Curated and considered May recommendations
The most important agreements you’ll ever make, radical self-love and slow dreamy travel inspiration
Hello you
May was the month I committed to self-love, to not only truly understanding the concept but learn how to practice on a daily basis and keep showing up. No matter what. I thought I knew a lot about self-love, but I’ve realised my education is not only just beginning - it will never end. Pinned on my vision board for this year, my year of flow; are the words ‘self-love is the highest frequency that attracts everything you desire’ and although it’s taken 5 months of looking at those words each day, they’ve only just sunk in. Our unfolding takes time, there’s no rush.
These are the things that added value this month. I hope there’s a little something lovely in here for everyone…
Tender is the night is my first Fitzgerald novel and I found myself returning to it day after day as a literary escape. It’s a story about love, loss, beauty and fragility set in France during the 1920s. Beneath the romanticism is a thread of racial prejudice and class elitism that’s hard to ignore and it made me reflect on how often we’ve romanticised stories and eras that were built on exclusion and injustice.
How to be the love you seek is a book I felt drawn to last year but winced at the title. I devoured it in a weekend this month and learnt so much, mainly about my nervous system which I never realised was the foundation of my ability to love in a healthy way; both myself and others.
The four agreements was a quick and easy listen that I enjoyed a lot. I found myself making extensive notes and nodding along the whole way through. It’s a more woo woo and spiritual approach to self-love than be the love you seek but if that’s your thing, I know you’ll love it.
How to find the right words is a great little read for fellow people pleasers who struggle to communicate in a heartfelt way with boundaries. The concept is so simple but impactful as well as practical.
Mirror meditation was a really interesting read, especially in terms of neuroscience research around how mirror work can help us with self-acceptance and love. I’ve started to integrate mirror work into my self-love practice as a result and although it’s confronting, it’s also comforting.
Erotic decisions was a fascinating and gripping read by Tamara about our drive for life and what’s worth surrendering to. I think you’ll love her entire substack to be honest.
Niomi Smart’s ego death substack essay is one I related to very much about the realities of not so great times in our lives that turn out to lead us into the light.
This instagram post on writing habits of the greats went straight into my saves.
I’ve been diving into astrocartography recently and this map has been fascinating to explore in terms of the different energies at play for me in different locations across the world. You’ll need your birth date, time and location for full accuracy.
This French riviera summer vibes playlist has been filling my ears and prepping my mood for summer which is surely on the way soon. It’s a great background listen for time spent at home with the windows flung open, in the garden or even a sunlit wander.
Simply slow traveler on YouTube is a happy new discovery. I love her instagram account but longer content is even more dreamy and immersive. Sonia’s life in France video was so inspiring to watch.
This how to not lose yourself while helping others video was a clear, simple and cementing watch. A must for fellow people pleasers. I love how poetically the importance of loving yourself first is explained.
Lip blushing is something I started a couple of years ago, was told not to do again by a doctor …but… I love it. I had my top up recently and I’m so pleased with the results. I love waking up in the morning and feeling a little more done so there’s less need for makeup. I can still wear lipstick over the top but the rose colour I had this time feels like more than enough.
Baume de rose has been on my to try list for years, but I could never justify the cost for a lip balm. It felt too excessive. Combined with lip blushing however, it’s the perfect shade of rose and amount of shine. This is all I’m wearing on my lips right now.
Ulike update - I’ve been really impressed with the Ulike Air 3 for at home laser hair removal, more so on my legs than underarms, which are still a little patchy, but I think I just need more time with it. The less I have to shave and maintain my beauty routines in general is always a plus for me. If I was choosing again, I’d maybe choose the Ulike Air 10 instead which is bigger and more powerful with faster results so you can use it even less.
Aime vitamins update. Three months of taking the Aime hair & scalp boost vitamins and I’ve noticed a definite increase in thickness of my hair from the root. I’m also noticing my parting doesn’t look so prominent in photos and I have new growth around my hairline. As such, I’ve restocked and will carry on taking them.
I’ve talked about Calzedonia socks before but these no show slip socks are the icing on the lacey cake, literally. I’m utterly infatuated with them. The fact they never budge a centimetre only deepens my adoration. Perfect for pairing with trainers, padding around the house and even ballet pumps.
This nervous system regulation yoga flow from Adrienne was a great one for during menstruation and also any time you feel stressed, anxious or overwhelmed.
I recently gave ballet with Isabella a try and I’m hooked. If you’re looking for online ballet classes with more structure than adhoc YouTube videos I’d say this was the place for you. I’m taking her splits course right now and learning so much about which areas of my body need stretching and strengthening to achieve the results I’m dreaming of.
A thought to leave you with…
I uncovered two new positive affirmations this month amidst my inner work and self-love practice. My affirmation discovery process works by firstly identifying my negative self-beliefs, writing them down and then I deconstruct them by turning them into a positive to repeat to myself every day. When I read these two in particular aloud I cried. A solid indication I needed them more than I knew. For that reason I wanted to share them with you incase you need to hear these words too.
…even in my mess I’m sacred
…even in my healing I’m whole
We’re always worthy of deep, unconditional love and we’re always enough. Right now. Just as we are.
Lots of love
Jessica xxx
Loved reading this post and I was excited to save your recommendations. Thank you 🙏🏼💜
Beautiful list, thank you! Ballet is so great for posture. I haven't been anywhere near it in years, but feel inspired... Russian Gipsy dancing is also very feminine, beautiful and can be both wild + temperamental or more slow and flowing.