1. I am writing this post from Duncan’s apartment where the WiFi is like that of my dreams. Fast like a Starbucks lobby, but comfortable like a hug from an old friend. The WiFi at my place is horrid, and often prevents me from wanting to write anything because of how sSSsLLooOwwWw it is. Little luxuries like this keep the world spinning.
2. I have had the last two weeks off of work for what was meant to be a vacation, but turned into a staycation. For the first week I was irritable, kicking myself for not having anywhere to go after changing original plans, but during the second week I settled right in. I go back to work today and can’t say I am looking forward to it. I’ve been biking, hiking, sleeping, running, eating, staring at the wall, and reading.
I’m currently reading A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, and prior to that I finished the book below.
3. With this time away from work, my chronic – year long back pain – has subsided during the second week. I am certain that my job has been contributing to my lack of healing, and I am now game planning my next move. No job is worth breaking my body for.
4. The heat has hit Washington and it has hit haarrdd. Duncan and I went for a mid morning hike recently that should have been moderate to easy, but it felt hard with the heat. I suppose having Covid two weeks prior made it difficult too, but who knows. The views were great though.
I don’t know which I preferred, the mountains off yonder or the gray jay’s stealing food out of people’s hands.
5. I have a possibly unhealthy attachment to my cat. I feel genuine sadness when I leave him for a night or two. I have always loved the little ball of fur, but lately I feel closer to him. Please live forever. Please let me put you on a leash and come with me on hikes.
6. I have been more mindful of my Instagram usage lately, and occasionally take days off at a time. The benefits I get from staying off of it outweigh the temporary boredom quell, but recently during one of my allotted scroll times I entered a giveaway for some local GF/V donuts I have been wanting to try. Spoiler: I WON!!!
I was stoked to get a free six pack of their current seasonal flavors. Half of them were more of a miss, but the other half were tasty. Although I still prefer my Brittany friendly muffins from another local biz.
7. Speaking of Brittany friendly muffins, I woke up Sunday morning to Duncan surprising me with one of these muffins. I told him I wanted a muffin surprise someday, and I didn’t anticipate that day being so soon. It was delicious, despite the fact they initially gave him the wrong muffin. We went back to get the right one.
8. I found a new road to ride my bike on that gives me backroad farm vibes. Maybe because it is a backroad with farms…but it makes me feel like I am biking in an area that warms my soul which is hard to find where I currently live. I rode there three times in the last week, and I think I have finally found my new spot.
9. I miss the spirit of blogging past. When I first started this blog, I met copious amounts of others both online and in person because blogging was a growing hobby for many. I understand the entirety of this type of social media has changed with the onslaught of Twitter and Facebook and Instagram etc, but sometimes I just miss the community these blogs fostered.
I also adore when those who still read my blog leave me a comment. Like, it legitimately makes my day. Please be a community with me. I need friends.
10. I sometimes get sucked into the homebody aura that Duncan exudes, and while this is helpful at times it can also be harmful for me. This past weekend we got out of our bubble and went to a brewery for a friends birthday and played card games with six other humans. We laughed until our bellies ached, and afterwards we ate sushi with the sunset.
It doesn’t take much, but that evening was a complete recharge for my mental health battery.
Q: What’s your confession?
Blissfulbritt 
57 thoughts on “Early Morning Confessions”
Pree
” I miss the spirit of blogging past. When I first started this blog, I met copious amounts of others both online and in person because blogging was a growing hobby for many. I understand the entirety of this type of social media has changed with the onslaught of Twitter and Facebook and Instagram etc, but sometimes I just miss the community these blogs fostered.”
GIRL I ABSOLUTELY FEEL YOU.
I’m so glad I saved my old blogs on my computer just so I can look at them. Man, those were the days. I used to have like 15-20 different bloggers leave comments, even if it was like “omg that bar looks so good!” LOL.
Why don’t people leave comments anymore? I mean, why don’t people read any more is the real question. Why have people gotten so lazy lol!
Brittany
“omg that bar looks so good!” THIS IS SO ACCURATE THOUGH! I laughed out loud. Some of those early day comments were DEFINITELY surface level, but hey…it got us interacting!
