Sometimes You Just Need a Little Weird in Your Weekend

Lately, life has felt like it’s been piling on the stress, and I could feel myself getting to the point where I just needed a break. Not the kind of break where you catch up on laundry, tackle the to-do list, or spend a few hours trying to get your life organized. No, I needed the kind of break where you get out of the house, have some fun, laugh a little, and give your brain permission to think about absolutely anything other than your everyday responsibilities.

Thankfully, this past Saturday, I got exactly that!

I met up with some friends for a day and evening out on the town, and we packed a whole lot of fun into one outing. Our adventures included digital art, alien encounters, coffee, good food, and a late-night showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. You know, just your average Saturday!

Our first stop was ARTECHOUSE Houston, where we explored the digital art installation. There’s something fascinating about experiencing art in a way that goes beyond the traditional paintings hanging on a wall. The immersive digital environment gives you a chance to step into the experience, take it all in, and see things from a different perspective. It was a great way to kick off our day and get out of the usual routine.

From there, we headed to Meow Wolf to check out aliens taking over a radio station. Because why settle for an ordinary afternoon when you can throw a little extraterrestrial weirdness into the mix? Meow Wolf is the kind of place that encourages you to explore, get curious, and embrace the unexpected. It was a fun change of pace and another reminder that sometimes the best experiences are the ones that are a little outside the box.

Of course, all that exploring worked up an appetite, so we stopped for lunch before continuing our adventures. We also visited two different coffee houses along the way. Because apparently, one coffee stop simply wasn't enough! But honestly, good coffee, good conversation, and spending time with friends are some of life's simple pleasures. Sometimes it's not even about what you're doing as much as it is about who you're doing it with.

And just when you might think the day was winding down, we capped off the evening with a showing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. It was the perfect finale to a day that was already delightfully unconventional. By the time I finally made it home, it was 3 a.m.!

Now, I won't pretend that I'm used to getting home at that hour anymore. My usual routine is a little less midnight madness and a little more appreciating the fact that my bed is waiting for me. But was it worth it? Absolutely!

The truth is, I've had a lot on my mind lately. Between work, responsibilities, and all the other things that seem to demand our time and attention, it's easy to get caught up in the cycle of doing what needs to be done. We keep pushing forward, checking things off our lists, and telling ourselves we'll make time for fun later.

But sometimes, later needs to be now.

We don't always need an elaborate vacation or a week away to recharge. Sometimes, we just need a day with friends, a few unusual adventures, a good meal, an unreasonable amount of coffee, and the freedom to stay out way past our bedtime.

Did all my stress magically disappear? Of course not. I still have responsibilities waiting for me, and Monday arrived whether I was ready for it or not. But I came away from the weekend with something I really needed: a little breathing room, some wonderful memories, and the reminder that life isn't supposed to be all work and obligations.

Sometimes, taking care of yourself means slowing down and resting. Other times, it means getting out there and making a few memories that have absolutely nothing to do with your daily routine.

This weekend, I chose the second option, and I'm so glad I did.

So here's your friendly reminder: If life has been feeling a little too heavy lately, make some time for yourself. Call your friends. Explore somewhere new. Try something a little different. Drink the fancy coffee. Stay out later than you probably should (within reason, of course!). Give yourself permission to have fun without feeling guilty about everything else waiting for you.

Because sometimes, the best way to deal with the craziness of life is to go out and experience a completely different kind of craziness for a change.

And if that craziness happens to involve digital art, aliens, coffee, and The Rocky Horror Picture Show? Even better!

Here's to making memories, finding our joy, and remembering that even in the middle of stressful seasons, there's still room for a little adventure.

Taking the Long Way to Somewhere Wonderful

As our vacation gets closer and closer, I have to admit something: I am stressing out.

You would think that after planning this trip for more than a year, I would be completely calm, cool, and collected by now. Instead, the closer we get, the more my brain seems to come up with a list of things to worry about, double-check, remember, and prepare for.

But somewhere underneath all of that stress is something much bigger: I am really, really excited.

