Hello From Here: Volume 2

A list for the first day of spring 🪴🌸

Maybe you know today is the first day of spring, maybe you don’t think it’s official until you see the flowers blooming. I was planning on sending a ‘spring essay’ I’ve been rewriting for months, but the writer’s block is real—and beautiful in its own way.

This newsletter is meant to be a soft place to share my words, so I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve written down lately, as life happens and we try to reply to every text, plan meals for the week, remember to hydrate, and pay taxes.

Why a list? Because I’m a professional list-maker, it’s how my brain organizes information.

Simple reminders:

• Run toward the beauty

• Lead with compassion

• Pray about everything

• Slow down, it’s always worth it

• Step outside your comfort zone

• Set the table without a specific reason

• Remember the good, fight for the truth

• Make room for tears, they lead to hope

• Choose kindness, even when you’re tired

• Say hello, smile, and hold the door for others

• Count to ten, breathe, and repeat as needed

Some practical stuff:

• A date with yourself is always worth it

• Boxed mac and cheese is a complete meal

• Jazz music is great for your nervous system

• Hard conversations are good, they make you grow

• It’s totally acceptable to ask Google what is March Madness

• ‘No’ is a complete sentence and boundaries don’t require an explanation

• Ice cubes and cold water make Trader Joe’s flowers last longer—as we patiently wait for farmers market season

• Spring is here—according to the magazine section at Barnes & Noble, and I agree

Some people say the world is a heavy place right now, and in so many ways, that’s the truth.

But as children of God, we get to be light, we get to show up in the dark places and speak life.

I believe that for us, as we go and try again, fall short and get rescued by grace for the hundredth time. Because faith will never quit reminding us that His mercies are new each day.

Remember to breathe, remember to believe.

Spring is here, make it yours, and make a list! 😉

Talk soon,

Stella