How to Do Anything | Cup of Jo (2024)

That means so much to me! Also my mom is 70 and I feel like she is my age:) Age is just a number!

aww, that makes my day!

I find myself going to this post over and over again. Even now when I find myself in peace with our decision it just makes me happy reading it.
https://cupofjo.com/2018/01/22/on-having-an-only-child/

MOTHERHOOD AROUND THE WORLD RETURNING😍😍😍

Happy travels/week off, Joanna + family / COJ team!
xoxo

while the team is away can we play a game where we share our favorite COJ articles?
mine is any of gemma’s beauty recs…
and this letter that I always go back to on gray days. https://cupofjo.com/2013/09/04/wise-words-2/

Great idea!

I’ll play! I’ve been thinking of Joanna’s “grand canyon trick” a lot lately… but the other post that immediately comes to mind is this one: https://cupofjo.com/2018/04/12/small-kindnesses/. Just reread it and teared up again. Both the original post and the comments are so, so good–life-affirming, really! Have a wonderful vacation, CoJ team!

You did not ask for recommendations, but I will share one anyway. I–raised in an Irish (American) Catholic family and neighborhood–was just in Dublin with my husband–not Irish-Catholic–and we loved the Irish Emigration Museum (EPIC). We both found the experience moving. Me, maybe, more so.

I would also love to see a post (a series?) about other types of parenting or family units : Ie step parenting, foster parenting, the aunt who the kids live with but is not Mom.

As someone who grew up in one of those family dynamics and is now raising a child in another I have a real appreciation for when I see that represented in the mainstream. Of course I have my little sub categories of the internet where I find community. AND I also would love to see «my type of family» in the mainstream

Wow Jenny T, that hit me straight in the heart.
Signed, someone who split the week between her parents at a time when it really wasn’t common

I looove this idea!

I’m wrestling with the idea of having a child on my own, since I don’t have a partner and the curse that is a woman’s fertility window is closing, and choosing to be a single parent (and paying a lot of money for the fancy science to try to become one) is such a daunting decision. Would love to hear from anyone who has taken or is contemplating this path.

Haha, same here! I have learned so much, most important lessons were „just add water“ with the kids. And „good for her not for me“ in general. And all the other tipps and discussions – thank you so much for that.
And whenever I am asked where I know that from I say From the American Blog I am reading daily :)

Haha same! My husband, who I sometimes assume isn’t really listening, said the other day “where did you hear that, Cup of Jo?” and I was like oh, you are listening! :)

I would love to add one more category that hits home for me, that is Motherhood Around The World as a parent of children (of all ages) with special needs. Honestly, even with a great support system, it can still feel very lonely at times.

Same! Cannot wait!

Me too!! I’ve spent many an afternoon day dreaming about what my responses would be hahaha

Wow! I hadn’t even put together that this is true for me, too! How fun. Thanks for pointing it out for me. :)

Me too! My baby is 8 days old (already? HOW?) and I look forward to sob-laughing my way through these.

Motherhood Around The World is how I found this blog and my friends and I (a few who parent on different continents) would send them back and forth.

Thank you for bringing them back. It seems like after the last several years, we would all benefit from more unification and celebration.

I’m truly sorry to hear your spouse can’t get time off work. It’s so important. I’ve had plenty of times when this was hard to coordinate. My parents did too. They bought a timeshare (in the 1980s when it was newish) and for years they said it forced a vacation. They were grateful. Not sure it’s a great strategy, but sharing to share. Keep pushing if you can.

I really hope you can figure something out. That amount is large – I’d guess 2+ years in the making without significant time off. Could he be making his role overimportant? We had that issue once. If he’s not top of the chain, I’d encourage him to speak to a supervisor and lay out the reality. Maybe he’d be comfortable planning well in advance- 2 weeks over Christmas that he preps his team for a LOT? You writing family makes me think of kids – not ideal, but maybe in place he could take a bunch of single or half-days to do mini-adventures, every Friday? Still make some memories. If we get out kids early from daycare at 3pm and do a lake picnic dinner it’s always “the best thing ever”.

I feel your pain too! My partner and I started our small business right before the pandemic, we’ve managed to hold on and keep things from folding but vacation has not been a possibility at all. I try to keep things in perspective, that we’re building a life for ourselves on our own terms – but sometimes you just need a break!

Agree, YAY!

STELLLAAAAAAAA

This week I am recovering from blood clots in my lungs and figuring out what that means for the rest of my life. This event (fainting alone in my apartment, going to the hospital, not being able to care for my dog temporarily) has highlighted how isolated I am. I need to work harder on finding a local community for myself, even if it means pushing past old hurts and anxieties. I have to put off my job search to recover. How is that going to affect my immediate future? Am I going to be able to return to school eventually?

There’s a lot going on and I’m just trying to rest. I enjoy this blog a lot though, even though I can’t currently relate to the lifestyle it exemplifies.

Wishing you peace and hope during this difficult chapter in your life. May you come out stronger having learned things not otherwise known. Warm hugs to you.

I am so sorry to hear this. If you lived in my city (Madison, WI) I’d take your dog temporarily. Recover, one day at a time and know that thoughts are with you.

I’m so sorry to hear, Emily! I hope you take it one day at a time and take gentle care of yourself. Virtual hug from an internet stranger!

Sending you love, Emily. I hope you find ways to soothe your nervous system while you heal.
–From another COJ reader who needs to build local community. You’re not alone in your aloneness. hugs.

Sending love! What city are you in? (If you’re comfortable sharing.) Maybe someone on here can help with dog care!

Hi Emily – I lived alone for many, many years and was so used to taking care of myself that I didn’t think much about it. Then I had a medical emergency late at night in my mid-30’s. I ended up okay, but it really threw me for a loop. I felt so vulnerable all of a sudden, and it took a few beats for me to get back to feeling secure again. Acupuncture and reiki both helped calm down my nervous system in the aftermath – I would think massage might help also, if the doctors sign off on it. Wishing you all the best. I’m so glad you have some support.

May you be safe, may you be well, may you be strong, may you be content, may you live with ease.

@Emily Johnson, I’m sorry to hear you experienced a pulmonary embolism, I suffered from it when I was only 33 after a miscarriage -I am 52 now (wow, that went by fast!). I’m living a good, happy, healthy life. The first year for me seemed urgent, mysterious, and a bit disconcerting, but I am confident that you will find your stride and be stronger from it. I’ve posted my email here if you want to reach out for an email chat (and believe no one will use it to spam me). Take care!

“…don’t really know what to think about my suddenly very apparent mortality, which was purely theoretical for the first 36 years of my life.” I wanted to say ME TOO to this. While not me, my husband is going through cancer treatment & I’m also 36 and coming to terms with the fact we aren’t going to be here forever. Sending love to you.

I’m from Amsterdam and you should totally take the job! It’s such a nice city to live in :) -love from another Rose

Well if that isn’t a little sign Rose to Rose…

One of my best friends moved to Amsterdam about 12 years ago and hasn’t looked back. From what I can tell, it’s one of the best cities in the world (yes, there are tourists doing dumb things, but the quality of life is off the charts good).

I have been living in the Netherlands for 16 years and it’s the best! Take the plunge! Maybe you can be our excuse for an NL CoJ meet up?!?

Thank you Roses and others <3. It looks like I will be moving to Amsterdam!