It’s A Really Heavy, Hard Time To Be Alive
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Deep Breathing Before I Check The News
The world is so painful. I know I’m not the only person who has to do deep breathing just to listen to NPR or check Twitter. The news is horrible — so upsetting, so discouraging. The death toll of Hurricane Otis in Acapulco is 39 and rising. The death toll from the war in Sudan exceeds 9000. The death toll in Gaza continues to rise, with only a tiny trickle of aid being allowed in. Anxiety for Israeli hostage families. Antisemitism and Islamophobia both on the rise in US and Europe. A mass shooting in Maine — 18 people killed, 13 injured, and yes, the white shooter had a history of domestic violence.
We top off those awful headlines with another type of heartbreaking news — the unexpected death of Matthew Perry at age 54, an actor who meant so much to so many people.
And then, while our brains our trying to comprehend some measure of pain and loss, we pull out the sewing machine and hot glue gun and face paint to help our kids have a “normal” Halloween.
It’s a really heavy, hard time to be alive.
People are angry and grumpy and sad (with good reason), and needing a place to vent. I’m one of those venting outlets — my inbox and DMs this week are overflowing with a lot people yelling at me. They let me know that I’m not writing about what they think I should be writing about politically, or I’m writing about the right topic, but I’m saying the wrong things, or I’m not posting enough renovation content, or I’m doing the renovation wrong, or they want to tell me they think the title of my book is disgusting, or just quick a message to let me know that they think I’m unkind.
I truly understand that 90% of the time the messages aren’t really about me, and it’s someone just having a particularly bad day. And mostly I manage the emotional burden of these types of messages pretty well. But, when it piles up on hard weeks it does make me more hesitant to create or write or share my life. So if you see me putting less stuff out into the world on a given day, please know that might be why.
Anyway. I’m thinking of you. I hope you’re finding bits and pieces of joy in the middle of all this hard news. Sending you so much love.
And now for a complete change of subject…
Free 10-Minute Meetings With Me to Answer Your Alt Summit Questions
Alt Summit ticket prices jump on December 1st. That’s just over a month away, and I’ve set a goal to be sold out by then. Space is limited and I know the conference will sell out (it has sold out every year since we’ve been in Palm Springs!), and I’d like to be sold out sooner than later. Why? My team can plan better for attendees when our attendee list is already filled up — I’ve seen this play out in past years: the sooner we’ve sold out, the more opportunities for attendees. So, planning to attend but haven’t bought your ticket yet? Register here.
To reach my goal of selling out before the ticket price jump, I’ve opened up my calendar for FREE 10-minute meetings to answer your questions about Alt Summit. These one-on-one meetings are for people who have never been to Alt Summit, and are thinking about buying a ticket, but have a few questions first. Is that you? Go ahead and book a free 10-minute meeting with me, and let me convince you that you’ll fit right in, and gain so much from attending Alt Summit.
The current ticket price is $745. This is a great value — comparable business conferences charge $2500 or more, and they don’t offer near the engagement, learning, and networking experience that attendees find at Alt Summit. But if that price is out of reach (I get it, I promise), you can also apply for a partial scholarship to get a discounted rate.
Come to Alt Summit and enjoy gorgeous sunny days in iconic Palm Springs at the end of a long winter. You’ll meet smart and creative peers, get complimentary headshots, speak one-on-one with experts, choose gorgeous gifts from sponsors, and connect with potential brand partners. The schedule is packed with valuable workshops, classes, meet-ups, parties, and so many brilliant ideas. Just the Headshots and Gifting Party are worth over $1000, so your ticket price is an incredible value.
Book your free 10-minute meeting with me and let’s get you registered!
(I wish I had endless hours to offer these free meetings, but alas, I do not, so if you’re not thinking about buying a ticket and just want to chat with me, please save these 10-minute meeting spots for others.)
Lately on Design Mom
Three Fabulous No-Prep Menus!
These menus make for the easiest entertaining. You’ll be having people over — even at the last minute — with no stress at all.
Easy 30 Minute Fajita Bowls
Bowls means everyone gets to choose just what they like.
Ideas For Dealing With All That Candy
Plus ten great Halloween books — light some candles, and snuggle up with the kiddos to read some sweet-and-slightly-spooky stories.
That’s all for now. I hope you are having a gorgeous fall weekend. Feel free to comment on anything I mentioned above, or whatever’s on your mind.
kisses,
Gabrielle
Just need to jump on here to add my 2 cents to I'm sure the majority of your viewers/listeners/readders. Gabrielle, you are a gem of a person in all the ways. You mean so much to so many of us. I bring up your name to my friends all the time in personal conversations .. sometimes I call you Gabrielle Blair, sometimes Design Mom. I tell them about you and what an amazing Mom you are, designer, writer, thinker . Sometimes, fairly often, I re-post you on my Facebook page. People I know who didn't know you, know you now. Some of them started following you, have told me how wonderful they think you are too. It sucks so bad that people often aim their frustration and anger at the wrong person or people. Yes, it's a terrible time in history right now. I'm beyond filled with grief and fear and a little anger too. But not with you. You are a beacon of good energy, hope, creativity, and yes, calling out bad ideas like guns in the homes, racism, sexism, etc. I'm forever grateful to you, and totally understand if you need a little time out, or whatever you need to protect yourself from unskillful and unkind people. I just want you to know, along with the others, that you have added a lot to my life, and are deeply appreciated. Much love, Gayle
Thank you for all you do. Please know you are deeply appreciated.