Unrushed: A Lesson I Learned from My Daughter

The other day, I found myself reminiscing about my younger days. People used to say I was always rushing…always in motion, always on the go. I worked in Midtown Manhattan back then, and every morning I’d race to catch the express bus into the city. My pace was fast, focused, and determined. Even in the evenings, I’d walk home with the same urgency, as if slowing down wasn’t an option. That was me: always in a rush. Looking back now, I laugh. My daughter, on the other hand—God bless her—has always been the opposite. Even as a child, she would pause to admire the smallest things in nature. A flower on the sidewalk, the pattern of tree bark, a flicker of light through the leaves,…she saw beauty where I only saw time passing. She’s an artist, after all. It’s part of her makeup. She went to a specialized art high school and was part of an advanced youth arts program. These days, she’s made a pivot into tech, but that careful eye—her ability to observe and capture—is still very much a part of her. These days, she’s made a pivot into tech, but that careful eye…her ability to observe and capture…is still very much a part of her. And now, many-something years later…and after a career that included over two decades of teaching…I’ve slowed down too. I’ve slowed down too. Not just because I have to, due to mobility issues, but because I’ve finally learned the value of slowing down. I’ve learned to notice. To appreciate. To really see. Now I pause to watch the full moon glow on a clear night, and I understand what she was seeing all along. Thanks, A.

🌿 Inspired by this reflection?

Discover the Rest Culture™ Collection -where slowing down becomes wearable.

🛒 Shop at YoursNotably.com and our tees and more at our Printful Rest Culture Shop 

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Stillness Is a Boundary Too

Wearing the message.
These designs from the Rest Culture Collection are gentle reminders to pause, protect your peace, and move at your own pace.

 Last week, I wrote Returning to Roots: Nourishment, Regret & Renewal, a piece born out of memory and longing. I spoke of homemade turmeric, ginger, and garlic teas passed down through love and tradition. I spoke of quiet afternoons in the Edible Garden with my daughter, preparing meals that took hours instead of ten minutes and a tap. I wrote about slowing down.

This week, I find myself circling back to that same truth but from a different entry point: the word no.

No is not harsh. No is not unkind.
No is a full sentence, and sometimes, it’s your first line of defense against burnout.

In a world that asks for more, applauds more, and often expects more than you can safely give...protecting your peace isn’t just a good idea. It’s wellness. It’s worth. It’s choosing yourself.

I’m learning slowly that boundaries aren’t bricks meant to keep others out. They’re roots meant to keep you grounded. They’re how we honor what we need, so we can show up whole.

The same way those warm healing teas used to nurture my body, saying no now nurtures my mind. The same way a meal made by hand once reminded me that time was worth taking, choosing rest over rush reminds me that I’m worth protecting.

If you need a tangible reminder to slow down...something gentle, visual, wearable.  I invite you to explore the Rest Culture Collection over at YoursNotably on Amazon Marketplace and at our Etsy Marketplace. It’s not just merchandise. It’s a message: Rest is not weakness. Stillness is strength.

More soon,
Adrianne

Introducing Our Rest Culture™ Magnetic Line: Pinbacks And Magnet Notes for Everyday Clarity

 

🧲 Introducing Our Rest Culture™ Magnetic Line: Pinbacks and Magnet Notes for Everyday Clarity

At YoursNotably, we believe that strength starts with stillness and now, we’re bringing that reminder right to your fridge, whiteboard, locker, or desk with our new Rest Culture™ magnetic line. This thoughtfully curated collection features two powerful formats:

• 💬 Pinback Buttons – Designed to be worn or displayed, each 1.25" button carries a quiet but firm message. These aren't just accessories...they're wearable boundaries.
• 🧲 Magnet Strip Notes – Slim and subtle, our 
  
  
  magnetic strips are made to anchor your thoughts throughout the day. Stick them where you'll see them most and let their presence guide your pace.

Why Rest Culture?

Our Rest Culture™ collection is grounded in the belief that rest isn’t laziness...it’s necessary. These small pieces were created for moments when you need visual clarity and emotional grounding. Whether you’re resetting after burnout or reinforcing daily self-respect, our magnetic line delivers encouragement that sticks.

Both pieces come packaged on cardstock, ready for gifting or keeping close as a reminder to pause and protect your peace.

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New items drop weekly in our Rest Culture™ Collection.
Explore the latest at YoursNotably.com

📦 Follow us on Instagram for previews, process videos, and moments of gentle motivation.

Returning to Roots: Nourishment, Regret & Renewal

     

When I was a little girl, a family friend would lovingly prepare healing teas for me whenever I wasn’t feeling well. I can still remember the warmth of the cup in my hands…fragrant with turmeric, garlic, and ginger. These homemade concoctions weren’t just comfort, they were care, tradition, and wisdom passed through generations.

     As I got older, I began incorporating those same spices into my everyday meals. Then, when my daughter was young, we embraced that lifestyle even more. She participated in camping programs through the Children’s Garden at the New York Botanical Garden, where the theme was often “edible gardens.” We truly immersed ourselves in that culture of eating resourcefully, mindfully, and with joy.

