A new chapter for Story Sippers
Story Sippers began as a little bookish corner of the internet, a place to gather, share laughs, and obsess over our latest reads.Over time, though, I have felt the pull to make this space reflect a bit more. We’re not one dimensional. Our lives are filled with both the everyday and the extraordinary. From the mundane routines that keep life moving to the magical, sometimes life-changing moments that leave their mark. We navigate joys and challenges alike, and all of these experiences are what shape us.
You may begin to notice content that is not strictly about books, whether it is a featured creative project, a wellness routine, or simply navigating the seasons of life. That is intentional. Books will always be at the heart of Story Sippers, but I want to invite you into the broader story as well.
What sparked the shift
II have had a lot of time to reflect over the last few weeks between vacation and holidays. We celebrated my husband’s 45th birthday (he jumped out of a perfectly good airplane while I happily waited for him on the ground), escaped to the country for some rest, fresh air, and wine, and soaked up the last of summer’s warmth here in Perth, even as autumn quietly began to settle in.
That downtime became the perfect moment to take stock of a lot of things – what was working, what felt a little stale, and what I wanted more of. It was not about chasing some perfect version of myself, but about making small, meaningful resets: tidying up our home (I still had luggage to put away from my trip to London in March!), reviewing our finances, fine-tuning my health routine (peri-menopause has been throwing in some surprises), and carving out time for creativity. All of this reflection is what nudged me to evolve the direction of Story Sippers.
A regular refresh to stay grounded
One of the most valuable things I have realized is that I don’t need to wait for a milestone or a new season to reset. A refresh can take many forms. For me, clearing out clutter at home lightened both the space and my mood. That momentum then flowed into other areas: reviewing our budget, planning out dinners in advance to save time and money, revamping my workout routine so I actually enjoy it, and making sure I carve out time for things I love, like crochet and reading.
I have also been paying more attention to how I can keep up with small habits so things do not build up again. For me, that looks like doing a quick tidy each morning so I can work from home in a space that feels calm, setting aside time on Saturdays to plan meals and workouts for the week ahead, and protecting space for the things that fill me up, whether that is reading, making something with my hands, or just catching up with my husband over coffee.
I have learned that it is not about overhauling everything at once. It is about choosing a few small areas that could use a little care and attention, and making space for them consistently.
On goals and motivation
My motivation ebbs and flows, much like anyone else’s, and I am learning to accept that without judgment. What helps me most is building routines I can lean on, even when the spark fades. I have been focusing on setting smaller, more realistic goals that feel meaningful to me, even if they are not impressive on the surface. Instead of aiming for perfection, I remind myself that progress counts, even when it is slow or quiet.
Lately, my goals have included things like adding just one or two strength workouts to my week, planning simple meals that make dinners less stressful, or working toward completing a crochet project without rushing it. I have also started reflecting more when things slip. Rather than getting frustrated, I ask myself why something fell through and whether it still matters to me. Sometimes I realize it was not the right goal in the first place, or that my desires have simply shifted — and giving myself permission to adjust instead of berating myself for missing it has made such a difference.
What has made the biggest impact overall is shifting my focus to consistency and small, frequent wins – especially in areas where I am more likely to lose momentum. I can be a bit obsessive-compulsive by nature, which means that when I am passionate about something, I often go all in. I can hyperfocus on a project (like this website) for ten hours straight to get it live, then come back over time to refine it. Or with crochet, I threw myself into learning and practicing for three weeks until I finished my first project, and then immediately jumped into another, and another.
But not everything in life thrives under that same intensity. With things like going to the gym, I have learned that small, achievable goals are what keep me moving forward. If I am not up for a full workout, fifteen minutes on my yoga mat can be enough. It turns out that the little victories and being consistent over time matter far more in the long run than occasional bursts of big effort. Giving myself permission to adjust instead of berating myself for missing a goal has made such a difference. Letting go of the pressure to do it all perfectly has opened up space for more joy, more curiosity, and more compassion toward myself.
As Story Sippers moves into its next chapter, I hope you will stick around for the journey. Whether you come here for the books, the creative inspiration, or just a little company along the way, there is always space for you here.
I can’t wait to see where this takes us.
