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! ✨
This week has been the best whirlwind of a week as I hosted my sister and her family. I had sister and brother-in-law time, my kids had cousin time — beach hopping, day-tripping, patio lounging — and it was truly what my soul needed. Now that my sister and I both live far from home, I long for the days when we were only a few doors apart, so I always welcome and cherish any time we get to spend together.
Now that they’ve returned home, the house is full again with my bonus son and nephew here for a few weeks. But even with life being full, I’ve found myself still longing for something much deeper and permanent than the fleeting summer days bring. Probably because even amid fun environmental seasons, there are always life and spiritual seasons that are a little more complex or challenging, running concurrently in the background.
’s post on beating the summer doldrums. According to this AI-generated Google summary, the term summer doldrums “refers to a period of stagnation, inactivity, or listlessness, often characterized by hot, humid, and uneventful weather, particularly during the summer months. It can also describe a state of mild depression or a slump in activity, whether in the economy, personal life, or even a lack of significant weather patterns.”
I think that’s what I’ve been experiencing in my own life — a period of downness that is marked by a lack of activity (or at least activity that I think is meaningful for happiness and growth). After reading her post, it has me thinking about what I can do to not just beat the summer doldrums but life’s doldrums when they hit. Nina shared a great list of low-cost summer luxuries that will help lift your mood during the dog days of summer. Here are mine:
Drinking coffee on the screened-in patio
Hanging in the backyard hammock
Snuggling on the couch with the kids
Picking up our library holds
Starting a new summer read
Enjoying an iced coffee
Trying new sparkling water flavors
Beach days
Eating grilled food and fresh summer fruit
A new summer set (I’ve been working on building my southeast Georgia coastal wardrobe bit by bit)
Binge watching Mini Reni on Magnolia Network while I cook
Journaling daily joy (when I remember to!)
Reading and praying the Psalms
These are just a few of my little summer luxuries. Like Nina suggested, I highly recommend that you create a list, just in case you need a little mood boost too.
The Joy List ✨
Family time. I hosted my sister and her family for a few days this week, and it was everything my soul needed. The kids got to spend time with their cousins, I got sissy time, and was able to be the hostest with the mostest, playing tour guide around our area.
Early morning coffee and reading on the screened-in patio. On mornings before it gets too muggy and the kids wake up, I love to sneak out on the screened-in patio and sip my coffee and read, even if it’s only for ten minutes. The morning sun and sounds are so peaceful and give me the extra energy boost to start my day.
Summer reading. While I didn’t necesssarily create a summer TBR like I did last summer, I’ve been placing holds and reading all the summery books I can get my hands on. My favorites so far have been Carley Fortune’s Every Summer After1 and One Golden Summer and The Love Haters by Katherine Center.
Weekly Faves 🫶🏾💕
Books
Same Time Next Summerby Annabel Monaghan. Okay, so this is the third Annabel Monaghan book I’ve read, and I’m finally ready to welcome her into my enjoyable-authors-to-read fold. While It’s a Love Story is my favorite of hers so far, I still enjoyed reading this second chance romance. I had a good time buddy-reading this with my sister while she was here.
Waiting Isn’t a Waste by Mark Vroegop. Crossway gifted me this copy last year, but I’ve been saving it to read at a time when I knew I would need it. The time is now, and this is the perfect complement to read as I journey throughout the Psalms this summer.
Podcast 🎧
Grace As You Go 🕊️
The sweetness of sisterhood, the fullness of family, and the ache of longing can all live in the same week. Isn’t that just how life is sometimes? Even as joy abounds around us, there are quieter currents beneath the surface—questions unanswered, growth unseen, prayers still in progress. This week reminded me that even the most joyful seasons can hold spiritual ache. But God’s presence meets us right in that tension. He is not waiting for the noise to settle or the chaos to calm. He is already here—in the hammock mornings, in the cousin giggles, in the silent longings.
“You have searched me, Lord, and you know me… you perceive my thoughts from afar… you are familiar with all my ways.” — Psalm 139:1–3 (NIV)
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Hello Janelle! Thanks for the shoutout. I love your Joy List! It's so helpful when we're starting to feel a little down and out to regroup with a little reminder. Private coffee time is one of life's great pleasures. :o)
Hello Janelle! Thanks for the shoutout. I love your Joy List! It's so helpful when we're starting to feel a little down and out to regroup with a little reminder. Private coffee time is one of life's great pleasures. :o)
I thinK Anabel is my favorite author right now.