Good morning beautiful soulsssss — or maybe not so beautiful right now, depending on how the week’s been treating you. I’ll be honest — mine has been a mess. Not poetic… at all. Literally just dealing with one hardship after another. But if you’re alive living in this world, I know you understand that things are hard for everyone right now. So I’m giving you a huge virtual hug and handing you a warm mug of coffee — it’s time to sit and chat for a bit.

📰 The Sunday Essay

The world feels different now. I remember my husband and I were laid in the bed in 2020 having a serious talk about the future of the world. I remember him saying that this was going to be the shift. Shit was gonna start getting real… and it indeed did. NOTHING is the same. Groceries are costing an arm and a fucking leg. We are spending $900+ in groceries for a family of 5 right now a month. And no — we aren’t buying steaks, shrimp, and lobster. We are literally grabbing things to cook for the week for meals and some snacks for the kids. That’s it. Everyone’s telling you to “take care of yourself,” but no one’s saying how — or with what money. Don’t even get me started on the fact that buying a home is out of the question now. People are exhausted, and somehow we’re still expected to smile through it.

I was talking to my husband recently and asked, “Do you ever feel like we’re living in survival mode on autopilot?” because that’s exactly how it feels. The cost of living keeps rising, but the cost of being human — emotionally, mentally, spiritually — feels even higher. It’s hard. I used to think adulthood would come with rhythm and some kind of map. Now it’s just vibes, prayer, and hoping your card doesn’t decline at Walmart.

It’s wild — we’re expected to be everything: stable, hopeful, ambitious, gentle, informed, unbothered. But it’s hard to be “soft” when the world feels so sharp. Feels like I’m on a constant battlefield with no way out. Something’s gotta give.

Every day we wake up to news — another tragedy, price hike, and another reason to feel small and like the world is coming down on your head. Yet somehow, in all of that, we still get up. We still laugh at memes. We still light candles. We still pour our wine. We still try.

Maybe that’s what resilience actually looks like in uncertain times — not pretending things are okay, but choosing to still care anyway. To still get up in the morning and make your bed. To still call your friend and talk about life — even if its ranting and crying over a glass of wine on FaceTime. To still believe that something good can happen, even when the headlines scream otherwise. I’ll be honest, I’m a realist. I don’t see things changing any time soon. I don’t see things getting better. I actually see them becoming the opposite. BUT… I will still get up every single day and still care. I’m still going to pour my coffee. I’m still going to write. I’m still going to run my business. I’m still going to put in the effort to give myself something to hold onto every day, because what other choice do we have?

So if you’re tired — if your heart feels heavy and you’re just trying to make it through — I see you. You’re not lazy. You’re not weak. You’re not alone. You’re just a human being doing your best in a world that keeps shifting under your feet. You’re doing your best, friend. And right now? Our best is all we have. You got up today. You tried and you didn’t throw the towel in. That deserves to be celebrated. Yes… we have reached celebrating the bare fucking minimum and you know what — OH WELL! That’s where we are in society. So if you smiled at a stranger today, if you folded a load of laundry, if you got up and said you know what… I’m gonna tackle today with strength — you’re doing fine. You’re trying. And right now? That’s enough.

And I don’t have a five-step plan or some fancy affirmation to fix our issues. I just have this truth: survival is still sacred. Getting through the day counts. Breathing counts. You count. YOU matter. So — while we are all crying over our $300 insurance premium and grocery bill that would make our great grand parents squint their eyes — just know you aren’t alone. Get through the day. Get through TODAY. And at the end of every single day? Thank God you made it through. I don’t have all the answers. But I do know that continuing to push through even when you feel stuck, is enough.

☕ The Sunday Sip

This week’s sip: Reality Roast

If you’re sipping this special brand of coffee right now and getting flustered about money, bills, or just life being too much, take a slow deep breath and let me tell you: you’re not crazy for feeling overwhelmed.
Everything costs too damn much — peace included. So what do we do? We create peace where we can.

This week, your “self care” can be whatever keeps you sane.
If it’s lighting a candle before bed, do that.
If it’s screaming in the car after work, do that too.
If it’s ramen noodles instead of a home cooked dinner, congratulations — you fed your family.

We’re not chasing perfection here. We can’t afford to anyway. -_-

So sip your coffee, your tea, your cheap wine — whatever’s in your cup — and remember that you’re still here and trying. If no one else sees you, I do.

📝 The Margin Notes

Write these in your planner, your phone notes, or the back of your grocery list:

• Survival is NOT failure!
• The world’s heavy; you don’t have to carry it alone. And you’re not carrying it alone.
• Being “soft” right now is an act of rebellion. So be a rebel.
• The small things still count — gas in the car, a clean shirt, a full belly. Count those small wins this week!
• We are all one paycheck, one prayer, one moment away from needing grace — so give it freely. Never know when you may need it.
• It’s okay to rant and to hope. Both can live here together.
• You are not behind — you’re just human in hard times. *SNAPS FINGERS!!!*

📓 This Week’s Journal Prompt

What does “enough” look like for me right now — not someday, not when things calm down, but today?

Write until you find your own definition of enough.

✨ What’s New on the Blog

Wives of Blue is finally here!!! Follow the Wives of the detectives that will be a part of my novel series coming next year. Episode 1 below — Episode 2 coming this Wednesday <3

Nolaverse: Wives of Blue 💍

Welcome to Episode one of Wives of Blue — the series inside the Nolaverse that follows the wives of the detectives fighting to rebuild the city and chase crime. Interested in what the Noalverse is? Click the link below. Otherwise, scroll on down for the episode!

Letters from the Bayou Soul x SWMarie ✨

✨ Coming Soon: A New Course!

I shared this on the last Sunday Chronicle but I am sharing it again!

With the purchase you will get:

• Daily Lessons (30 Days): “Bite-sized” guidance + writing prompts to keep you moving.
• Weekly Deep-Dive Modules (4 Total)Week 1: Spark – grow your idea into a strong conceptWeek 2: Structure – build your outline + charactersWeek 3: Style – find your voice and flowWeek 4: Strength – push through blocks and finish strong. YOU CAN DO THIS.
• Writer’s Journal Templates: Downloadable PDFs for brainstorming + reflection
• “Soul Sessions” Checkpoints: Motivational notes to keep you inspired
• End-of-Course Celebration!!!!: A reflection exercise + optional certificate

Bonus Goodies for my author guys and galssss:

• A curated Writer’s Playlist to set the mood
• A mini ebook: 10 Lessons I Learned Writing My First Book
• Access to a private writer’s thread for encouragement + community.
• By the end of 30 days, you’ll hold your first draft in your hands!
• 30-page PDF workbook (daily content).
• Weekly slides (recaps + encouragement).
  Bonus worksheets/checklists (outline templates, character sheets, etc).

Want me as your editor/publisher when you’re done?

Check out my Fiverr for pricing/booking, or email authorswmarie@gmail.com for questions + a free five-page edit/consult to see if we vibe.

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