This week felt like switching from a gentle jog to a full-on sprint. After working 75% from January through August, I’m officially back to a 40-hour schedule. And because the universe loves timing, it coincided with back-to-school season. That meant inboxes overflowing, last-minute requests, and days that seemed to start and end in the same breath. I’m rebuilding my routine: earlier alarms, quicker lunches, and a firm promise to myself to pause for a few deep breaths when the pace gets frantic.

In the middle of all that chaos, we had the sweetest milestone: my son took his very first independent steps! At almost 17 months, he decided it was time—maybe a tiny bit “lazy” with milestones in general (we say it with love 😄), but when he finally went for it, he really went for it. Now we’re basically doing daily cardio, chasing him from room to room. We’ve stepped up the baby-proofing, cleared new “race tracks,” and learned that silence usually means he’s plotting his next adventure. It’s exhausting in the best way.

Whenever I catch a sliver of downtime, I’ve been completely wrapped up in Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar. It’s become my little pocket of calm after long days—watering crops, chatting with villagers, and getting lost in simple, cozy goals. I love how it helps me unwind: no pressure, just gentle progress and the satisfying rhythm of routines. It’s amazing how a few quiet minutes of gameplay can reset a stressed brain.

On a more personal note, I’ve been missing time with friends. I’d love to plan a coffee, a walk, anything really, but most of the people I used to hang out with don’t live nearby anymore—and some don’t quite understand that spontaneity isn’t always possible with a child. I can’t just drop everything and go. It stings sometimes, but I’m learning to make peace with this new season: to be intentional about the friendships that remain, to celebrate the ones that are steady from a distance, and to stay open to new connections that fit this phase of life.

So that’s the week: busy, beautiful, and a little overwhelming. I’m adjusting to full-time work again, cheering on tiny wobbly steps that feel like giant leaps, sneaking in a bit of cozy farming sim therapy, and trying to build a new balance that actually works for us. If you’ve been through a similar shift—parenthood, routine changes, or finding your people again—I’d love to hear how you navigated it.

Before I end my News I wanted to let you know that you can now find here some cyberstamps - you can grab them and display them on your website. For the start I brought some from Banana Fish! but you can always tell me your wishes :3

Read you soon!
Nia ♠