Sometimes I go through old posts and feel sad about how I was able to do more before my autoimmune disease woke up, but I do love having that memory lane at times. I have most of the old posts, but I did clean out A LOT of them. I didn’t want my future partner reading about my past one. No need for that. So those posts are goneeee. LOL
Grace @ Cultural Life
I’m more than happy to leave comments 🙂 I no longer write a blog myself and I follow very few blogs these days as I don’t have the time to keep up with many. I’m definitely someone who prefers quality of interactions over quantity (in the blogging and offline worlds).
Glad you were able to have a restful staycation. Although I’m sorry to hear your back pain is likely caused by your job. As a fellow sufferer of work-related maladies, I sympathise! My plan is to get an adjustable sit-stand desk soon — I think sitting still and staring at a screen for 8 hours a day isn’t doing me any good. But I do have occasional day dreams about a more active career…. garden design, perhaps. Being outdoors and being active does wonders for my mood and physical / mental health. Do you have a sedentary job too? I hope the return to work isn’t too gruelling. It’s always hard to get back into it after time away.
Hope you’re fully recovered from Covid now. I think the last time I commented on your blog was when we were comparing Covid woes — I’m still feeling groggy and sleepy in the mornings. Had to rush home from my boyfriend’s house near the end of my quarantine period as my mum fell and broke her wrist, so that was an acutely stressful period on top of Covid recovery. She needs help for the next few weeks while she’s in a cast, so I’m temporarily grounded at home most of the time for now.
The muffins and doughnuts sound delicious! Little sweet treats here and there really brighten up the day (she says, as she tucks into a chocolate croissant 😀 )
Brittany
I hear you about quality! I love a good quality interaction no matter where it’s from. Otherwise what’s the point?
My job is actually very physical, and there is a lot of heavy lifting. I work in the shipping/receiving department at REI (a US outdoor shop), and I have been in denial about the lifting for a year. It took me a while to work my way back there (I had to work on the floor with customers for a while), so I didn’t want to accept that it was a problematic spot. I admit a physical job is one I need, but I am hoping to find a better balance. I had a standing desk once when I worked in an office thought and it was great.
I am feeling much better from Covid, I have been able to bike for over an hour each time I go, and I have had a couple runs as well. The runs are a struggle still, but they always are LOL. I am so sorry about your mom, for her and for you! My first time having Covid I had to take care of my mom, my sister, and my boyfriend so I was running back and forth every couple days. It was rough so I commiserate with you! I hope for a full recovery soon, it can be a LONG process.
I hope that chocolate croissant was DECADENT!
Grace @ Cultural Life
All the heavy lifting must put a strain on your back! I guess no job is perfect, as I remind myself when I’m grumbling about sitting down all day. I hope you manage to find something with the right balance that allows you to be active but is less physically demanding. And in the meantime, I hope you get a good staff discount at REI! I love a good browse around outdoor stores, in the UK we have Go Outdoors which looks very similar to REI. They sell all the gear for hiking, camping etc. Speaking of which, my boyfriend and I have booked a camping trip which I’m very excited about. I really enjoy hiking and being outdoors, but at the age of 29, this will be my first ever camping trip! We’re staying at a campsite for the first time, as I like my creature comforts and a nice shower haha. But if all goes well, I see some wild camping in my future.
Glad to hear you’ve recovered well from Covid and are able to exercise. Aww thank you, she only has two more weeks in plaster so hopefully she’ll regain wrist mobility soon after it’s removed. That must have been tough for you to have to look after the three of them. Life throws some curveballs at us sometimes, doesn’t it?!
Hope you’re having a lovely weekend 🙂
Julanne
I miss those early days of blogging also! WordPress used to run a photo challenge every week that I loved because of the way it connected their blogging community. It just hasn’t been the same for me since that ended and that, paired with a period of depression for me and then Covid isolation, just sort of silenced my writing muse.
I hope to find it again someday.
Rest assured, I’m still reading your blog post and am SO happy you and Duncan have found each other! Keep loving and keep hiking and keep writing Brittany! We are out here reading!
