Oops, hi, I’m here
Oh, hi friends!
I didn’t write my newsletter yesterday! And because I like to investigate my own “failings” (LOL), here’s why: I was tired! Very tired! It was easier to come home and watch the one TV show that I still watch (This Is Us) than to open up my computer again.
But I knew I would write again and was OK with missing a day.
That’s because, over 426 issues later, I trust myself to do it more often than not. And to me, in this case, more often than not simply has to be enough.
There are so many narratives we tell ourselves:
Why don’t I write the big, ambitious stories I want to write?
Why am I not living up to my potential?
Why can’t I trust my instincts?
Why am I eating a grilled cheese and not a salad?
Why why whyyyyy.
Yet so long as you’re doing what you want and need to do more often than not, you know what? It’s OK! More than OK!
You are doing just fine.
Was scrolling my old Instagrams and came across this one from last year of me and my younger bro Eric crushing some stairs at 6:30 a.m. on a Wednesday with November Project.
We’ll always be climbing those stairs.
Nora Ephron detests whining: you can acknowledge a problem, but only in the service of solving it. “Nobody really has an easy time getting a movie made,” she said. “And furthermore I can’t stand people complaining. So it’s not a conversation that interests me, do you know? Those endless women-in-film panels. It’s, like, just do it! Just do it. Write something else if this one didn’t get made. It’s my ongoing argument with a whole part of the women’s movement.”
But tell us how you really feel? Hah! I think about Nora every day and loved revisiting this old profile of her. From Laura Olin’s excellent weekly newsletter.
Ellie Kemper spends lots of money on last-minute flights and ice cream. In other news: Am I Ellie Kemper?
The world’s oldest barber is 107 and still cutting hair full-time.
I get paid $6,000 a day to write inspirational quotes for Instagram. Wait...what?! This is my favorite story yet for MONEY.
“People said I was crazy to run my first marathon at 81. But that’s the great thing about being old. I can just pretend not to hear them.”
Do you want to be a published writer? Check out the new book The Byline Bible by writing professor Susan Shapiro. This comes highly recommended by one of her talented students/mentees, and the advice will be helpful to aspiring writers and anyone who needs a tune-up! (h/t Lavanya Sunkara)
Navigating a career change is tricky. Here’s some valuable advice from one artist who made the leap. (h/t Neill Beurskens)
“Women are doing all kinds of things they were not prepared for,” she said. “I think that has to be our new motto: Start before you’re ready.” Loved this from Cecile Richards, former president of Planned Parenthood, who attended the New York Times’ New Rules Summit.
Daniel Radcliffe becomes a New Yorker fact checker for a day. So charming!
I’m obsessed with Deborah Eisenberg and Wally Shawn. (h/t Atka)
Forget FOMO. Here’s how to handle FOND (aka Fear of Not Doing). My latest for Shine.
I’m too scared to do this, but inspired by what you might learn if you track every hour of your day… (h/t Aunt Gina)
Have you heard of The Secret City? Part ceremony, part salon, part show, each gathering has a different theme and an ever-changing roster of artists and performers. Featuring storytelling, live band, performance, food, meditation, The Secret City Singers, and joyful community interaction, the events are open to all with a suggested donation. Next one in LA is October 14, and New York is October 28! (h/t Tari Ayala)
Bookmarks is like Rotten Tomatoes, but for books. (h/t Cup of Jo)
And speaking of books, anyone interested in joining a book club? My friend Lavanya Sunkara is starting a group—first book is Circe by Madeline Miller—and will be meeting in mid-November on Long Island. Anyone who wants to join virtually is welcome as well! Email her lavanyasun@gmail.com for more details.
Did you read this far? Wow. Nice. Now go do your best work today and I’ll see you Monday!
Do you like these daily emails? Please share with a friend!
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara