marching through another month
march 2025 recap - egg freezing, social media hiatus, and grey hairs galore
Every March before this one, I felt staunch in my opinion that March was the absolute worst. Grey days, dodging worms on every sidewalk, frigid rain, snow resistant to melting - Spring close but like… not really at all.
And this year, little miss March made a bit of a comeback.
Maybe it’s because we had our first gorgeous day (hi 60 degrees, I missed you). Or maybe it’s because I’ve been meditating more than ever and am feeling just so grateful for all of life’s and New England’s tumultuous seasons.
I always forget that daylight savings isn’t something to be feared. It’s a time to leave work and be greeted with the last flickers of sunlight, a reminder that brighter days are ahead. I love that I’m getting out in time for daylight. That the birds are making themselves quite known in the morning. That there are tulips starting to spring up and turn their faces towards the sun.
It’s all so cliche but I don’t even care!!
Before writing this, I went back to see what March was like last year. I was firmly rooted in my anti-March mentality, and feeling the ever present cloak of ‘just a bit too busy’ heavy on my shoulders.
To absolutely no one’s surprise, I’m still there.
Just these past few weeks, I was going through the egg freezing process while keeping my PA hours, seeing some Indigo clients, and tending to the garden of this newsletter. I feel incredibly fortunate the timing lined up that I didn’t have to take much time off (mostly because I’m already running low on PTO for the year, which resets in July).
And yet despite the calendar being full, socially and professionally, I’ve felt more grounded and firmly here this month than perhaps ever before. I attribute this, mostly, to a more consistent meditation practice (how shocking that it actually starts to work when done with intentional consistency!). As well as the mindset I tried so very hard to adopt while going through the egg freezing process. That I’m tired of feeling frenzied and frazzled and I don’t want to pass that mantra and mentality into the world and onto future potential offspring.
On the topic of feeling grounded, I anticipated being quite nervous about the egg freezing process. I haven’t been on hormones since college, and didn’t have the best experience while on them in the past. Though the timing felt so right.
I got my period on the full moon of last month. The worm moon, which gets its name as a result of earthworms and other creatures emerging from the thawing ground as spring approaches. It was also a blood worm moon because of the total lunar eclipse, giving the moon a red hue, as I just so happened to get my period. Almost like kismet to start egg freezing on this date - witchy and wonderful!!
I felt so good during my first week of egg freezing, and for most of the process for that matter. Part of this could have been really honing in on my mindset the week prior. I was more intentional than ever about setting boundaries, saying no, going to bed early, meditating, and resting whenever possible.
And I was brimming with gratitude throughout the process, knowing I am incredibly lucky and this is a privilege so many do not have. And fortunate to be in the position of getting to do, rather than needing to do. None of this is lost on me, especially given the political landscape and how it’s impacted reproductive healthcare in the US with this new administration.
Much of this - feeling grateful and content - feels actually inappropriate at this current juncture in the US. I have many patients and clients who are overtaken, overwhelmed, flattened, and flabbergasted by the news cycle. I too fall into this category. And then I remind myself that I have to rest in order to restore attention, focus, and energy. That gripping so hard to the headlines makes it challenging to show up for patients and loved ones.
It motivated a month off of social media, which is the longest stretch within the last decade. I wish I could say I had big revelations and much more time to do things like learn a second language or take up pottery classes, but to be honest, it didn’t save much actual time. But it did make the time I spent doing other things less surface level. Rather than thinking about posting on the internet, or having a knee-jerk reaction to pick up my phone and disrupt time with others, I was largely phone free. When feeling overwhelmed or bored, I didn’t simply start scrolling (granted I may have swapped my social media habit for a Zillow and Pinterest one, but baby steps!)
This has been a slow and steady process, one that’s been occurring over the last few months rather than quitting cold turkey. But it felt like one I was ready for, especially when embarking on the egg freezing journey. A journey where there are often a lot of loud thoughts and opinions. I didn’t want that journey to be impacted or influenced by anyone else’s experience. I wanted to go in with a completely open mind, and not attached to any particular outcome.
Sure there were moments I started down a Reddit rabbit hole. But I was able to climb my way out sooner than I would have in the past. And remind myself to return to the present, rather than peer over the dark cavernous edge of worry and uncertainty.
Despite this big month of big moments and big change, much felt the same in the best of ways. Alas, time marched forward and on.
I saw my grandparents a few times, I celebrated my cousin’s fiancé at her bridal shower, we hosted friends for a dinner party, I met a friend for breakfast and refilled my cleaning supplies at Green Tiger & Co. I went grocery shopping, did laundry, cleaned plates, showered, and changed my Invisalign trays. I took nearly no PTO and worked my full schedule for much of the month. A busy and packed and filled March.
