A Fresh Perspective: July 18th
what to do when the magic of summer starts to fade
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Hi friend,
Summer is supposed to be easy, right?
But somehow, the heat, the noise, the endless sunscreen applications, and the pressure to “make memories” can leave us feeling fried—emotionally and literally. It’s overstimulation in disguise: too many plans, too much sun, too little space to breathe.
If you’re feeling crispy around the edges, you’re not alone. Sometimes the kindest thing you can do is zone out, turn inward, and let yourself decompress—no explanation needed. We’re here for that. This week, consider A Fresh Perspective your invitation to log off, slow down, and remember that rest is not just allowed—it’s sacred.
And we’re right here with you. 💛
With love,
Olivia & Jenny
Dear Jenny—
Is it just me… or is summer kind of… a lot?
I know I should be grateful—sunshine, barbecues, beach days, all the things that make it
the best season ever. But lately, I find myself dreading the group texts, the "you coming?" messages, the endless parade of social things I feel like I should want to do. I used to love summer, but this year? I’m tired. I want to sit inside with the blinds drawn and the fan on high and just be.How do I say no without sounding like a buzzkill? How do I explain that it's not personal, I'm just… sort of over summer right now?
Hi love,
First of all: you are not alone. I, too, have had summers where I'd hit the point of the season where I’d like to politely excuse myself from all group chats until October.
Here’s the truth: “No” is a complete sentence. But if you want to pad it a bit with etiquette and kindness (which I always encourage), try something like:
“I love you, and I’m sitting this one out. I’m in my ‘less is more’ summer era.”
“I’m feeling a little overcooked—going to take this weekend to recharge. Can’t wait to catch up soon.”
You don’t owe anyone a performance of summer joy. It’s okay to opt out of the bonfires and birthday parties and pool hangs. Your peace matters, even in July.
Sending you permission to disappear into a cool room with snacks,
XO Jenny
P.S. You’re not a buzzkill. You’re just a human being with limits. Those are beautiful.
What the heck do I eat?
When you’re overstimulated, overtired, and over summer altogether, even deciding what to eat can feel like one more thing on the to-do list. Cooking? No thank you. Meal planning? Not in this humidity.
This week, we’re keeping it real with food that requires minimal effort, zero emotional bandwidth, and no shame. Think: snack plates as dinner, rotisserie chicken magic, and bowls of cold things that whisper you’re doing your best. Because you are.
The Snack Plate That Accidentally Became Dinner
Grab a big plate, pile on whatever you’ve got:
A scoop of hummus or cottage cheese
A handful of crackers or pretzels
Some sliced cucumber or baby carrots
A few rolled-up pieces of deli meat or leftover chicken
Optional: a square of dark chocolate or chocolate chips to remind yourself you’re still a person
Eat it on the couch. In your comfiest shorts. This counts as nourishment and self-respect.
Rotisserie Chicken Revamp Bowl
Tear up some rotisserie chicken (with your hands—go wild). Toss it in a bowl with:
Some arugula or spinach (or not)
A scoop of rice, couscous, or quinoa (leftover or microwaved is fine)
A drizzle of whatever dressing is open in the fridge
Optional: add a crunched-up handful of chips on top. It’s a salad. It’s a meal. It’s fine dining in an Old Navy tank top.
Lazy Tortilla Pizza
Put a tortilla on a baking sheet. Spoon on:
Some tomato sauce (leftover jarred pasta sauce is perfect)
A handful of shredded cheese
Optional: sliced mushrooms, olives, or pepperoni if your soul allows
Bake at 400° for 7–10 minutes or until it smells like a win. Cut it into messy wedges. Eat it standing up. That’s called reclaiming your evening.
Affirmations to help you through!
I am allowed to feel overwhelmed, even in the sunshine.
I can step away without guilt.
Stillness is productive. Rest is revolutionary.
Distractions to support you –
Need some podcasts and YouTube videos to escape into? We got you! Check these out:
Disgraceland (podcast): Fleetwood Mac, part 1: Guns, god, cocaine and rumors → This podcast dives into the wild, tangled history of Fleetwood Mac—a band fueled by incredible talent and nonstop drama. From cults and drug busts to romantic chaos and chart-topping hits, their story is as legendary as their music.
You’re Wrong About (podcast): Inventing the Teenager with Harmony Colangelo → Where did all these teens come from? Harmony Colangelo, co-host of This Ends at Prom, is here to explain how, before Americans got to worry about what teenagers were up to, we first had to decide what they were—and how a boom in postwar educational films taught a generation of adolescents what not to do.
Articles of Interest (podcast): Plus Sizes → Plus-sized fashion seems to live in a separate trend cycle. There are different patterns, different cuts. And most notably, women’s shirts often have holes in their shoulders. And this separate plus-sized fashion universe reveals a lot about the way clothes are made and measured… and the way clothes dictate who is allowed to participate in public life.
Food Theory (YouTube): Why are People So ADDICTED to Diet Coke? → Why are people ADDICTED to Diet Coke? Is it the ingredients? Is it just simply the taste? This episode gets to the bottom of WHY this beverage has one of the craziest fanbases on the planet.
Wait in the Wings (YouTube): The Spongebob Musical that BROKE Broadway → Everyone was certain that Spongebob Squarepants the musical was destined to flop, and yet to the surprise of almost everybody, the show would become a Broadway smash. It would even go on to tie for the most Tony nominations for a show. The question is, what's the story?
Defunctland (YouTube): The History of the Nickelodeon Hotel → Defunctland packs its bags and checks into Orlando, Florida's forgotten resort, the Nickelodeon Hotel. Or the Nickelodeon Family Suites by Holiday Inn. Or just the Nick Hotel. It had a lot of names.
Shopping is a form of therapy, right?
We think these sweatshirts would be the perfect clothing accessory to cuddle in while watching YouTube videos.
‘No’ sweatshirt, Black Sheep sweatshirt, Former Good Girl sweatshirt, Emotionally Vulnerable raglan
So, if you’re feeling a little frayed at the edges, know you’re not alone—we’re right there with you, peeling off our sticky clothes and wondering what day it is. Let this be your permission slip to rest, reset, and eat dinner that requires zero emotional labor. We’ll be here all summer long, offering shade, snacks, and A Fresh Perspective.