The last two weeks have been really intense for me with anxiety. I can’t 100% put my finger on one specific thing that triggered it but I think it’s a mix of the holiday season (I always get anxiety around this time and I actually went back to read this post from last year about how to combat holiday anxiety) mixed with cloudy weather mixed with a fall that Amalia had on our staircase that scared the crap out of me, made me feel like the worst mom in the world, and had me shaking for hours all at the same time. By the way, she’s totally fine, it was worse on me than on her.
But a sunny day yesterday, some helpful conversations with Anel, getting my ducks in a row with work and home projects, spending time with my girl, and a morning walk on the beach with Boots set me back on track. I’m feeling better today and am hoping that my good mood seeps into the weekend and Thanksgiving next week.
In the meantime, here are 5 things I’ve been loving in November. I love this series because I just get to share things that I love with no pressure and no expectations. It’s fun to create so I think I’m going to keep it around for 2020 too!
1. Essential Oil Stone. I love my diffuser and use it in my office most days while I work. But at night before bed, I get lazy and always forget to refill the one in our bedroom and then feel too tired to do it after I remember. Then I saw this essential oil stone in my friend’s acupuncture studio (she also sells it online for $20!) and it has been the perfect solution. It lives on my nightstand and I just put 3-4 drops of lavender on it before bed. I don’t know how it works but it scents up the room (subtly) with whatever oil you use and there’s no need to change water or anything like that. It would also be really nice on a desk at work.
If you don’t like the design of that one, I found this really simple stone on Amazon that does the same thing. Either one of these would make a great stocking stuffer. Or pair it with your favorite essential oil as a gift for a coworker or friend.
2. ChomChom Pet Hair Roller. Boots sheds a lot more in the winter and his hair is really thick and black so it is very easy to see. We have a Roomba that cleans every afternoon which is great for the floors but our blankets and couches get covered in dog hair. I saw this Amazon pet hair roller on my friend’s Instagram stories and bought it immediately upon seeing how effective it looked.
3. Bread Box. We eat a lot of toast in my house. Amalia requests toast and eggs for breakfast at least 3x/week and I have a slice of whole wheat sourdough toast almost every morning. We keep English muffins and certain bread in the fridge but for the sourdough and her morning toast bread, we like to keep it out on the counter so we always have at least two loaves of bread that need to be out. When we keep them on the counter alone they get moldy quickly, but it was hard to find a big enough bread box to hold what we need.
4. Cheeky Dishcloth Set. This was another purchase from Instagram stories! @things.i.bought.and.liked is one of my new favorite accounts to follow because she reviews products she buys and doesn’t take on any sponsorships there. She reviewed these dishcloths from an Etsy shop called Boldfaced and I knew immediately I needed them. We’re trying to use fewer paper towels in our home and these reusable cloths with song lyrics definitely help. I use them to wipe down counters, dry dishes, and clean floor messes. On top of that, they are 100% natural and printed with water-based inks and produced from renewable raw materials that are recyclable in 6-9 months. I also love this set.
5. Benefit Watt’s Up Highlighter. I’ve been using this highlighter for a few years now and although it’s not clean beauty, it’s really a beautiful touch of shimmer for your cheekbones. I feel like I’ve been using it double-time lately since the lighting outside is so drab and dull. It gives me the perfect amount of glow and people always ask about it when I have it on. Whenever I don’t use it, I feel like I’m missing something on my face and even though it’s not a new product, I feel like it deserved a spot on this list.
Check out the 5 random things I was loving in July, August, September, and October.
Tell me one thing you’re loving this month!
Great list.. Glad you are back on track and took the time to do things that make you happy! Hoping your daughter is okay.. <3
Thanks Jennifer! She is totally fine. She barely even cried and didn’t have a scratch. It was more about me feeling guilty and getting scared.
Love these blog posts. I’ve found so many helpful products through you. Hope you have a good weekend!
That makes me so happy to hear. Thanks for telling me, Jenny!
I just ordered that bread box on Wednesday!! I think it comes today!!! Can’t wait!
It’s a good one and looks good on the counter. Enjoy it!
Have a tried a circadian light in the morning? I just sit with mine for 20 or 30 minutes while having my coffee/reading.
Just a thought for winter time anxiety.
Christine Pratzel
Thank you for reminding me! I haven’t been able to find mine since we moved so I just bought a new one after reading this comment. Thank you so much. I’m hoping that helps a lot.
OMG, that diffuser stone. I just ordered 4 of them for some special ladies in my life for the holidays. SO SO HAPPY to have 4 gifts crossed off my holiday list; totally made my day. Perfect gift paired with a nice oil. I love these posts, def please keep them up in 2020!
They are SO GOOD your friends will love them. Such a great gift! Plus you’re supporting one of my best friends so win/win/win!
Have you heard of the book, The Wisdom of Anxiety, by Sheryl Paul? I have not read it, but it’s on my list! She also has an instagram account that I follow – worth a look! Here’s to hoping your anxiety continues to abate. 🙂
Anxiety is debilitating and you discuss it often but I find it strange that you post pictures of evenings out, parties etc… and then state you have been suffering terribly from your anxiety. I am not saying that you are lying about your anxiety but as someone that has anxiety and works with people whom suffer from anxiety/depression I find your posts to be very confusing. Confusing because many people with anxiety are unable to function even at times completing the most mundane tasks. They are unable to leave the house, have jobs etc.. you talk about your anxiety pretty regularly but have yet to state what therapies you have tried ie: EMDR, Hypnosis, visualization, medications, diet. That would be the information that would be a lot more sincere and helpful than oh my god my anxiety is so bad .
