselves back under control. It feels like I am going through puberty all over again at 26 because I am so annoyed at everything and my skin is breaking out all over the place. Decided for my own sake that a social media break is best so it was lovely to read about your life in this much slower paced way. Hope your August is going to be amazing!!
Eugh Ilse I hate that you're having to navigate this! The things we go through with these damn hormones 😣 I really hope the rough patch levels out soon 💜 sounds like you're setting the right boundaries to take better care of yourself in the meantime! Well done!! And in case nobody has told you, you are wonderful and worthy no matter what your skin is doing atm 💜
I'm so happy you got some family time (happy belated birthday to your dad!) and enjoyed some relaxing trips! Your friend Alice and her partner Ruth both looked phenomenal! I love Ruth's suit and Alice's dress. Congratulations to them! The newest thing with me is we have a possible stray cat that has picked us to stay with. Unfortunately we can't let her inside as we have three cats, but the possible stray sits outside all might and waits for us to get up in the morning to feed her and she's so affectionate and friendly!
Omg! It sounds like the cat distribution system is at work! Let me know how this develops, I do love a rogue cat story! 💖
Of course! There has been a development and it seems as if he did go rogue! He's been coming to ours every other day and waiting outside for us until morning. The same thing happened yesterday afternoon, so my SO went out to stroke him when a man pulled up in his car and shouted the cat's name. Our new little kitty friend walked up to him and got in his car, so looks like he has a home! Apparently he does it all the time - finds a new family to get food off of and get into their favour 😂 We hope he still comes back to see is though! 💜
I'm so happy you took that vacation, you deserved it, simply because you are human <3
I have a big life win that is still going on, which is that I got diagnosed with severe sleep apnea and started cpap treatment a couple of months ago. I already feel SO much better! I have a few other illnesses too and I finally feel like there is some hope! Maybe I finally get to live again :D
Yay Ellen! Cheering for you
Thank you so much! :D