WHEW. Life has been hectic lately but I’m finally getting around to writing a blog post. I’ve been … let’s just say, stuck, for a while. Every time I sit down to write a blog post, I always end up just staring at a computer screen. I end up staring at the blinking cursor on my screen and I have no idea what to write next.

I think that’s the thing about creative slumps … we just need time to step away and enjoy life. Especially creatives, but literally anyone. I think anyone is a creative, no matter what field you work in, and when you’re in a slump, specifically a creative slump, time is what you need.

So, as life begins to slow down in the next few weeks, I have been thinking about new blog posts I want to write. I have a TON of new ideas in my new Notion template (which may actually be a blog post!) blog post ideas, and I’m excited to start writing some of those.

But let’s get into today’s blog post! I want to start writing weekly round-up posts, which basically include life lately, what I’ve been loving including watching on TV, reading, listening to on my podcast apps, and any other articles that I’m consuming. I used to do this, but I never stuck around with it. But alas — I am here and refreshed and ready to begin this new blog series!

What I’ve Been Reading:

Reading has been slow lately right after I finished a bunch of new books. I just moved apartments and in between getting settled, I haven’t had enough time to read.

HOWEVER, I just finished The Hotel Nantucket by Elin Hilderbrand (her new book that released this summer) and I LOVED it. I’ve read two other books by Elin Hilderbrand and loved both of them, so I was excited to pick up this beach read that has a mystery vibe to it. The book follows a hotel, the Hotel Nantucket, in which it’s getting “revitalized” by this wealthy businessman. The manager, Lilibet, is hired to run it and hires a staff that … may have some secrets of their own. Oh — and the hotel has a ghost. That happens to be one of the POVs. It quickly captured my interest and didn’t slow down (except for a few parts).

I’m also listening to Legendborn by Tracy Deonn and it’s really good so far! I wouldn’t recommend listening to a fantasy book on audiobook, just because there’s a lot of world-building and I’d prefer to read the world-building than listening to it. If that makes sense LOL. But I’m really liking the book so far! It’s a great fantasy YA to read after reading a big number of summer beach reads and romances.

I’m also listening to Love & Other Words by Christina Lauren and … it’s good. It’s not my favorite and tbh, Christina Lauren isn’t my favorite author (I know they’re an author duo.) I loved The Unhoneymooners, but wasn’t a fan of another book. Still, I am enjoying this childhood friends to lovers book that deals with flashbacks, grief, friendship, and love.

What I’ve Been Watching:

The Bachelorette! The new season is out and two episodes have aired already! I like watching this show, despite the criticism it gets for being cheesy or over-the-top. It’s something to watch and look forward to this week. I like this new season so far; although I’m not a fan of the two Bachelorette thing (why couldn’t they do two Bachelors??), I think the new season can bring enough drama and fun dates and attractive men to entertain me each week.

Gilmore Girls. I’ve started my re-watch of this show and I am addicted. There’s nothing more I can say … but let me tell you this: I think I’m more into Logan than my last re-watch. Don’t get me wrong, I love Jess and he will forever be my favorite, but the more I think about it, the more I think Rory should end up with Logan. I used to think Logan was just like Christopher, but honestly, I think Logan was more like Richard Gilmore (Yale man) and to compare Rory’s boyfriends to Lorelai’s boyfriends, to Luke. Luke brought stability for Lorelai, but also love, and Logan the same for Rory. Logan was adventurous, but he offered stability to her (marriage) and loved her. I’m still watching it and I’m only on season two so maybe in next week’s weekly round-up, I’ll have more thoughts, but something I’m mulling over.

Modern Family! This show makes me laugh out loud every single episode. I love this show so much and all of the characters in it. The comedy, the writing, the storylines, the plot … all of it. It’s a very good show to put on when you need a laugh. I love Cam and Phil — each one makes me laugh every time they’re in a scene.

Only Murders in the Building … because why not add another sitcom?! I love sitcoms (as you can tell in my round-up of sitcoms). I’ve been trying to keep up with this show each week. I just love this entire show and the stellar cast that makes up the three leads: Martin Short, Steve Martin, and Selena Gomez. This is such a stellar cast that I would have never put together, but I’m so glad someone did. I was wondering how they were going to follow up the previous season, since it was SO GOOD, but I’ve been intrigued each episode. The only thing I wasn’t interested in was Amy Schumer and Cara Delevingne making an appearance. The show is already so good, they don’t need guest stars.

What I’ve Been Listening To:

Bad on Paper Podcast. I’ve been loving their series on how a book gets made from the idea all the way to publishing. Their first episode (in this specific series) featured Iman Hariri-Kia and agent Taylor Haggerty on how a book gets made specifically book agents, how to find a book agent, and working with agents. Can’t wait to listen to more!

Gals on the Go. I love this podcast, specifically because it’s just a nice, lifestyle girl chat podcast. It feels like you’re just talking to friends, but on a podcast. It’s hosted by two YouTubers (lifestyle vloggers), Brooke Miccio and Danielle Carolan. Some of their recent episodes talk about their vacation in the Hamptons (one of my fav episodes) and “in our ____ era” episode. Definitely a must-listen if you follow influencers/YouTubers.

Soulcial Scoop by Your Soulcialmate. I found this new podcast via Austen Tosone’s Instagram stories and I just LOVED her episode all about Pinterest. I’ve become a huge Pinterest gal myself recently (always have been but more so recently), and especially as I create more for the blog, this podcast is helpful in growing a Pinterest account and creating more engaging pins and Idea Pins. Definitely worth a listen if you’re a content creator — she interviews guests on all sorts of topics: travel content creation, using LinkedIn as a content creator, working with brands, email marketing/newsletters, and all things Instagram.

That’s about it! I want to do these every Friday — these “coffee and chat” blog posts are the first ever blog posts I ever wrote back in college and I want to get back to writing them. I hope you enjoy them! Because I know I did. These are fun and less stressful to put together than a normal blog post.