Brittany
Ohh it’s so good to see your comment! I understand what you mean about it not being the same. Somedays I feel like my posts are too much of a downer, but I also love sharing it all. Even the depressed posts. We’re all in this life boat together!
traanrekk
I really enjoy your blog! And I really loved that book, “a stranger in the woods“. Fascinating story, and part of me understands the appeal of retreating to the woods forever! Thank you for continuing to share with us!
Brittany
That’s how I felt about the book too! It was such a good read and I felt enamored for days. I couldn’t disappear forever, but if I had my cat maybe…😂
Rootchopper
Blogging can be weird. I have no idea who many of my readers are. They all seem to be kindred spirits so no worries.
Are you on your feet all day at work? Try some Hoka shoes. They have a ludicrous amount of cushioning. I noticed when I went to get an MRI that nurses and orderlies wear them.
Duncan keeps on earning bonus boyfriend points. Yay.
Brittany
I have tried Hokas a couple times (the beauty of working at REI), but they have wayyy too high of a drop for me. I’m used to minimal shoes so it was too much of an awkward unnatural angle.
I put some inserts into my shoes and that helped a bit, my Birkenstocks help some too. It’s just a never ending process sometimes. The problem is more the heavy lifting from my job. Paired with a herniated disc makes a slow healing process. So I need to stop lifting stuff.
Duncan is such a little gem. 🤪
niall
I still enjoy blogging although I’ve only been back at it for just over 3 years now. It definitely has a nice community feel. I also love comments, both leaving and receiving. I find people are more likely to leave comments when I comment on their blogs too.
Donuts for free? Excellent 👌😆
Brittany
I find that too about comments. It helps to grow the relationships here. I think blogging will always be some kind of outlet for me, even if I step away sometime I think I will find my way back! I’m glad you did.
Amy M
Brittany, you’re the best! Seeing your blog post in my email brightens my day. I so enjoy reading your life adventures and the gorgeous places you bike and hike. My confession is that I dusted off my road bike after over a year of neglect and forgot how much I loved biking. Running will always be my first love, but biking is a comforting friend too.
Brittany
Oh Amy! This was such a sweet comment, thank you! I am SO exciting about your road bike endeavor. I said the same thing about running, and then one day biking took me somewhere running never could! I love them both, but I much prefer four hours on a bike vs one hour running. LOL
Either way, I am excited for your biking adventures!
Bradley on the Run
I always enjoy your posts and delight when an email pops up in my inbox. I used to blog a LOT – back when in person races where a thing, and I ran many of them. Other social platforms never gave me as much joy. And although races are back, my motivation to blog…not so much. But thank you for sticking with it and please don’t stop!
Brittany
I can at least still follow your adventures when I am on Instagram! I do love seeing your running and your fun adventures with your partner! Thank you for sticking with me.
Saurabh
It always feels nice to read your blogs. I am still new to blogging but I agree that the community it harbours feels different from other online platforms. Hope this space remains to grow. Keep posting 🙂
Brittany
Thank you! The beautiful thing about blogging is that it is ALWAYS the right time to start or stop. It’s a very personal hobby and I think and hope it will always be here for people.
Liz H
Confession: my cat is my best friend. He’s currently draped across my lap, paws curved around my bicep, purrs popping as he falls asleep.
Confession 2: I always ALWAYS look forward to the sunshine that is your blog!
Brittany
Your first confession SPEAKS TO ME!! As I was typing that specific confession mine was draped across me too. My hands were free to type, but he was enveloping me with his body and I loved every minute of it. I love that your cat loves you so much!
Thank you for confession two, I always love seeing your comments. ❤
Liz H
😻
Suzanne
Hi! I enjoyed this post. My husband and I don’t like to leave my sweet cat home alone for more than a few hours. We even travel separately. )
Where are the GF donuts from? They look so good. I’ve only found one GF donut place in the world — fonuts in LA. I have the best GF bakery near me (By the Way), but they don’t do donuts. And I really love donuts. Ever try the Katz brand? They are actually really really good. Especially the powdered donut holes.
🙂
Brittany
Oh my goodness I adore you and your husbands routine with the cat. I think a lot of people assume cats are extremely independent, but I think as they age they need people (or other pets) around them. My cat is an only child, therefor I spend as much time with him as possible.
