How to conquer ugly Friday fears
Oh, hi friends!
The way I see it, there are two kinds of fear when it comes to trying new things, and you can sort them by asking the following:
Are you scared because it’s something you’ve never done before?
Or are you scared because it’s something you truly don’t want to do?
It’s easy to fear the unknown. Writing fiction, tasting durian, starting a business. It’s that same stomach-clenched, what’s-on-the-other-side-of-the-wall feeling you get inside a haunted house. But that kind of fear pulls you in. You’re attracted to it, for better or worse. You want to take a peek.
The other kind of fear might happen when you’re afraid of getting overwhelmed, or talking yourself into a job or assignment, or something just feels off. I’ve always felt like this kind of fear pushes you away. You’re repelled. You don’t want to see what’s on the other side of the wall. You’d rather run out of the haunted house.
Of course, things are hardly ever so black and white. But when you ask yourself—and you really listen—you might be able to discern whether your fear is pushing or pulling. And then you can act accordingly.
“No one just sits down and completes a book all at once. I try to [edit] 15 pages a day, usually at night. It feels weird to talk about some personal writing project that isn’t done, but I also think that part of the reason it always feels like everyone else is killing it and you’re falling behind is because people only give interviews and talk about what they’ve done once they’ve already done it — when they’re promoting it and it’s all over. It’s nice to be a little transparent rather than create a lot of buildup around it in my head.”
I really appreciate Tavi Gevinson talking about her work-in-progress. More people should!
Bits ’n’ Baubles
If you haven’t read the short story “Cat Person” I’ll be the millionth person to tell you that you really should. (Note for my Mom: This story isn’t actually about cats and you won’t like it. I provide the above photo of your favorite @mozstagram so you don’t feel left out.)
I found this invaluable as I start refining a podcast idea for 2018: NPR’s guide for print reporters who want to work in radio. Two quick tips: Short sentences are good, and dependent clauses are bad. (h/t Poynter)
The New York Times is hiring a Modern Love editor and the job description makes it sound like the winning candidate will be a very, very busy person. Definitely too busy for love.
Why It Feels So Good to Cancel Plans Last Minute, and How to Stop. (Is this you?)
My friend Ben Crair’s New York Times Letter of Recommendation for Indian butterscotch ice cream is as sweet and soothing as you might imagine.
The immunity bone broth at Springbone Kitchen in Greenwich Village delivered a swift KO to my sinus infection! Thanks to Kristina Roth for the recommendation.
Weekend Read is my favorite "words" app. Created by screenwriter John August, it converts script PDFs into easy-to-scroll docs you can read without using data. Plus, during awards season, you can download all the possible award show nominees—for free! I’ll be reading I, Tonya, Battle of the Sexes, The Big Sick, and a dozen others.
The 7 greatest print ads from 2017. I particularly loved the typo one. Of course. Word nerd.
Lifehacker’s best advice for saving as much as you can. (2018, here we come.)
Finally, it was so nice to be included in Lifehacker staff’s favorite email newsletters round-up. (Thanks, Alicia!)
If you’re a new subscriber, hi! I’m Kara. I send this newsletter every weekday morning around 7:30 a.m. ET (well, that’s the ideal time, sometimes it’s later...). Usually they’re quite short. Fridays are longer and link-filled. Please reply anytime—introduce yourself, say hi, let me know what you’re working on, and how I might be able to provide some value in your life! Or we can stay silent friends. That’s cool, too.
Enjoy the weekend all. See you Monday.
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Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara