Happy Sunday, Hello Autumn.

I know, it has undoubtedly been a long time since I've posted last. I'm talking, snow-on-the-ground-during-my-last-interview kind of long. The short of my stint away, frankly, was the craziness of summer, but there's a very special place in my heart for autumn, so it's fitting I'm picking back up again when everything around us is starting to settle in.

Out of the eight weekends from July 5 to August 23, Domenic and I were back in Michigan for six of them for various things with fam and friends. All of reasons were great things, but we were living between our offices and a suitcase most weeks, never fully unpacking sometimes, when we knew we only had a couple of days before packing it up again.

And with both of us working full-time jobs, weekends are when we do the most exploring, and when I do most of the interviews with Chicago's business owners. So when it came to maintaining my blog, my professional life and my personal life, it was tricky to keep all the balls in the air.

Being away for so long, I'm not afraid to admit I was questioning if I should even dust off the metaphorical cover and open up the book again. It was when I was out for a drink with a friend I hadn't seen since the summer madness began, and she asked about The New Local. As timing would have it, it had been at the top of mind for a little while, and I was honest with her when I said I was nervous to pick it back up. Without skipping a beat, she said I had to get back into it – that it wouldn't be so scary once I did.

She's right, and being away gave me time to see, more than I think I've seen before, that life really is comprised of ebb and flow. It's difficult to do all the things, all the time, and give 100%, without your physical or mental health suffering. It's exhausting trying to keep all the balls in the air, and still look out for yourself and those close to you.

This summer showed me that when that happens, you have to take a step back and survey what's most important. This summer, it was celebrating new joys with family – from weddings and BBQs to homecomings and reunions. It was spending time with friends we haven't seen in a while – getting quality time in with them since we've moved away, and remembering who has always been there for us, no matter the distance. It was taking a break from the city to drive 6 hours to the tip of Michigan, take boat rides and sit by campfires.

And in doing so, it showed me sometimes you have to take a break from something, only to come back with a fresh perspective and new energy for it. I love writing. I love meeting inspiring people who are doing cool things in the city. I want this blog to stay true to its purpose and be rooted in Chicago, featuring the people who make the city so great.

I'm ready to get back to that, at whatever cadence that may be.

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This week, I have a new feature to share with you – a Chicago business that has personally helped me in a very special way. Let's just say, these women were influential in helping me find something new.😉

And if you're anything like me, fall's the time to be out and about! Here's a weekend read to keep tabs on what's going on this season.

Fall Culture Guide: 43 Essential Things to Do