love notes: April in review
Welcome to Love Notes, my monthly recap where I share my favourite posts, what I’ve learned, and the highs and lows of single life/life over 40! Woohoo!
Didn’t April feel like the longest month ever? I know I said that last month about March, but was it me, or did it feel as slow as molasses? And not totally in a negative way either. It just felt like April was a few months wrapped up into one month— a lot happened in such a short amount of time. I felt life shift on multiple levels, both personally and professionally, and, of course, emotionally (always, always emotionally for this Pisces rising). If this is any indication of what the rest of 2025 is going to be like (and I have a funny feeling it will be) I think sooooo many things are going to change at a rapid pace, and yet also feel like really, really slow at the same time. My only explanation is: integration and integrity.
We need the time to fully integrate these changes into our lives, bodies, souls, emotions…and also, we need the time to align with these changes, ensuring they are truly an example of who we are and what we want for ourselves in the highest, best possible way. Because I don’t think 2025 is playing around! I honestly think this year is for us to step into a more authentic way of being on both a micro and macro level. How we’re showing up in our daily lives versus how we show up and serve the world at large. It’s all very heady. Maybe too heady for Taurus season when this is the perfect time to stop and smell the roses, take a bubble bath, and seek pleasure wherever we can find it. But that’s May. Let’s talk about April!
💖 Favourite Post of the Month
Was this a controversial take on dating apps? Yep! But I meant every word of it, and it seems like it really connected with you! It was the most popular post of the month, and I’m glad! It was my favourite to write only because I love writing about stuff that gets me fired up LOL. AND I really don’t like seeing/reading people complain about their dating lives and how much they’re struggling with being on these apps. I know it can be tough out there (I truly do!) but I think a little (or a big) shift in perspective can make a huge difference when it comes to approaching dating apps, especially if we choose to de-center them as the only place to meet people, and possibly, also, de-centering dating. Because if it’s not making you feel fulfilled, then a) why do it? and b) maybe figure out what’s making it so awful for you? We all deserve to feel good about dating, and while it’s not always going to work out (which is just the nature of the beast) giving away our power to a tiny app doesn’t make sense to me. Remember: we control how we feel about ourselves and we also control how we choose to spend our time — and that includes being on dating apps.
💖 The moment in April that made me feel the most loved
I started baking this month. I really love cooking — not so much baking — but something about being in the kitchen makes me feel like me. I find it so therapeutic. Choosing a recipe, getting all the ingredients, creating something from my hands (yes, literally, from my hands because I don’t have a KitchenAid mixer, not even a hand mixer!), and eating something yummy that I did all by myself is so satisfying to me. Almost better than sex! Almost.
Anyway, cooking is one of my favourite things to do, and, admittedly, I haven’t done it in a while. I’ve been so preoccupied with finding work (struggles of a freelancer…which reminds me, if you need a writer, email me!) and making sure my novel is in tip top shape for submission that I got into a cooking rut (basically making the same three meals over and over), and I neglected the little things that make me feel good, like cooking and baking. My mom has been baking more than usual back in PEI, and I was inspired by her many mouthwatering photos she sent me. So this month I decided to bake a new thing every other week, and last weekend I finally cooked something I hadn’t tried before — a new vegetarian taco recipe! The tacos were delicious — the chocolate chip cookies and banana bread? Definitely edible and tasty, but I know I can improve! But oh well! Back to the kitchen I go!
So why did this make me feel loved? Because I knew taking the time to cook and bake was something my soul needed to feel good — to feel loved. And I was so happy that I did that for myself! So often we don’t take the time to nourish ourselves, especially if you’re single and/or live alone, and I think it’s so important to take that time and create something that we deserve to enjoy. And also we deserve to do things that make us feel happy! Even if it’s baking cookies! We’re worth it.
💖 A lesson in dating I’m carrying into May
Detachment. This has always been a toughie for me! Hello, anxious attachment! But honestly l’ve been feeling very secure lately in my life, including my dating life, and I love that for me. How did I get here? I think a lot of the healing work I’ve done over the last few years is paying off by me just integrating all of it into my daily and dating life. For instance, the guy I’m seeing is away for work until June. We can’t connect regularly and when we do, it’s only for a brief time. (There is a good reason for this, but I won’t share the details of his job!) And guess what? I’m totally okay with it. Not just because he really doesn’t have control over when he can text or call me, but because I’m good either way. I enjoy hearing from him, and I enjoy my life when I don’t. I’m not totally sure of the future between us — I mean, who ever is? — except that I know we will see each other when he gets back, and I’m totally okay with that too. It’s not that I don’t care about the connection. I do! But I care a lot about me and my peace of my mind too much to even worry about anything else. I know I am good no matter what happens, and I want to create a good life for myself, and so….I guess we’ll see! But that’s the priority for me — feeling good, and if that means feeling a little detached about everything, I’m grateful for that.
💖 Quote of the Month
“I don’t like hearing a guy pee!”
This made me laugh when my friend Victoria said this to me last night. Was it an earth shattering quote of the month? Maybe not. But it was relatable AF and funny too, and also one of those moments that we don’t ever really talk about it. Like, hearing a guy pee if you’re married/dating a man is…weird. Having him hear you pee is weird too! And don’t even get me started on pooping! It’s one of those little instances in life that we don’t think about when we’re dating someone, at least not in the beginning…but it’s a thing. Like, bathroom stuff is a thing! We don’t talk about it enough but getting used to other people’s noises — bodily functions and otherwise — is definitely an adjustment, and not always pleasant. I don’t like hearing a guy pee either! Something to look forward to, I guess…
💖 Photo Dump
It was my cat Olive’s fifth birthday this month! She’s my pandemic kitten, and it’s not an understatement that I would not have survived COVID without her. She’s my soul cat (even if she’s the spiciest feline in the world! Yes, I’m claiming that!).
So much for the money plant…I am taking this as a good omen…that maybe new things, more prosperity, is on the way?
The veggie tacos!
The chocolate banana bread!
Aren’t these the most gorgeous flowers ever? I love the colour pink! And pink flowers?! C’MON!
💖 Song of the Month
This isn’t a song, but a playlist that I absolutely adore! If you know me, you know I love the ‘90s, and this playlist takes me right back to high school. There was NO era like the 90s when it came to female musicians. I will die on that hill.
💖 Poll Time!
💖 What’s Next?
Well, last month I said I wanted to relax more and find more pleasure in the small things…and I think I did some of that. But I could’ve prioritized pleasure more! I could’ve romanticized my life more! So when it comes to May…I definitely want to do that. I want to lean heavy into the romance. May feels really pretty and flirty and romantic to me. I want to flirt with life more. Get pampered. Get my nails done. Get a Brazilian wax. Wear a pretty dress or something other than leggings and sweats (hello, Vancouver fashion). I want to cook and bake more. Listen to French music, and take my DuoLingo more seriously. I want to dance! I also want to socialize more — see friends, go to a coffee shop, go outside and flirt with the new energy that’s in the air. That sounds nice! I want to manifest something majorly creative in my life too! I want to get lost in another creative project! Maybe my second book?
What about you? Share with me in the comments your intentions for May! or tell me how was your April? Or both!
Thanks for being here!
Love, Brie xoxo
You’re a goddess