I will preface my reply by saying these donuts were more like a loaf cake texture, or maybe like a cake donut, but for me they were fun. I gave some to non GF eaters and they didn’t love the texture. They are local to Washington and are only at select coffee shops here, but I have found some other small businesses throughout Oregon and LA as well!
I have seen the Katz brand in stores, but I have never tried them. I have heard good things though. 🙂
Suzanne
Yes! Ours is an only child as well.
Definitely try Katz. I’ve been gluten free for years (not by choice) so I don’t remember non-GF food, but I think their line is legitimately good.
Thistles and Kiwis
Hi – I understand completely about your cat. Ours is getting old and I worry every time he goes out. There is still a blogging community out there. I have quite a few ‘blog friends’ out there all over the world.
Brittany
I need to find some more blog friends again, it was such a valuable time in my life.
I also worry about my cat, I don’t let him outside.
hyddyr
I enjoy your observations on life and thoughts on your cat ❤
Brittany
Thank you, he is such a sweetie!
WeAreOnTheLoose
I’ve always loved your blog, I mainly don’t comment as I don’t know you in real life (or on most folks blogs really). That said, it’d be nice to get back to the community days of blogging, I met some awesome friends to this day via the many iterations of blogs I have, and it feels more grounding than FB/TT/Twitter/Insta (though, to be fair, I’ve learned a ton more about other communities via TT). Hope you can sort out your back issues, they can be so frustrating when you can’t truly heal and just keep aggravating it!
Brittany
More grounding is a great way to put it! Thank you for your comment. I also hope my back figures itself out, it’s stressing me out!
Allie Zottola
I always enjoy these posts, Brittany! I am with you on missing the “old” blogging days. I will forever choose blogging over social media. It’s the best to have a deeper connection. I totally agree about comments making my day as a blogger. It’s so much fun!
You’re right, no job is worth breaking your body over. Ever! Thanks for sharing the books you’ve been reading!!
Brittany
I know you’ve been around since the time I started and your posts are always nostalgic for me! Thanks for continuing to be my blog pal! ❤️
Sanjeev
One of the few blogs I truly like and follow. Thank You for sharing all your experiences so vividly Brittany, especially about those hikes. Top quality.
Brittany
What a kind comment, thank you! I’m glad my rambles resonate with you. 🙌🏻
Sanjeev
I get transported into the place reading your posts. Thank You for sharing them. And keep writing. Stay safe, and keep healthy.
Regards from India,
Sanjeev
Chris
I’m just here to relish in the fact you’re embracing the DROP BAR BIKE!!!
Brittany
YAASS! You probably can’t even tell, but I DID lower the bars…just a wee bit.
Running on Fumes
I need friends, too. The loneliness within social media is rampant.
Brittany
Oh man, ain’t that the truth! Another part of why I try to avoid the more common social media!
Peg
Really enjoyed your post. My partner and I have been “nesters” for a while now, but with Covid, that got ramped up to the nth degree. So, we took a couple days off last month and went to Leavenworth, WA, and it made all the difference! Now, back to “nesting”.
Brittany
I adore Leavenworth. It’s one of my favorites in Washington. It makes me feel like I’m back in Germany. 😍
explorerron
You write well and always have something good to say. I feel your pain, so to speak, when you write about time off, a change of plans, and the doing not much and being irritable. We took a week off in late May to train for Mt Adams. I got Covid the week before. Then my partner got it. It was mild so we were able to a few things away from people, but it was not the plan!
I try to keep a blog but months keep slipping by. Which, means I probably shouldn’t even try. I need to write when I’m feeling the passion and creativity. I get so busy that I lose the moment. Then time passes and the trip or event is so far removed I just don’t bother. I probably should get busy and catch up.
Brittany
I relate to you and not wanting to write if you’re not feeling creative. That’s why I blog so infrequently these days, I don’t want it to feel like a chore. Sometimes I can go a whole month without feeling like writing. It’s an ebb and flow for sure. It’s never too late to catch up though!
