I went into the long holiday weekend without many expectations. I was wrestling with how to appropriately acknowledge the end of a decade-long tradition a friend and I had for the Fourth of July, trying to stay grounded after last week’s political shenanigans that will adversely affect millions, and ultimately canceled the few plans I had made. In my mind, this Independence Day was starting to feel more like a non-event than a celebration.
But then, things shifted.
On the day itself, I leaned into the quiet. I spent most of it tending to myself—straightening up, slowing down, and giving my nervous system a much-needed break. Nothing particularly exciting, but somehow it felt just right. That evening, I hopped in the car and made my way to my favorite local seafood spot before heading to the beach to watch the fireworks. Even without my friend there, I found a way to keep our tradition alive by sending her photos and videos of the sunset and fireworks from afar.
The rest of the weekend followed a similar pace—unhurried and gentle. I swapped my typical beach day for time by the pool and even managed to get in a morning sail.
Sometimes, you need the quiet—not just to rest, but to reflect. To honor the traditions that once were and to make space for what’s next. This year’s Fourth of July may not have looked like it used to, but in its stillness, it offered me something new: a reminder that change can be gentle, and new traditions can begin with a simple decision to show up for yourself.
Here are a few of my favorite moments from the long weekend:
{A little Fourth of July nail inspiration, thanks to OPI’s Cajun Shrimp color}
{Nothing says Fourth of July like a hot dog, am I right?}
{A sunset that just kept on giving}
{Ended the long weekend poolside}
If your holiday weekend looked different this year too, I’d love to hear how you spent it!
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