I Can't Stop Thinking About...Bridgerton

Hi friends!

Wow, it’s been a minute, hasn’t it? I hate starting projects and letting them fizzle , but grad school, wedding planning, and life in general has had me busy, busy, busy the last few months. But I just handed in my final (the first I’ve done in eight! years) a few weeks ago and am free for the summer. 

Since finishing my final, the idea of getting back to my other writing projects has been eating at me. However, I’m trying this new thing called “rest.”

I struggle with taking breaks. This is most obvious at the end of the day when I realize I haven’t accomplished nearly as much as I hoped and start scrambling to get some writing or household task done to feel more at ease instead of winding down for the night. (Yes, my partner has called me out on this and yes, I realize it’s probably why I don’t get enough sleep.) 

I always feel like I could be doing more. This feeling got worse last year when I was furloughed at my job. Not making nearly enough, I decided I needed to start freelancing more as well as job hunting. When I got my current job, I almost immediately started grad school which, along with wedding planning, ate up more free time.

When I handed in my final at the end of April, I realized for the first time in over a year, I had nothing I “should” be doing in my free time. Wedding planning is at a lull (we’ve secured most of our vendors) and while I still freelance, the urgency has eased since getting a pay bump at my new job. I could finally just rest. 

Of course, I did not know how to do this. But two things helped. Last month, my friend, Makena, taught me how to cross stitch. I was immediately sucked in, spending five hours at a time working on a project. 

At the same time, I decided to rewatch “Bridgerton” because I was writing a story for work on its historical accuracy. My nightly routine became a cup of tea, my cross stitch, and watching an episode. 

I saw this Tweet about how Bridgerton is Cocomelon for women. A bunch of people were insulted, but I laughed because it’s true. It was only when I was watching “Bridgerton” that I finally let myself relax. I wish I could give you some deeper analysis as to why I like it, but it really comes down to this: It’s just fun. The costumes are pretty. I like the music. And I love the romance. (I know everyone’s about season three right now, but I gotta tell you guys, nothing will top Kate and Anthony for me. I think this is a safe space to admit Penelope and Colin just don’t do it for me like those two hardheaded eldest children learning to let themselves love!) 

The whole point of this newsletter is for me to dive into the “why” of my favorite things. I love doing that. But in this season of life, I’m learning it’s ok to just be sometimes and do things because I like them and deserve to enjoy them. It’s ok to just put on a show and dive into a project for no reason other than the fact it brings me joy. It’s ok to continuously watch season two of Bridgerton cause I love the enemies-to-lover tope (but will never get that in real life because I tend to actually loathe my enemies) and tell my fiance he’s the bane of my existence and the object of all my desires (maybe that last one is just me).

 Through this, I’ve found a way to rest. 

I also can’t stop thinking about…

• The feud between Kendrick and Drake. This beef has it all: good music, a clear winner, and a hysterical Wikipedia page. I’ve admittedly only listened to Kendrick’s side, but what more do I need? I aspire to be that cutting.

• “Wicked” by Gregory Maguire. Ok, I’m also gripped by the new movie trailer (speaking of Anthony Bridgerton…), but I decided to reread the book via audiobook and I appreciate much more now than I did when I first read it at 15. I’ve also struggled to get into audiobooks and I’ve found I’m much more into it when it’s a book I’ve been wanting to revisit.