The Sunday Letter — Issue No. 08

Dear Readers,

Happy first day of Black History Month 2026.

I almost didn’t write a letter today. The week has been slow, heavy, and a little blurry around the edges. But I couldn’t let this Sunday pass without acknowledging the start of Black History Month, especially this year.

The 2026 Black History Month theme, set by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, is “A Century of Black History Commemorations.” It marks 100 years of national efforts to study, honor, and preserve Black history, culture, and contributions, and to examine how remembrance itself has shaped Black life in the modern world.

That felt worth pausing for.

This week was what I like to call a filler episode. Nothing monumental happened, but life kept moving. The weather, honestly, has been the main character. After all the preparing we did for a potential winter storm, we mostly ended up with ice. Thankfully, we didn’t lose power, but the temperatures have been bouncing between the mid-20s, 30s, and low 40s, and that back-and-forth has been rough.

I’ve also been fighting off the flu that’s made its way through almost everyone in my house. Between the cold, the damp air, and the fatigue, I don’t think I’ve taken this many supplements since I was a kid snacking on Flintstones vitamins. Rest has been the priority, even when my brain wants to do everything at once.

This Week’s Reflection: On Showing Up Anyway

Some weeks aren’t about momentum or breakthroughs. They’re about showing up quietly, doing what you can, and letting that be enough.

I didn’t read much this week. I’m taking a pause from The Starless Sea for now. Most of my energy has gone toward writing in small bursts when they come. That, too, is a form of care.

What I've Been Watching & Reading

In between resting, I’ve been working on blog content during those little pockets of energy.

Last Wednesday, I published my full review of the 2023 K-drama Lies Hidden in My Garden.

Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing a new post to kick off Black History Month 2026:

“Why Black History Month Had to Be Created: A Century of Memory, Labor, and Resistance.”

And on Wednesday, I’ll be publishing a piece on the Secret Childhood Connection trope, because sometimes we need a little drama theory to balance out heavier conversations.

A Gentle Note for You

If this week has been quiet, heavy, or slow for you too, let that be okay.

Drink something warm.

Rest when your body asks.

Show up where you can.

And remember that even on the weeks that feel like filler, you’re still part of the story.

Until next Sunday,

Thank you for being here with me, especially at the start of a month dedicated to remembrance, reflection, and honoring the work that came before us.

Love,

Iris — xoxo