Ashten
I miss the early days of blogging. I’m working on getting back to that place. I recently came back to writing after a long hiatus, and it feels great to keep it simple. No pictures in the post, just words. Not ideal to draw people in…but it feels authentic in the storytelling. 🙂
Brittany
I love the storytelling aspect of blogging. I definitely enjoy sharing photos too, but there is beauty in both styles!
Jan C Johnson
Hey, I read “A Million Miles In a Thousand Years“ too!
Thanks for visiting me at Joywriting.
Brittany
This book has shifted my perspective on life and seeking to always write a better story!
Atheria
I lost Bodhi and Karma too young, and pray 15 year old Chakra and 10 year old Bleu live forever. So, your attachment is not wrong. Cats are blessings in fur…as are other animals. Don’t get me started regarding jobs that damage your health. Ugh! I definitely don’t miss Facebook at all, and now don’t even miss Instagram and Twitter. Quitting most social media has been good for me. I did have to reactivate LinkedIn as I’m looking for a new job, but do not post on it or hang out there.
Brittany
I have had such a hard time walking out the door lately saying bye to my cat. I think having a week with him for Covid, and then TWO weeks with him shortly after that for my staycation we just bonded even more.
I haven’t been on Facebook in almost two years now, that was easy to deactivate. IG is the only one that lures me in sometimes. I never feel good after spending time on it though. One day I will learn!
I pray you find a new job ASAP. I know it has been a long process.
Kelsey
I pine (whine?) extensively about how I miss the olden days of personal blogging. Obviously many of us still do it. I feel like it’s harder to find true personal blogs these days (v. overly styled “lifestyle” blogs with tons of pop-ups and sponsored content), and sometimes I feel so much pressure to “promote” “content” all over each of the trillion social media channels. Which: ew/no? When I started blogging again in March after a 5 or 6 year break from it, I purposely went with WordPress over Squarespace because it essentially has a built-in networking mode. I’m so happy to have happened across your blog this way.
Brittany
I feel like the blogs with heavily sponsored content or even needing to use the word “content” with regard to a blog ruins it for me. Personal blogs are my speed, I want to get to KNOW people. The real stuff. I’m all for a sponsored post and making money if you can, but not while loosing your true voice. You said it perfectly.
I love that I can find blogs on WordPress. It’s one of my favorite things to do in my downtime!
Jonathan Weathers
Thank you for your blogs, they are my calm time, it’s just a 10 minute read, but I can sometimes think for days about the things you have written, and that silly little throw-away question at the end…. I know you think you need friends, but we’re all routing for you,and the cat, and Duncan, your next bike, and future walks and hikes, your love to – hate it running conundrum….. keep going Brit… your a long time dead….
Brittany
My goodness. This was one of the most heartfelt and kind comments I’ve ever received. Thank you so much, and thank you for being here.
Amy
YESSSSSS!!! To all of this… Especially #9. That’s how we met, way back in the day! (The post about a running race, christening a porta potty, and donuts. I’ll never forget that! 😉 ) And I’m SO glad we did meet — at least virtually!!
I’m right there with you about social media too. If I wasn’t a full-time blogger, I wouldn’t be on it, and I wouldn’t miss it. At all. I just spent 10 days on vacation without logging into social media (the first time in 9+ years!), and it was PURE BLISS. I’ve barely logged on since returning too. My mood, happiness levels, and overall well-being are so much better without it.
I hope you find a job that’s better for your physical health too. You deserve it, Brittany!!
Sending a big virtual hug your way — until I get the chance to finallyyyyyyy give you one in person!! ♡
Brittany
I am so thankful for my long term blog pals like you! You always bringing a smile to my face.
I am so proud of you for stepping away from social media for that long. That’s a big deal when it’s your FT job! I’m just tired of seeing things on my social media that I don’t follow. Like, where are all my friends I follow!? They don’t show up!
Amy
Awww the feeling is SO mutual, Brittany!! ♡
I’ve actually muted or unfollowed almost everyone on my biz account… So about 5-10 people (max!) show up in my feed. Literally. It’s nice that I recognize everyone and IG doesn’t seem to show me anyone random! But I don’t know how much longer that’s going to last… IG seems bound and determined to expose us to lots of “new” accounts it thinks we should follow! 😉