Life Lately: July/August 2025
I am realising I need to take more personal photos. Not just for Instagram stories or because it’s my job, but because I want to remember.
Winter has been challenging. I’m feeling the chill deep in my bones.
Winter has never been my forte. I know some of you thrive in it, revel in the sports and busyness that comes with frigid climes, but it was never in my nature. I always evaded the cold; I only really saw my first snowfall and explored skiing two winters ago.
I think my therapist is trying to help me understand that with the engagements, weddings, house buying and babies in abundance, all the frivolities of life don’t equate to happiness or fulfilment. Regardless of my situation, I can find purpose emerging from within.
Spring is near. I honestly can’t wait for warmth. I feel like my zest for life comes with the seasons, and yet, I am also learning the beauty of winter. With difficulty, with a lot of low moments. In therapy recently, we spoke about balance. About what is means to teeter gracefully between the edges of rest and activity. To rest when it is needed, and to pour out myself with effort when there is the desire and softness. Rather than a SHOULD, do it when it’s a WANT. Bubbling out of you. HONOURING it. Intentionality within the actions. I believe that there is something emerging.
This season - how it feels like I’m in a cocoon, akin to winter roots growing - we always learn from them. This one feels like there’s something that wants to come forth, we just don’t know it yet.
I’ve also been simmering on the idea of fulfilment. I have a deep sense of desire for meaning and purpose at the moment and my work isn’t meeting that need. But then, busyness and money and abundance doesn’t equate to purpose anyway. You’ll be just that: busy. I’m learning that there can be fulfilment in the stillness, too. In my knitting, my pottery, my reemergence in loving yoga and bouldering. I’m good at being busy with a flurry of activities, but actually, maybe this is a season of learning that there is depth in the stillness too. My purpose isn’t based on my productivity. Fulfilment in these small, still spaces. Learning that these moments can also be sustaining for me.
So maybe, it’s a gift. To be learning to rest. To be still and simply know. My mind says: you’re not doing enough. But actually, maybe I am enough. There’s an opportunity here.
MOVEMENT
The injury is getting better, but it still flares up. So I’ve made the decision to leave Cadence and focus on my healing for a while.
Slowly coming back to my love for yoga…
Loving Kirsty’s Flow + Alice’s Shake the Dust classes at Basecamp Yoga
Amy’s classes at SALA and Basecamp Yoga are amazing!
Finally have returned to bouldering! The bursitis in both shoulders can be a pain (literally), but we’re taking it easy. Simple climbs (with a bit of challenge) for now.
RECOVERY
Contrast therapy at HANA — always.
I tried a session at The Healing Room, specifically their R&R package and it was magnificent. Magical singing bowls whilst getting a gua sha facial, followed by Reiki. Use code PATTY20 to receive 20% off.
I need to go back and see Simone at Leaton Performance in Grafton for all my aches and pains lol.
TV
The past few months, we have annihilated a few great shows. I got a subscription to Apple TV lol.
Shogun - slow pace but gripping nonetheless.
Peripheral - gutted that they didn’t continue producing this show because it was AMAZING.
Raised by Wolves - again, we’ll never find out what happens because they’ve cancelled it, but wow, sci-fi has never been more alluring than this.
Silo - dystopian, thought-provoking. Edge of my seat. Impeccable acting.
Foundation - currently still releasing episodes every week and I LOVE IT SO MUCH.
Chief of War - So much butt. Yay New Zealand west coast shots! Finding it incredible.
Slow Horses - currently eating up these episodes! I love a crime show. Not to mention, one of the lead characters’ names is River. Also, Gary Oldman is my fave.
3 Body Problem
Wednesday Season 2
Any other shows I should add to my list? I hear Black Doves is a goodie.
Movies
The Return
LISTENING
I’ve been focusing on playlists I can chuck in the background while I edit and write. Here are some current faves:
The Healing Room’s Ether playlist
As always: Nicky’s Chroma playlist is everything
Also, big fan of June aka Sundrop Garden. New song coming out today!
PODCASTS:
I haven’t been inclined to listen to anything as of late. Leaning more towards music recently. Let me know if there’s anything you’ve loved lately?
READING
Winter means a lot more time for reading, and those sneaky late nights, oops.
(Say hi on Goodreads.)
Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller (big fan of Circe, too)
Dramione: The Eagle’s Nest
No Hard Feelings by Genevieve Novak
Currently reading: Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig (I thoroughly enjoyed The Midnight Library) and Fearless (part of the Powerless series).
SKINCARE
I’m all about Antipodes!
Recently trying their Lime Caviar + the newest addition: Ceramide Souffle
Use my (affiliate) code PATTY20 for 20% off!!!
I gave in an got teh RAAIE retinal woop!
OBSESSED WITH
Knitting: I visited Loopine in Parnell and Prosper Yarn in Ponsonby and I am absolutely swooning over everything that I’m learning at the moment.
Anna-lise gave me a pattern for a cardigan and I have finally started! So nervous…
RESTAURANT
We have been on heavy saving mode, so eating out has been sporadic and always a well-deserved treat.
Candela’s last service :(
Discovered Blue on Franklin Road, Ponsonby and I cannot wait to come back for their dinner menu.
Went back to Pici and obviously had the cacio e pepe (and more).
Troy surprised me to a dinner date at Apero where Bare Wine were doing a takeover! The best wine (as per) and my love for saucisson has been reignited.
Took myself out on a solo dinner date at Beau.
Celebrated Becky’s birthday at Gemmi.
FOOD HACK
Drink Daeli electrolytes have been a life saver. Use code PATTYL15 to get your discount!
Uncle Roy’s in Ponsonby apparently have $3.50 flat whites — absolute steal in comparison to all the $7 coffees we’ve been subject to lately.
PATTY Y PAN
Nothing to report on the bread front, sadly. I miss Mibo pistachio croissants.
PATTERY
Slowly but surely, I’ve been creating some standard cups, and maybe I’ll be inclined to create some more mugs. Hopefully read for Christmas?
I’ve also been loving teaching some friends on how to make cups! Get in touch if you’d like a little private session.
BREWING
Ozone’s Nicaragua Limoncillo
Society Coffee
Allpress ART
COOKING
We had to pause WOOP (30% discount code here) due to budget, but I’d jump on it again if I could.
Troy loves his red meat so we’ve been trying to cook steak with roast veggies or rice and broccoli. Gotta get the protein.
WINE
Nowhere else but Bare Wine on Brown St in Ponsonby.
APPS / GAMES
Yes, I’m still obsessed with my little phone games.
Travel Town and Township are going strong.
Still going strong with my streak on Duolingo. Please join the cult. Por favor.
FINCH. It’s a to-do list but also a tamagochi — come and join my little friend circle! Friend code: 5Z2H32364Y
I’m not sure what spring will bring, but I am ready. More warmth, more sunshine, more connecting deeply with my friends and community. I know I need to put more energy on work and creating momentum. Equally, I will listen to what wants to emerge. The blossoming will happen in its own time. I crave for something to look forward to (hopefully back to the Gold Coast and Melbourne, and maybe the Philippines too), but maybe, I can simply enjoy the present and take it one day at a time.
Lots of love and light to you,
P xx