     But life, as it tends to do, grew more complicated. High school and college schedules, jobs, travel, and everyday demands took center stage. And as the world shifted into the age of convenience…Instacart deliveries, UberEats drop-offs, and drive-thru everything…it became harder to hold on to the slower, more intentional rhythms we once cherished.

     Now, in this season of chronic illness and recent retirement, I look back with a mix of fondness and a quiet sense of regret. Not just for myself, but for not sustaining that way of living for my two now young adult children.

     Still, I believe this with my whole heart: it’s never too late. We can return to what once nourished us. It may look different. It may be smaller or simpler. But the spirit of it, the care, the grounding, the healing...can be rekindled in meaningful ways.

🌼 Do you have a recipe, spice blend, or go to tea that helps fuel your body and spirit?

Share it with us in the comments... et’s rediscover the goodness together.

🦖 ROAR Into the Weekend – Feel-Good Dino Finds Ahead

There’s no better way to kick off the weekend than with a little roar...because let’s be honest, some days we whisper, and some days… we show up fierce. 🦕

Our Dinosaur Collection is all about that feel good energy with playful charm bracelets, pinbacks, and accessories that remind you (and everyone else) that quiet strength and bold confidence both matter.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself, your teen, or a dino-loving friend, this collection brings the fun. From our adjustable ROAR paracord bracelet with a dino charm to retro-inspired badge designs you can stick on tumblers, totes, or tees.  We’ve got something for every kind of roar.

Hey you have a favorite dinosaur?

Mine’s the Stegosaurus. 🦕

But our T. rex pinback? Total classic. Add it to your tote or jacket and carry your roar with you.

Shop us at our Amazon Marketplace at:  

https://amzn.to/4lL73K7

Our Etsy Collection at 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/YoursNotably?ref=shop_sugg_market&section_id=54760607

Our CircularWonders’ Print On Demand Merch on Printful at:  

https://circularwonders.printful.me/

Why Diversifying Our Pathways Matters: Even in Everyday Life

 

We’ve all heard financial experts talk about the importance of diversifying our investment portfolios. But the truth is, diversification doesn’t stop with money. It’s just as essential in business, creative life, and our everyday routines.

As creators and artisans, many of us lean heavily on one favorite platform to showcase our work. Maybe it’s where we first found success or built a community. But over time, we’ve seen the cracks…platforms shut down, policies change overnight, accounts get banned or restricted without warning. It's unsettling, especially if your creative livelihood is tied to just one place.

That’s why diversifying where and how you market yourself is not just wise, it’s protective. Spread your work across several platforms, yes…but also invest in a home base you own, like a personal website or blog. This is your anchor. Unlike marketplaces that can shift their rules, your home site reflects your values and vision without being marginalized or silenced.

But the importance of diversification doesn’t end with business. It touches every part of our lives.

As the parent of a neurodiverse son and as someone living with chronic illness myself, I’ve learned this firsthand. It’s easy (and sometimes comforting) to stick to routines and familiar paths. But when life forces a detour, when plans change or obstacles appear, it’s how we adapt that defines our strength.

Due to chronic illness, I can no longer walk a block without discomfort. I haven’t yet purchased my electric mobility device, so I knew that walking to see the fireworks in my neighborhood would be too much. The crowds, the distance, my non-electric walker, it just wasn’t going to work.

But I didn’t give up. I found a spot farther away, away from the crowd, and I simply enjoyed the moment. That’s what I mean when I say different strategies to reach a destination are tools we all need in our mindset. Staying stagnant or giving up would’ve meant missing the joy entirely.

 Personal reflection, July 2025

Diversification isn’t failure. It’s not about giving up on the original plan.

It’s about building multiple ways to move forward.

In business, in relationships, in life, it’s a mindset. A strength. A tool.

And yes, an asset.

Rest Culture: Pause And Chills: Celebrating the Little Things

As we head into a long holiday weekend and for some of us, it may not feel all that long.  I hope you’ll find a moment to simply pause and chill.

The other day, my son, sister, and I set aside time to do just that. We didn’t go on a spectacular cruise or plan anything elaborate, we just made time to sit together and enjoy some ice cream. The taste was sweet, but the company was even sweeter.

Pausing and chilling doesn’t require anything grand. Sometimes the most meaningful moments are found in the everyday.

I live with a chronic illness that limits my mobility, especially during flare-ups. On days when walking becomes too painful, I find comfort in small joys: crafting, illustration, travel shows, writing, puzzles… and sometimes just sitting quietly…on my walker, or even in the car.

Finding solace in simple pleasures matters.

And you deserve that kind of peace, too.

How do you like to pause and chill?

Feel free to share your thoughts here. I’d love to hear how you create moments of calm in your day.

(Please note: This area is moderated and comments are open, but responses may take time. I’ve limited commenting on Instagram due to the challenge of monitoring, but this space is always here for thoughtful connection.)