It’s so quiet here it makes me tired. The calm is allowing flashbacks of sitting in school watching cars drive by through the window. I couldn’t wait to grow up and be outside the school walls, like the adults in those cars.

Feeling caged through my childhood until graduation, then the same into adulthood and entering the workforce.

Kessler is refusing to leave the library. And why am I asking her to? We have nowhere else to be. Why can’t I just sit here and enjoy her? Why can’t I be present?

The same feeling of being trapped coming up inside me. My brain automatically wants to find an escape regardless of the circumstances.

How do I retrain it? What practices can help me feel daily content in the present?

“Perhaps the biggest tragedy of our lives if that freedom is possible, yet we can pass our years trapped in the same old patterns. Entangled in the trance of unworthiness, we grow accustomed to caging ourselves in with self-judgement and anxiety, with restlessness and dissatisfaction.” – Tara Brach from Radical Acceptance

Taylor

Pleasure>productivity, the whole theme of my trip to Denver.

I learned this mantra from the Tea Lady website (see below) and it resonated knowing I had a vacation approaching. I wanted this trip to be a reset and pleasure>productivity was a good anchor to come back to when my mind was stuck in self-doubt and guilt for being away.

From eating wonderful food and being present with my friends to carving out time to be playful. Pleasure, rest and play – is what I did in Denver.

Started with a Bao Buns from Linger Mortuary which were one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. Being present with Ashleigh and Haleigh at the dinner table was the cherry though. I am usually juggling caretaker and friend which can be exhausting.

On day 2 we got to attend Ashleigh’s yoga class. Much needed after a travel day.

Fancy dinner at Stellar Jay in the evening. VERY fun to get dressed up and drink delicious cocktails. I was able to let myself be silly.

On day 3 we hiked in Boulder = sun and nature medicine.

Ended day 3 at a Cacao and Breathwork ceremony where I really got to tap into what pleasure>productivity means to me. And pulled this card from the Oracle deck!!

Have one day left here and I’m making this blog post from a bubble bath – so far so good.

This mantra is asking how often do I prioritize pleasure? How can I balance pleasure and productivity?

Xoxo,

Taylor

Caleb and I spent our anniversary at Stonebreaker Hotel in Fayetteville, AR this year.

We went for dinner and it was a great time.

From the outside Stonebreaker was not extravagant but as soon as we walked in, that changed. Both the bar and dining room were private, spacious and very sexy.

The minimalist mid century modern interior design with a touch of blue felt calm & cool.

We were sat right next to a large window in an empty restaurant. Since we eat dinner early, we had the restaurant side all to ourselves until other patrons slowly trickled in.

Wish I could remember the rosé I chose. It was the best rosé I’ve ever had. Light, crisp, perfectly sweet, flavorful and deep pink in color.

Food was good! I’d like to go back when the menu changes (it was changing the week after we went.) I ordered fried chicken & curried grapes. The grapes were so so good.

Wonderful experience and highly recommend for a fancy dinner experience.

xoxo,

Taylor

The changing of seasons is a great time to go inward, listen and become aware. The fall equinox asks us what are we ready to harvest? What are we letting go of? The start of fall is a great time to check in on the year so far.

I’ve been reflecting on my growth as a yoga teacher, my role as a SAHM and my photography career.

I’ve been having a lot of self doubt as a yoga instructor. I don’t feel like I’ve found my voice. But I have come very far this year as an instructor and I’m not letting that growth go unnoticed. I’m very proud of what I’ve accomplished and the volume of classes I’ve decided to take on which have fit into my life nicely.

Another role I really stepped into this year is being a stay at home mom. Kessler is home with me everyday and most days I have a routine that works for us. I never envisioned this is where I’d be and I’m so glad I’m here.

Lastly, photography… I announced in June that I was stepping away from photography sessions and clients for the reminder of 2025 to focus on Kessler and this summer, I did. It was a much needed reset. My insistence on booking zero clients subsided as my bank account dwindled and I have booked a few sessions in late October and November. Along with booking came excitement, anxiety and a teeny bit of dread. Much less though. I’m aware I need to keep my finger on the pulse through fall and not lose sight of where I’m putting my energy.

Great time to reflect and I’m so excited my second favorite season is here 🍁 ❤️

Most excited for: Uggs, foggy runs, and pumpkin spice lattes.

Least excited for: seasonal affective disorder

Xoxo,

Just Another Taylor

Last weekend I traveled back to my hometown for my sister’s birthday. As I’ve mentioned in past posts, it’s always hard for me to be away from home and away from my safe place. By safe place I mostly mean Caleb, Rudy and Kessler but also my routine.

This part of my introverted personality is misunderstood by the extrovert I have always considered myself to be. A contradiction within my being that hates being away from home or being around anyone except close friends and family yet craves adventure, new experiences and unfamiliar faces.

I try to balance these personality traits so that I’m not completely drained one way or the other but recent conversations I’ve had with people have me questioning am I becoming too introverted? Am I staying home too much? Am I fucking weird for being a stay at home mom?

The conversations were in passing and surface level, so I have no idea why I have continued to ruminate on them.

“That’s weird” was the reply I got when I said that I don’t like being away from Kessler. “I’m sorry” was the reply I got when I told someone I’m a stay at home mom. (Okay I kind of get the I’m sorry 🤣)

Comments like these are few and far between but when they come I’m fucked up about them. I immediately spiral into the belief that I’m some kind of freak who doesn’t know how to exist in society properly. Actually now that I’m typing this, I’ve never been able to squeeze myself into a societal box that well.

I occasionally complain about being a wife but the fact is that Caleb is my person and one of the only people I can completely relax around.

I occasionally complain about how fucking hard being a mom is but the fact is that this is the only thing I’ve ever truly wanted in life and is the most important thing to me.

They are my safe place. And I’m not weird.

Xoxo

Taylor

I realized after I made the last two updates that I never shared a life update before those.

Again, the last time I was very into writing blog posts was nearly a decade ago.

Since then I’ve gotten married and become a mother. Those are the two biggest and most important life things that have happened for me. Everything I’ve ever wished for, btw!

I’ve also chosen an additional career path as a Yoga Instructor. I love it!

Xoxo,

Just another taylor

It’s already mid-August and our summer family road trip is officially over. I don’t even want to know what is waiting for us back in Arkansas. A lot of dead plants.

As we packed up to leave Salida, CO this morning Caleb and I started the “where did summer go?” conversation. According to him we lose an hour of daylight in August.

We make a Colorado summer trip every year with various stops on the way to our final destination, Salida. This town is where big mountains, desert vibes and river fun all intersect.

There is a lot to do in such a small town. Biking, running, surfing, rafting, shopping, dining + community events to name a few.

We have the best local guides and spend our time here like one.

What I did

What I ate

Where we stayed

This year we stayed in an airbnb loft style home that inspired me with its attainable interior design and zen qualities. I read a couple of the host’s books that were displayed on the shelves and really enjoyed the stay here.

This book was a good concept for me to come across. As someone who finds life to be mostly mundane and depressing the idea that some enlightened and spiritual paths are “laundry” was incredibly comforting.

As I wave goodbye to summer and all it offered this year I’m looking forward to fall, pumpkin spice and being a homebody.

xo,

Just Another Taylor