Web Witch's Grimoire: Summer 2026

The year flies by when you're postpartum, sleep-deprived and your little bubba is suddenly on the move and making developmental leaps. Time is this sort of weird compressed experience, not dissimilar to the way I felt about COVID and 2020 (wasn't that just yestersday? No indeed it was not, it was 6 years ago). And I'm a bit discombobulated as September is upon us. Budget planning at work? Didn't I just do budget planning for 2026?

I went back to work in June, which has been an adjustment and prompted many an identity crisis, but at the same time I am happy to be back and doing lots of soul-searching. I'm in a better place than the start of the summer.

Part of the soul-searching has been prompted by AI and the state of tech that I re-entered into. I still hate how it is being shoved down our throats and the prioritization of data centers, especially in places experieincing drought. Everyone should have access to water and humans should be prioritized over a data center. Full stop.

For my current role, it has been extremely helpful in speeding up mundane tasks like compiling reports, and giving me more time to spend on things like design and social media content, which I historically had barely enough time for.

But I continue to be baffled by AI and its bubble. The IPO valuations seem wildly ridiculous, and I've seen the salaries offered to people and I wonder how it is even remotely sustainable. I also hate the fearmongering and the polarizing content ("AI is going to replace [your industry of choice here]") to create engagement bait that has come with the commercialization of this technology.

It is a horrible and interesting time in tech. I have seen many qualified people laid off because of "cost-cutting", and it's not right.

Summer Bits #

We survived multiple heatwaves in South East England, and while I'm told there were four, it really felt continous up until a week or two ago. I've kept the windows open and the house chilly in the morning because it is a relief. The first heatwave in May was stressful as hell, with Chloe about to be 5 months and trying to keep her cool while our upstairs rose to 28 C.

The number of parents lamenting online about the lack of knowledge sharing in prenatal classes about how to keep a baby cool in hot weather was more than zero. We all knew the safe sleep guidelines said 17-21 C but wtf are you supposed to do when you can't get any part of your house that cool? It was stressful and horrible, but it's over for now. I think.

My dog Vogue has had health issues since last October and we have finally got to a point where I have not had to take her to the vet in about a month or so. She's on heart meds and has mitral valve heart disease. Her heart is quite enlarged but we're managing. She rides in the bottom of Chloe's pram for walks so she still gets to go out and about. I love her to bits, I can't believe she's 14 and I cherish the time I have remaining with her.

The Patio #

While it became increasingly apparent that we will need more space when Chloe is older, I decided to make the most of what we have and asked our landscapers to put a patio in off the back of the house, and they finished it in early July.

It has become a daily sanctuary, and I'm sad the nights are getting shorter. There was a good 3-4 weeks when we were outside eating dinner.

Yorkshire Coast #

We didn't leave the country this year for my birthday. I can't remember why it didn't quite work out, but we took our first overnight trip with Chloe up to the Yorkshire Coast and Whitby. It was beautiful and by the time we eventually found our groove with Chloe and naps and going out to do things, it was already time to leave.

I love the sea, and it was lovely to be along the coast for a few nights. Will hopefully make a more permanent move along a coastline at some point.

Family coming to visit #

My mother came to visit for 3 weeks and help with Chloe which was so lovely for her to get that time bonding with her granddaughter. She also got to see Chloe make some big development leaps even in the short time she was here.

Then my sister came and stayed with us for a week. We went to Wrest Park, London and Warwick Castle and Chloe loved it all. I only wish both my mom and sister could have stayed longer.

What I've been... #

Watching #

A lot of reality TV. I've just been hella into Bravo shows more than usual.

• Ladies of London: The New Reign - It was the best Bravo show I've watched in a long time. Interesting characters who felt more authentic than Real Houswives. I am gutted it was not renewed. I want more of Mark and Martha!
• The Valley - More reality TV. Oddly comforting as the new season started when I was 3-4 months postpartum and two of the women on the series were also at that stage of postpartum so it made me feel a bit normal and seen.
• House of the Dragon - Season 3 was way better than 2.
• Rooster - Love a Steve Carrell show. It was different. I enjoyed it.
• Dutton Ranch - Ridiculous and outlandish like Yellowstone but entertaining.

And it's Premier League season again babyyyy. Though I am extremely sad Arsenal sold Trossard. Boooo. But I'm thrilled there has been so much football on.

Reading #

Ha - it is taking me months to finish books at this particular moment in time. Glad I read so many last year.

• I did finish Crescent City #3 House of Flame and Shadow back in April.
• I started Brimstone (Fae & Alchemy #2) but could not stay engaged, so I DNF. I know book one was ripped apart because of the writing, but I was entertained. I couldn't look past the writing this time.
• I am currently making my way through the first book of Dungeon Crawler Carl.

Other Bits #

In this process of soul-searching and finding my identity as a mother, I am back to the state of mind prompting me to ask "why not?" when something comes up. So I bought a Pioneer DDJ-FLX4 to learn how to DJ and have been rediscovering the music I so love at festivals and feeling re-energized about something new. I'm loving mixing and am excited to see where this takes me.

I've also decided to go back to school. Not your normal school though. I have become deeply interested in astrology and am going to pursue that for fun. Looking forward to being in a classroom setting again.

Because why the hell not?