my current hyperfixations
also known as my ‘Mars in Cancer’ survival guide
Before we dive in, let’s catch up on what you might have missed:
I’m an astrology girl. I’m also a Cancer stellium. Both of these have everything to do with this post.
Mars is currently in Cancer, which is wrecking havoc on my sign (I’m a Cancer sun, Mercury, and Venus) as well as all cardinal signs (I’m also a Capricorn rising and Jupiter, and a Libra Pluto).
According to the solar system, my life is just going to be BRUTAL until the end of September. Yay me (and to all my fellow Cancerians, and cardinal signs).
My mind and body cope with chaos by hyperfixating on things—specific meals, a playlist, an outfit, and usually rewatching a certain show. I’ve decided to get ahead of the cosmic mess and to declare my hyperfixations now, so I can return to this list to help me reset and ground myself.
In no particular order, here are the things that are bringing me some sense of calm and control right now:
breakfast: a Chobani less sugar strawberry yogurt with a tablespoon of chia seeds, a bowl of this particular raisin bran with 2% milk, and a cup of PG Tips tea with lemon and honey instead of my second cup of coffee.
this cereal and tea was my hyperfixation when I was writing We’re Speaking, and it’s one I bring back in chaotic times to help start my day on a calmer foot.
a monochromatic outfit: Ruti pants (or their pretty good dupe) a cashmere-cotton tee, and a matching bag and cardigan/jacket (a necessary item in the hospital and a welcome addition when the weather starts to turn). I mix it up with the shoes.
I own this outfit in black, gray, olive, navy, and cream. Yes, I have a problem. No, I don’t want to fix it right now.
‘do nothing’ coffee or tea. No book, no scrolling, no music. Just the mug and myself. I do this with my first cup of coffee in the morning, and a cup of this tea at night.
Parks and Recreation - after reading this book, I’ve been rewatching the show and it genuinely leaves me feeling better. It’s also a show that doesn’t require my full attention, and one episode is all it takes to leave me feeling better.
a very minimal makeup routine and putting on some jewelry. It’s like putting on war paint and armor - makes me feel ready to take on whatever the day has in store.
this playlist - and this one as well.
I’ve become a voice memo monster. If I’m not checking in with my therapist, I’m sending a long-winded yap to a friend and eagerly wait for their reply.
preparing a skillet for dinner. Is there anything better than a melty, cheesy, hearty bowl of something delicious? Not for me. Caroline Chambers and Serena Wolf have some of the best recipes. These days, I’m throwing in a protein (an Abbot “chicken” or a Beyond Meat sun sausage, 2-3 cups of whatever vegetables I have on hand, a cup of grains, bone broth, some kind of simmer sauce, and an aggressive amount of spices. I’ll portion out the kids’ servings before I add the the spicier things.
What are you hyperfixated on right now?
things I’m loving right now
Excellent things on sale right now - a lot of audiobooks on Libro.fm, the one time a year that Hotel Lobby Candle is on sale (I picked up this one in an attempt to savor summer, if only in romanticizing my mornings like Jo Piazza).
I’m in a sci-fi/STEM romance reading mood right now. I recently read and loved Moon Rising, The Red Woman on Mars, Lunar Rendezvous. I’ll be making my way through this list, and will be re-reading Ali Hazelwood’s early books in anticipation for The Love Hypothesis film.
I’ve been beating myself up about my blergh summer, but I’m glad to be in great company with Grace Atwood.
Two things that help me sleep better - these gummies (code HITHA gets you 15% off), and a dark shower (ceiling lights on, and this one lit).
I’m planning a little witchy day for myself next month - a visit to my neighborhood magic shop and letting the universe guide me to a purchase or reading, viewing this exhibit, and seeing Practical Magic 2 in a fancy ‘bring your meal to your seat’ theater. Jury’s out if this will actually happen in a single day, or broken out into individual excursions.
It’s tiiiiiiiiiime…to start a new journal (I just finished my 17th).
I hermited a little too much this summer, and I really missed New York. In addition to the tarot exhibit, I want to check out the Revolutionary Women exhibit at the New York Historical, this dinosaur exhibit at the Natural History Museum with the kids, see Galileo, and enjoy as many author events at Symphony Space before it closes for renovations.
If you found this helpful, please consider:
tapping the ❤️ below (all engagement helps!)
tapping the 💬 and tell me something. anything!
sharing this with someone who might need it right now
Take care of yourself, the best you can.
xo,
HPN