This isn't just a quick weekend getaway. We're taking a pretty big road trip—three states away from home—and we'll be driving through two states we've never driven through before. That's one of the things I love most about taking road trips. There's something different about watching the scenery change outside your window and realizing, I've never been here before.

We've been planning this trip for over a year, so it has definitely been one of those things sitting on the horizon that we've been looking forward to for a very long time. And now that it's finally getting close, it feels a little surreal that the planning is about to turn into the actual trip.

One of the funnier parts of this adventure is that we'll even be about 15 minutes east of our hotel and suddenly find ourselves in another state—because, of course, we're going to visit a casino while we're there. Apparently, when you take a road trip, you might as well collect a few state lines along the way!

And honestly, I'm really starting to appreciate these road trips we've been taking.

For a long time, flying seemed like the obvious choice for a vacation. Get on a plane, get where you're going quickly, and start enjoying the destination. And there is definitely something to be said for that.

But driving has given us something flying can't.

We're getting to see more of the country together.

We get to take the roads we've never traveled, stop at places we would have otherwise flown right over, discover little towns, see the scenery change, and—perhaps most importantly for us—eat at places we would never have had the opportunity to visit if we were flying.

Some of our favorite parts of these trips aren't necessarily the big destination moments. Sometimes it's the random restaurant we found along the way. Sometimes it's a roadside stop. Sometimes it's simply looking at each other and saying, "We've never been here before."

There is something really special about exploring the country together, one highway at a time.

So yes, I'm stressed.

There are still things to get done. There are details to figure out. There are probably going to be moments when I wonder why I thought planning a giant road trip was a good idea.

But I'm trying to remind myself that the stress is temporary. The memories won't be.

In a few weeks, all of this planning will be behind us. We'll be in the car, heading toward an adventure we've been anticipating for more than a year. We'll cross state lines, drive roads we've never seen, find new places to eat, explore somewhere new, and probably take approximately a million pictures along the way.

And that's the bright side I'm choosing to focus on.

Instead of thinking about everything that still needs to be done, I'm trying to think about everything we're about to experience.

Two new states. New roads. New food. New places. A little gambling. A lot of driving. And plenty of time together.

Maybe that's what I need to remember when the vacation countdown starts making me anxious: we're not just traveling to a destination.

We're taking the long way to somewhere wonderful.

And I can't wait to see what we find along the way.

The Audience Sees Two Hours. Here's What They Don't See.

As much as I love being involved with the Lone Star Symphonic Band, I have to admit I've really enjoyed our month-and-a-half break from rehearsals. The funny thing is... while the rehearsals stop, the work behind the scenes never really does.

This summer has been filled with band business. We kicked things off with our second-quarter Board meeting, where we reviewed financials, completed evaluations for our three directors, and began planning for our Annual Meeting that will take place at our first rehearsal back. Before our annual Board retreat, I met with our Treasurer over lunch to prepare, and then spent a full day with the Board discussing the future of the organization. I presented several items, and we had some great conversations about fundraising and the importance of every Board member playing an active role in supporting the band's financial future.

Now we're in the final stretch of preparing for the Annual Meeting, which means putting the finishing touches on yet another presentation. Once that meeting is behind us, the familiar rhythm of the season begins again: concert planning, program notes, press releases, publicity, fundraising, and all of the countless details that go into making a successful concert season.

Sometimes I wish I could truly "take the summer off" from band responsibilities. Realistically, I don't see that ever happening, and honestly, that's part of serving on the Board of a volunteer organization. There is always another project waiting, another meeting to prepare for, or another deadline around the corner.

Even when it feels like I'm barely keeping my head above water, it's rewarding to know that all of this work helps make our concerts and our organization successful. Here's to another season of music, community, and the organized chaos that comes with making it all happen. 

Why I Left My Fourth of July Weekend Completely Open

The past two months have been a whirlwind, and now that the dust has finally settled, I can honestly say I'm looking forward to a little slower pace.

