Filling My Cup with ESPN Media Day, Summer Reads, and Back to School Prep

WOW - I am riding a high this week!! I feel like I am living out my dreams and trying to focus on the accomplishments instead of the "when is the other shoe going to drop?" self doubt that creeps in.

I truly feel like I am living out my dreams and really trying to appreciate these milestones rather than focusing on the “when is the other shoe going to drop??” feeling that can creep in. Unfortunately, when I’m experiencing a high, my mind automatically thinks up the “worst case scenario” for what is to come. You can’t always live in a high so it might be in preparation for the next wave of life, but I’m working on ignoring the little devil on my shoulder and relishing this moment. I feel like a walking ad for To Be Magnetic right now but I say all this as a reminder to CHASE YOUR DREAMS!!! I am experiencing things that I hoped would come into fruition for years but never really believed were possible until recently… so this is your reminder to let go of your limiting beliefs and thrive my lovers.

Conversations with Cam

What I’m Watching

• Manifesting TikTok - This combines two of my favorite things (chatGPT and manifesting) and it took my group text by storm. Although I’m a big fan of chatGPT, I’ve never used it this way and found it incredibly eye-opening. You submit your wildest dreams and ask chatGPT to “tell me the story of a day in my dream life as my future self who has all this already”. Prepare to BAWL. My friends and I were sending all of our stories back and forth and it was so inspirational (and a bit comical). HIGHLY recommend trying this exercise and reading the story over and over.

What I’m Reading

• Mothers Are Told That Natural Childbirth is Best. It Isn’t. - I absolutely loved this article. It relayed a lot of my feelings regarding other people’s opinions on my decision to formula feed my baby. If you’re a new mom, I suggest reading this and watching this on that topic… if you’re new here, I’m team do whatever the f*ck you want with your body. If you’re questioning formula feeding due to external opinions, fed is best and the way you feed your baby does not define your success as a mother!!!

• Just for the Summer (Part of Your World, #3) - This review might upset some people (based on all the recs I received), but it’s my least favorite Abby Jimenez book thus far. I started this before Part of Your World (#2) and Yours Truly (#2) and I DNF’d it. After loving the other books, I gave this another try. While I appreciated the mental health tie-ins and the sacrifices the male made for his family, I couldn’t get into the characters. Something about the Reddit threads / DMs being the start of their relationship also pushed me away. I prefer to live in a fantasy world when I’m reading and this felt way too 2024. If you love the series I’d try it, but I’m not shouting it from the rooftops.

• Happily Ever After Playlist (The Friend Zone, #2) - After reading the Part of Your World Series and becoming Abby Jimenez’s biggest fan, I ran to this. It’s my favorite male/female POV and a “feel good” love story about a musician male lead that had me smiling ear to ear. To no surprise, I appreciated how the author wove a serious mental health topic into the book (female character faces deep loss/grief). Low level of spice so it’s a safe pick for anyone - highly recommend!!

• Life’s Too Short (The Friend Zone, #3) - Continuing with the Abby Jimenez month, I started the third of her “Friend Zone” series. Unfortunately, I DNF’d (did not finish) this. I don’t know if it was the fact that this hit too close to home so I found it uninteresting or because I want to escape to an alternate reality so modern day stuff like this turns me off, but I didn’t want to read about the female character being an influencer. I stopped about 25% of the way through, but I’m open to picking it back up if people feel strongly about it.

• 28 Summers - This book absolutely BROKE me. It’s a love story about two people with an agreement to meet in Nantucket every Labor Day over the span of 28 years. Although the male character is technically having an affair, I surprisingly found myself on everyone's side (the wife, the male lead, the other female, etc.) and my heart hurt for all of them. When I tell you I SOBBED like a baby at the end, I am not lying. Written from a third person perspective with zero spice, but very much recommend regardless.

I also kept up with my monthly book roundup and shared my thoughts here…

cameronoaksrogers

A post shared by @cameronoaksrogers

What I’m Loving

• Leopard Jeans - I’ve been on the hunt for a good pair of printed jeans and I am obsessed with these. I love the cargo style and the fit is impeccable. I also ordered these after seeing them everywhere, but they were huge (and the quality was poor IMO).

• Navy Tennis Dress - I wore this dress to the US Open with FP Movement last week and it is one of the comfiest and most flattering athletic outfits in the world. I will absolutely order more colors and wear them all fall (with a sweatshirt tossed on top). HUGE fan!

  

What My Family is Loving

• Personalized Name Stamp - Now that we’re back to school and every thing going into the classroom must be labeled (for little kids), this stamp is a life (and time) saver.

How I’m Filling My Cup

• Living out my dreams and celebrating my wins!!! I’m kind of beating a dead horse here but I’m in awe of what’s happened over the past 5 years and, specifically, the past few months. I’m so grateful for this community that has grown, supported, and encouraged me every step of the way. You are the reason why I am here, the reason I show up, and the reason I am able to do all these incredible things and it is massively filling my cup!