I’m so sorry that you suffer from anxiety as well. It’s so hard and I feel for anyone going through it. As someone who works with people who suffer, you know that every person is difffernt and everyone handles it differently. A year ago, it would have been another story but now that I’m medicted on an SSRI, it’s so much more managable. It’s still there but it’s not as debilitating.
I’m sharing my story as things happen which might not always make sense to people reading it but I truly believe that being transparent and honest, even if it doesn’t fit “the right narrative” is the best way to talk about these things.
I’ve talked a lot about the therapies I’ve tried, my coping mechanisms, and my journey with medication. Search “anxiety” on my blog and you can see them all! I hope that helps.
I see you. I hear you. I’m sorry. You are a wonderful mother and this too shall pass. XOXO
Thank you Lauren. That is so kind and loving. xoxo
Just bought the essential oil stone!! I was literally looking for something like this that I could put in my outlet-free entryway!! I want my home to smell fresh when you walk in; not like the pile of shoes we keep in cubbies by the door Thanks for sharing!!
I hope it work for you!
Hi Julia – I’m sorry to hear you had a rough week and glad you are feeling better. I truly do not mean to add to any sort of negative feelings with the question I’m about to ask, but I feel like it is warranted. You mention above that you love this “Five Random Things” series and plan to continue it for 2020. I do think it’s a fun and interesting series so would be happy to see it continue.
However – I feel like you always promise series and then they die off – and as a regular follower, that is frustrating. Most recently, you were doing an “Outfits of the Week” recap on Friday – well that lasted for four Fridays in October and hasn’t been brought back since. I think you did mention you weren’t feeling well one week, but that has been it since 10/25. Then also at the beginning of the year you promised Book Club (which understand you have since stopped), Wear It Again (which I thought would really tie into your sustainability message but hasn’t popped up much), Weeknight Recipes, Workouts with Anel and Wellness Challenges. None of them have been consistent at all – and not only that, but you haven’t really addressed stopping them either besides the book club.
I’m not trying to be overly critical at all – if you don’t want to post that type of content, that’s totally up to you – it’s your site. But as a reader, just being honest that it is frustrating – and I think bloggers should be held accountability for things they say they are going to do, just like any other business. I hope you find that to be a constructive comment and hope it helps in any planning you are doing for 2020.
You know what? This couldn’t be more true and I want to thank you for bringing it up. I’m so sorry it’s been frustrating as a reader and I feel guilty about it every single day. One of my goals for 2020 is holding myself accountable for everything I promise on Lemon Stripes. It’s been a really weird year for me and I think I bit off more than I could chew, but I’m setting realistic goals with a realistic amount of series for next year. I totally understand your frustration though and it’s totally on me. I need to be better about that. This comment really does help my planning for next year and I really appreciate you bringing it up in a constructive way that helps me improve rather than tears me down.
My series next year will include this one, re-wear it (which I posted for the last 3 months and is coming back for December on 12/4!) and sustainability challenges in place of wellness challenges. I’ve also been posting weeknight recipes consistently but can’t commit to them more than once a month. As for Anel’s workouts, I addressed it and I feel bad about it but his business blew up this year and he is completely swamped and just didn’t have time for them. I’m hoping he’ll be able to do one more for 2020 though because they’re so great.
Thank you again and thanks for following along!
Hi Julia,
Everyone’s anxiety is different, but as a 60-year-old who has dealt with anxiety/depression (two sides of the same coin!) on-and-off since I was in my 20’s I wanted to share a few thoughts. The hardest time for me was when my daughter (she’s now 16 year old!) was young. If you are sensitive, caring, and somewhat of a perfectionist who wants to be a great mom, it can be a particularly hard time. You mentioned SSRI’s…they can be great, but if you’re having break-through anxiety the dose, or medication, may have to be adjusted. You might want to look into that. I also want to tell you it gets better as you age!- yes- there can be rough spots during the teen years, or if you lose a parent, or sometimes just during ordinary life transitions (it doesn’t have to be something catastrophic!), but you will be better. Know you are a normal woman, with a wonderful talent and gift for what you do, and all will be well. Try not to be too hard on yourself, keep up your “work” (the blog) and when your daughter goes to school full-time (or anytime!), get out of the house for work or play and be with people. Take a tennis clinic, or art class, etc. That’s the best advice! Being isolated in your house with a toddler is so, so hard. My heart goes out to you, I’ve been there, an so have millions of moms. You are not alone and you will make it!
Hey Julia! I hope your anxiety is better! These products look great; when I first saw highlighter I thought you meant the stationary. Sadly, my Mum doesn’t let me wear makeup as she says I don’t need it but I enjoy reading it anyway! My dad actually bought a diffuser for his study and he keeps saying it’s really good. Maybe, I should try one in my room too! Thanks for the help! Also, if your looking for books for your book club you should read His Dark Materials. You can find my review and comparison to it’s series on my blog! This month, I’m loving my nail file; I don’t know why I just think it makes my nails look better!