Here are some favorite moments, experienced through the senses. The here’s, there’s and in betweens.
Sights
Shred Sisters: Loved this one. It details the lives of two sisters and is told through the lens of the younger sister. She shares a first hand account of how her sister’s mental illness, undiagnosed and often untreated, impacts the family’s dynamics and her own relationships.
The Picture of Dorian Gray: A classic and disturbing!! This was a book club book that was a relatively quick read. I couldn’t tell if the misogyny was sarcastic or just spoke to the mentality of the times. Not my favorite but glad I read it to see what all the fuss was bout.
Bellies: I read this while going through egg freezing and was oh so grateful for my own belly to grab and inject into. I will remember it as special for this reason alone. I loved the world that it brought me inside. The novel follows a young couple (Ming and Tom) from their college days to adulthood, and shares Ming's decision to transition. Would definitely recommend.
Air: Based on the true story of how Nike signed Michael Jordan and created Air Jordans. Worth it for Viola Davis’ performance along.
Interstellar: Absolute classic. Watched during my weekend of slothing after the egg retrieval process.
Sounds
Dinner Party Indie Mix: Spotify playlist that curated some of my favorite songs for a dinner party Mike and I had. Hit the spot.
Cooking Dinner with a Glass of 🍷 in Hand: I discovered this one while cooking one evening and it turned an instant favorite.
Beyond any playlist, my most listened to tracks this month were Sarah Blondin’s meditations on Insight Timer. Everything her voice touches turns my mind to liquid gold.
Tastes
Vinal General Store (Somerville): The moment I stepped foot into this general store, I knew I’d be back nearly every weekend. You know when you’re in the mood to take a spring walk, stop by a store with endless options for beverages, and then continue strolling about. This is part of that pit stop. AND they make their own soft serve with rotating flavors. AND AND AND they’re situated right across the street from Rococo Floral, so you can grab a bouquet on your way out.
Spicy Turkey Stir-Fry with Crisp Garlic and Ginger: Mike made this for the dinner party we held and every time he makes it, it gets better and better. Pretty quick to make and sure to add some flavor to any week night dinner.
Banyan Bar + Refuge: I was super into this place in the BC era (Before Covid) and have been sleeping on it ever since. After going to First Fridays in the South End to look at local art with some friends, we were perusing the neighborhood to find a place to eat. We walked into Trophy Room and there was a sliver of space for a half person, no space for all four of us. We then walked by Burrito Bar and Barcelona, which were equally packed (since when is literally everyone in Boston going out in the South End?? Don’t answer that - I know quite well how it ages me). We settled on Banyan and the interiors were whimsical and inventive. The miso caesar salad and Thai chili cauliflower were divine. The flourless chocolate cake was sensational. Will be frequenting this spot more regularly, especially when their outdoor patio opens up.
Smells
Botanical Room Spray from Forestbound: I traversed down to Amesbury to visit Forestbound’s holiday pop-up storefront and it was there I first experienced one of their botanical room sprays. We’ve been dousing our couches and rugs in it ever since, and it will now be a seasonal purchase. I re-upped on the scent called Camp - woody, earthy, smoky perfection.
Dusk Candle from Forestbound: I picked this up at the same holiday store and it was on a near-constant burn until it was gone too soon. I just love the hint of pink peppercorn. It’s subtle and barely there but when you walk by it’s a little burst of bliss.
Feels
Cocokind came out with lip balms this month and they’re just perfect. I’ve had the absolute pleasure and privilege of knowing Priscilla (founder of Cocokind) for the last decade and I’m always beyond impressed with her ingenuity and how she runs her business. She is fervently consumer and fan-focused, rather than being swayed by frills, bells, and whistles. Every product she puts her stamp on is one I support.
On the note of beauty care, best believe I got not one but two facials this month. I told myself it was for egg freezing prep but that was all a guise. I really just wanted to be held and cradled with care. They were different types of facials - one for microneedling with Irina from Skin Studio, and the other for relaxation from Shannon of Noel Herbals. Two verrrrry different vibes, but I attribute both to creating a special type of glow despite pummeling myself with estrogen for half the month.
I can’t say the purpose of these facials is firmly in the anti-aging category. This month I’ve been more aware of the aging process than ever, especially with thinking about my reproductive timeline, noticing more greys spiraling their way to the top of my skull, and turning 33 next week. All such incredible gifts.
This month was special and momentous because of the egg freezing process, which I plan to spend more time reflecting on and writing about. It was such a positive experience and one that I walked into with trepidation but ended feeling nothing but empowered. If you have any questions about it, please submit them anonymously here for a future Quench Q+A!
Happy Sunday, my friends! On to April!
KL