Summer usually feels like any other time of year. Hotter, yes. But since I graduated from school, summer has been just another season for working at an office job.
However, this summer was a little different. That’s an understatement. This summer was life changing—I welcomed a sweet, wonderful baby. My second kid since 2020, which feels hard to believe since it’s almost like time has stood still since then. I’m now navigating my way through pandemic parenthood 2.0. Thankfully we have vaccines and understand how to mitigate Covid-19 exposure. (Remember wiping down groceries and scrambling to find toilet paper in mid-2020? That was not great with an infant.) It’s by no means a normal world, but I’ve carved out my own normalcy full of stroller walks and al fresco dining.
I don’t usually get personal in this space. But I figured I’d share a glimpse of my happenings during the summer of 2022. —Emma
Joining YouTube
I’ve always been a writer/editor first and foremost. But in the digital age it is also essential to know the basics of photography, graphic design, and videography. The latter cannot be understated—Instagram caused a stir in July 2022 with its planned algorithm change to prioritize video content. Although the company backtracked, let’s face it, TikTok’s success has ushered in a new video era. With that in mind, I started a YouTube channel this summer. I’m excited to practice some new skills and find new storytelling techniques in that visual medium.
Drinking More Water
Why is this so obvious but it can feel so daunting?! Pandemic parenthood has reinforced the importance of staying hydrated. This can be a challenge amid the hustle and bustle of caring for a baby. Many days I rarely have time for a proper meal—much less doing a photo shoot of a meal—but a bottle or water is always by my side. (Or sometimes a glass of coconut water, an iced honey matcha latte, or a decaf dirty chai latte. I’ve become quite the homemade drink expert during my pandemic parenthood era.) Bottomline is that I’m trying to drink more water.
Eating Less Meat
Although I didn’t have major pregnancy cravings or aversions, I found myself eating less meat over the past year. That habit has stuck. Nowadays I find myself choosing plant-based options or fish several days a week. Research has long suggested that reducing meat consumption has health benefits. Moreover, it aligns with my growing interest in more sustainable consumption.
Welcoming Pandemic Parenthood 2.0
Last but certainly not least, my top summer priority was adapting to life as a parent of two. The baby is healthy and happy, and my toddler has been a total champ from the moment we came home from the hospital. If pandemic parenthood has taught me anything, it is how resilient kids can be and how resilient I can be, too. Rather than losing my identity amid parenthood, I feel like I’ve gained clarity on what really matters to me.
