THE ROOT 9: 11.3

I found a new song in my Discover Weekly this week. Even though the song’s deeper meaning is more about a longing, desire, and patience in a relationship, one of the lines in it’s chorus made me think a bit more broadly:
“Running away is easy // It's the leaving that's hard.”

We often mistake the ease of running away for the true act of leaving. Whether it's a relationship, a difficult emotion, or an uncomfortable situation, the act of "running away" provides a semblance of immediate relief from discomfort, anxiety, or pain. It's a natural human tendency to avoid what feels unpleasant. However, this avoidance often prevents the necessary "leaving" – the thorough processing, understanding, and eventual release that allows us to move forward in a healthy and sustainable way.

Running is a reflex, while truly leaving requires conscious navigation. Consider where in your life you might be choosing the fleeting comfort of running, and what it would mean to truly leave, not to avoid, but to fully understand and move forward.

Get Your Hands Dirty

This past week, I had the pleasure of participating in our annual Community Day, a time dedicated to giving back. While I initially hoped to join my colleagues at a chosen organization, scheduling conflicts led me to explore an opportunity aligned with my own passions. Although I missed the chance to connect with familiar faces, this unexpected turn presented a welcome opportunity to step outside my comfort zone. I found myself connecting with new volunteers and fully immersing myself in a day of service as a fresh face within an organization many others had long supported.

I chose to volunteer with the Sutro Stewards, spending the morning removing invasive species as part of their habitat restoration efforts. It was a truly enjoyable experience, and I'm already looking forward to returning on Saturdays in my own time. The Sutro Stewards community warmly welcomed me, patiently teaching me the ropes of using tools like picks, rakes and the process of laying mulch. My favorite way to welcome the weekend is by witnessing the sunrise from a trail, and it felt deeply grounding to give back to the natural environment that so consistently rejuvenates me.

If you also find solace and energy in the outdoors, my "Fun" activity for this week is encouraging you to consider how you might give back to these vital spaces.

My time with the Sutro Stewards not only benefited the environment but also allowed me to connect with others who share a mutual love for the outdoors, and I sincerely hope this inspires you to explore similar opportunities in your own community.

Sharing some photos with you 🙂

Urban Cowboy Is Here To Stay

I’m sorry - I frankly am unbothered by the fact that Stagecoach has been over for almost two weekends. I’m fully bought in to Urban Cowboy lasting as a trend through the end of the year and the quintessential piece that makes an Urban Cowboy aesthetic work is a killer Cowboy Boot. They’re perfectly transitional for spring, super cool to layer onto a summer outfit over a sandal, and great to transition into a fall. A worthwhile investment piece, if you will.

I picked up a thrifted pair of Steve Madden Western Boots over the past weekend, and I’m obsessed. These ones are a bit different than the other two pairs I have (lol) mostly because they have: 1) a fabulously high heel; 2) a unique tooled leather design; 3) a square toe unlike my other pairs; 4) are narrower and snug the ankle perfectly.

Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find them online, but the below options are equally neat:

Night out at a bar…a day stroll bopping around shops and exploring…even wearing them to the office for something comfier than a heel yet still chic? I’m sold (clearly, I own 3 pairs now).

Some outfit inspo below 🙂