May and June are always busy with the Lone Star Symphonic Band, but this year seemed especially full. We had two major patriotic performances to prepare for: our Memorial Day concert in Sugar Land and our annual Patriotic Concert to close out the season. While performing in the band is something I truly enjoy, there is quite a bit that happens behind the scenes long before the first note is played.

As one of the volunteers helping organize the Patriotic Concert, my to-do list seemed to grow longer every day. I coordinated with both the VFW and American Legion Color Guards so we could properly honor our veterans and country. I organized our non-auditioned community chorus, recruited singers, found a chorus director, and worked through the process of getting the director's contract written and signed. I tracked down hundreds of small American flags for the audience to wave during our patriotic finale, designed the concert program, and made sure it was ready to send to the printer on time.

Of course, all of that was in addition to actually being a performer. I still had to find time to practice my own music so I could be prepared for the concert. Since I was also speaking during the performance, I spent time writing and rehearsing my remarks as well. It's funny how easy it is to focus on checking off every task and forget that you're also supposed to enjoy the event you've spent months planning!

As if that weren't enough, I've also been working with one of my cousins to put the finishing touches on our Wortham Cousins Reunion happening this month in Grapevine, Texas. Planning a family reunion comes with its own list of details, and it's been exciting to see everything finally coming together after months of preparation.

By the time July arrived, I knew I needed to give myself permission to slow down.

Even though this Fourth of July marked the 250th anniversary of the United States, I intentionally left my calendar completely empty. No parties. No road trips. No commitments. Just a quiet weekend at home.

And it was exactly what I needed.

I did manage to finish editing all of the Patriotic Concert videos and upload them to the band's YouTube channel, which felt good to finally check off my list. Other than that, the only "productive" thing I did was watch a journaling tutorial with my sister-in-law. We both enjoy creative journaling, so it was a fun and relaxing way to spend some time together without any deadlines looming over us.

Sometimes we think every free weekend has to be filled with activities or projects, but this weekend reminded me that rest is productive too. Taking a break doesn't mean you're falling behind—it means you're giving yourself the opportunity to recharge so you can enjoy whatever comes next.

Now it's time to shift gears and look forward to seeing family at our reunion. After such a busy season of concerts and planning, I'm ready to trade concert programs and rehearsal schedules for catching up with cousins, sharing stories, and making new memories together.

Here's hoping the second half of July is filled with a little more relaxation, a lot of laughter, and plenty of time with the people who matter most.

World Cup Planning, Pirates, and New Journal Supplies

This week has been a fascinating mix of work responsibilities and personal enjoyment.

At work, I've been sitting in on meetings related to the FIFA World Cup coming to the United States this summer. It's remarkable to see just how widespread the impact will be. Nearly every routing team and every location we route from is affected in some way. These discussions have helped answer many of the questions we've had about how to continue serving stores efficiently, especially those located within a five-mile radius of the stadiums. There is still plenty of planning ahead, but it's encouraging to finally start getting concrete guidance and strategies in place. Events of this scale create unique logistical challenges, and it's been interesting to see how much coordination is required behind the scenes to keep products moving where they need to go.

On a much lighter note, I'm looking forward to this evening. Three friends and I are heading out to see Drunk Pirates, and I couldn't be more excited. Sometimes it's important to step away from work and enjoy a night of laughter and entertainment with good friends. From everything I've heard, it's going to be a fantastic time.

Another highlight of the week arrived on my doorstep today. A few months ago, I started a quarterly subscription with Archer & Olive to support my journaling hobby. I was impressed with the first box, but the second-quarter box arrived today and once again exceeded my expectations. One of the things I appreciate most is the thoughtfulness that goes into each shipment. The products are high quality, beautifully designed, and provide plenty of inspiration for future journal spreads and creative projects.

Journaling has become an important creative outlet for me, and receiving these boxes feels a little like opening a treasure chest every quarter. There is always something new to discover, whether it's stationery, accessories, or tools that encourage creativity and organization.

Overall, it's been a week of balancing large-scale planning at work with the activities and hobbies that bring joy outside of the office. Between World Cup logistics, a night out with friends, and fresh journaling supplies, there has certainly been plenty to look forward to. 

