Dear Unpackers,
Welcome to JUNE! Happy Pride month.
Carrie and Emily here. We’ve been having TOO much fun thinking and writing together – scheming on post ideas, noticing themes that resonate with each of us, and getting to share our thoughts and theories with you!
We like to think of Unpacking as a class we’re taking in the school of life. And guess what, dear readers? It’s summmmmeerrrr! To that end, we’re going to take off the summer from Unpacking in pursuit of more Moments (™). We’ll be back in your inboxes in September.
Before we pause, here are five things we’ll be taking with us from Unpackingland and into the summer:
Building structures that can flex: A good routine provides comfort and stability; a plan for a big trip can give us some hope. Navigating these things in a pandemic era means having contingency plans and knowing the structure may give.
Keeping the Pandora’s Box shut: Resist the urge to turn things that can be small and accomplishable into a large, complicated task in the name of productivity. This makes more room for free time.
Feeling what you feel: A lot has happened in two years. We’re embracing this period of evolving and sometimes intense emotions – be it sadness over lost time, frustration about a stagnant governance system, gratitude for a good friend, grief and joy, all at once.
Claiming what you need: Morning dog walks, a good cup of coffee, a silly call with a friend, your favorite takeout order, a comfort TV show or book – we’re going to keep discovering what works for us to “turn off,” and then do it.
Owning your decisions: We really, really, really care about our decisions. We’re both going to keep making life decisions and embracing the consequences.
Readers, THANK YOU for hanging out with us. We’re especially grateful to the commenters and repliers, and the folks who shared Unpacking with a friend. You rock, thank you.
Water Cooler Convo
Emily: Carrie, looking for something to listen to next time you’re emptying the dishwasher? I recently binge-listened to the Sweet Bobby podcast, and it’s a must listen. A catfishing story with a twist!
Carrie: Just what I needed, thank you! May I recommend: Aoife O’Donovan’s new record?! Passengers is a perfect summer song.
Emily: Carrie, I actually bought two tomato plants for my backyard. I sort of cheated and bought plants that already had green tomatoes on them, but figured you wouldn’t hold that against me?
Carrie: Are you kidding? Very impressive! Can’t wait to hear what happens next: The Tomato Files, Fall 2022.
Emily: I’ll be over here in the meantime: NYT Cooking Summer Tomato Recipes.
Carrie: Hooray, hooray for summer reading season! I’m wrapping Ann Patchett’s These Precious Days and soon to start Jessi Klein’s I’ll Show Myself Out. You, ER?
Emily: I’m planning on starting Emily St. John Mandel’s Sea of Tranquility, which seems to be a popular one around here.
Emily: I’m going to miss writing with you this summer, CP!!! Whatever will I do?!
Carrie: We’ll always have Paris, Emily.
Emily: Ugh I’ll even miss your movie references.
Happy summer, friends. Take good care and we’ll catch you on the flip side.
Your pals,
Carrie & Emily