Check the entire “5 things that bring me joy this week” weekly series here.

Life has been slipping away from me recently, after a vacation where I allowed myself the joy of “doing nothing”, other than enjoying it. Have things gotten a bit chaotic afterward? Yes. Do I regret taking that time? No, because the act of giving ourselves a break is crucial for our wellbeing, especially when it is physically and mentally needed. I’ll get back on track, but I may not have those vacation experiences again, or, at the very least, anytime soon. I’m trying to lean into life as it comes, and remember that what we’re living at any moment, good or bad, does not last forever. Trust the journey!

With that said, I’m continuing my weekly series of 5 things that bring me joy this week with some fun things I’ve read and seen around the web, a dress I can’t get enough of (it’s so comfortable and pretty!), and something that, so far, I’m taking as a blessing in disguise. If you follow my IG stories, you might have gotten a hint at what it is, and, inevitably I will share more in the near future as we figure things out…

Here are this week’s joys:

• OK, this is a strange one… I wouldn’t say that the idea of the article brings me joy, however, I enjoyed this opinion that depicts perfectly why I despise Florida summers. Feelings that I shared in this post (and this post) after we had some time getting familiar with this season which lasts well over 6 months here. It’s not a joke — Florida summers are pure misery. Anyway, I guess you can say that having someone else “validate” my feelings towards summers here brings me joy.

• This article hit close to home, and brought me immense joy — adding it to this list in hopes that it does the same for you: Cat Is So Obsessed With Frog Toy Her Family Decides To Get Her All Of Them.

• This dress I’m wearing brings me joy, seriously! I can’t get enough of it! And it comes in several colorways!

• My houseplants blooming! While we were gone, my peace lily, an orchid, and a flamingo flower plant (anthurium) decided to bloom 😍.

• And finally, life not going according to plan sometimes (sometimes being the keyword) — there is joy in that, just trust the journey!

What’s bringing you joy this week?