Still in the Thick of It… but Looking Ahead

I’ll be honest—I’m still feeling the burnout.

If you read my post in April, you already know I’ve been running on empty for a while now. I was hoping that by the time May rolled around, things might ease up a bit… but instead, the calendar seems to have filled itself right back up again. Between rehearsals, planning, and everything that comes with band season wrapping up, May and June are shaping up to be just as full—if not more so—than the past few months.

It’s a strange place to be—knowing you need rest, actively wanting rest, but still having so many meaningful responsibilities that require your time, energy, and heart. The work is important to me. The music is important to me. But that doesn’t magically make the exhaustion disappear.

That said, there is something on the horizon that I’m holding onto.

Later this month, Jeff and I are heading to Branson to celebrate our birthdays. And this year feels a little extra significant—turning 50 is a milestone I’m still wrapping my head around. To make it even more special, we’ll be meeting up with my mom, stepdad, my brother, and my sister-in-law. It’s not often that we all get to step away from our routines and just be together, and I’m really looking forward to that.

I’m hoping this trip gives me a chance to breathe—to laugh, to rest, to reconnect, and maybe even to reset a little before diving back into everything waiting on the other side.

Because once we return, it’s full steam ahead into preparing for the Memorial Day Ceremony and our annual patriotic concert—two events that mean so much, but also require a lot of focus and energy.

So for now, I’m somewhere in between: still tired, still stretched thin—but also grateful for something joyful ahead.

Maybe that’s what this season is about… holding space for both.

Quiet Exhaustion

There’s a quiet kind of exhaustion that doesn’t always come with a clear cause. It’s not the dramatic, crash-and-burn burnout you can point to and say, “That’s it, that’s what did it.” It’s softer than that. Sneakier. It settles in over time until one day you realize you just… don’t feel like yourself.

That’s where I am right now.

I’ve been trying to pinpoint the reason, but the truth is, it’s probably not just one thing. Maybe it’s band commitments and the constant rhythm of rehearsals and performances. Maybe it’s work. Maybe it’s the steady hum of responsibilities at home. Or maybe it’s the layering of everything at once—helping plan a family reunion for the summer, organizing a milestone birthday trip, keeping all the moving pieces of life from slipping through the cracks.

Individually, these are all good things. Meaningful things. Things I care about.

But together? They’re a lot.

Lately, I’ve noticed a shift. The motivation that usually comes so naturally has been harder to find. The excitement I typically feel for projects and plans has been replaced with a kind of emotional fatigue. It’s not that I don’t want to care—I just don’t seem to have the energy to engage the way I normally do.

And yet, there’s this one small thread keeping me grounded: planning next year’s bullet journal.

It’s funny how something so simple can feel like a lifeline. Sitting down and mapping out pages, themes, trackers, and ideas for the future gives me a sense of control and creativity that I’ve been missing elsewhere. It’s forward-looking without being overwhelming. It’s structured, but still personal. In a season where everything feels like “too much,” it’s one thing that feels just right.

At the same time, I’ve been consistent with my writing journal—something I’m quietly proud of. Every day, I’ve shown up to the page. Some days it’s just words, other days it’s layered with bits of junk journaling—scraps, textures, little pieces of life tucked into the margins. It’s become less about documenting and more about processing. Less about perfection and more about presence.

Maybe that’s part of the lesson here.

Not everything needs to be solved immediately. Not every feeling needs a clear explanation. Sometimes burnout isn’t a signal to overhaul your life—it’s a signal to slow down, to soften expectations, to find the small things that still bring a sense of calm or clarity.

I do think there’s relief on the horizon. When the concert season wraps up, when the birthday trip is behind me, when the reunion has come and gone—I imagine I’ll feel some of that weight lift. Not because those things are burdens, but because they’re temporary peaks in an already full landscape.

For now, I’m trying to give myself permission to exist in this in-between space. To keep showing up where I can, to rest where I need to, and to hold onto the small rituals that make me feel like myself.

Even if that’s just a pen, a page, and a plan for what comes next.