The Weekly (Joy)Cap
Week of July 19th - July 26th (24') | Getting Out of a Rut, Fall Candles, & A Liturgy to Sustain You During These Long Summer Months
This is the (Joy)Cap where I share a weekly reflection or lesson and a roundup of links, recommendations, and everything that’s bringing me joy, inviting you to do the same. Think of this as a weekly coffee date with my close friends. ☕️💕🫶🏾 Join me on a weekly joy hunt and start receiving the (Joy)Cap by subscribing today! ✨
It sucks being in a rut, and I feel like I’ve been in one for the last few months, hence the Note I shared last month.
Life has just felt a little lackluster lately. My spiritual life has been lacking, my motivation has been subpar, and life, in general, has been getting the best of me. It’s to the point where I’ve been seeking any opportunity to check out or escape (which might be one of the contributing factors behind the 70 + books I’ve read so far this year 🌚).
While it’s nice to have an escape, it can be easy to passively dissociate or detach rather than proactively address the mess that, at times, is your life. Well, this week, I decided that it was time for me to take action. On Sunday, I read an entry in Emily Jensen’s devotional, He is Strong (because I’ve been feeling a little weak lately), and I broke out my planner for the first time in months. I can’t tell you the last time I made a to-do list for the day. I put on a worship playlist, made a list, and entered into my week with more purpose and intention than I have in a long time. And while I won’t say that my apathy has been magically cured, I feel it lifting and like I’m finally moving in a more positive direction.
What Brought Me Joy ✨
Sniffing fall candles. As you know from last week’s (Joy)Cap, I am sooo ready for fall. After doing my Target pick up, I popped over to the Bath and Body Works that is a few storefronts down to take a look at their fall preview candle table. Pumpkin Cinnamon Roll might be coming home with me in a few weeks. 👀
An unexpected visit from my best friend. I was finishing up breakfast yesterday morning when I heard a light knock on the door and was surprised to see my best friend. She played with the kids while we chatted for about 45 minutes, and it was the perfect mood booster to kick off the day.
Currently Reading 📚
I’m still reading Summer on Sag Harbor1 and Sweet Magnolias Stealing Home as this month’s buddy reads.
Summer Ever After by Jane Crittenden was one of my first of-the-month free reads with Kindle. The audiobook was also available through Kindle Unlimited, so I flew this within two days.
I grabbed One Summer in Savannah a few months ago on a Kindle deal. This was not a light, fun summery read. This story is one of trauma, healing, and forgiveness. If you pick this one up, make sure that you read the author’s note for content warnings.
I also grabbed Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart by Lysa Terkeurst in one of the daily Kindle deals. There’s been so much going on lately in my life and the world, so this has been the perfect devotional to calm my heart and mind before I go to sleep.
I’ve had Expiration Dates by Rebecca Serle on hold for the last several months, and it finally became available through Libby. This will be my third Rebecca Serle book. I’m not a huge fan of her usage of magical realism in her books, but I’m going to give this one a try.
My library hold for The Townsend Family Recipe for Disaster also became available this last week. It’s giving family cookout/ soul food vibes and explores themes of food, family, sisterhood, love, and interracial families. I’m only a few chapters in and it seems promising.
I’ve seen Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan floating around on Goodreads, so I decided to pick it up. As a mother, I already feel seen in the first few chapters.
I’m always sharing my thoughts in real time on Fable and Instagram. For ratings and reviews, check out my Goodreads.
Fave Substack Read of the Week 💻
Mamas, if you need some refreshment and encouragement in the thick of these long, summer days, this liturgy from
is for you. 💕
I would love to hear from you! What brought you joy this week? Share with us in the group chat, leave a comment, or send me a direct message!
Catch up on the latest (Joy)Caps
Loving the Life Designer? Share the love and earn rewards by referring a friend!
Can’t afford a paid subscription to The Life Designer but still want to support my work? Here are some ways to consider:
☕️ Buy me a coffee to receive a one-time one-month comp.
❤️ Comment, like, or restack this post here on Substack.
🔄 Restack or share your favorite part of this post to your Substack Notes.
📧 Forward this email to a friend.
📲 Connect with me on IG @janelleaking and LinkedIn
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. That means at no additional cost to you, you can shop while supporting The Life Designer publication.
I really enjoyed reading Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart -- it has great devotionals to help ease the mind and heart before going to bed and some I still ponder on even though I finished it months ago. Also appreciate your honesty about being in a rut and you finding ways to take action and get in the word regardless. Very encouraging!
I'm going to try to get the Clear Mind, Peaceful heart because Lord knows I need that.