A gentle close to the week

And 8 things that made life better / Issue 1,206

Oh, hi friends!

When you’re making something, I think you can hold two competing ideas in your head.

1. This is the greatest piece of art that’s ever been created.

2. I have no idea yet how I’m going to make it great.

You have to have confidence and doubt. 

You have to stretch and search.

But don’t do the same thing you’ve always done.

This exists in the world. Think about it!

8 Things That Made Life Better This Week

• These True Lemon packets are what I’m calling a “small daily luxury.” (This is my idea of luxury, yes.) Sprinkle in water for a refreshing zing!

• Loved this deep dive into “Here We Are,” Stephen Sondheim’s final musical premiering this fall. (h/t Durra Leung!) Especially loved this quote: “Everything has to feel inevitable. That’s where Steve’s eye went, to the big and small things that made for inevitability.”

• “Peanut is a sassy little chicken — if she doesn’t get her blueberry yogurt in the morning, I definitely hear about it.” Meet 21-year-old Peanut, the world’s oldest chicken. (h/t Colin — Mom and Dad, you will love this one!)

• We’re a full year late to watching Julia, the Max series about the life of Julia Child, but oh my gosh, it is delightful! Wonderful writing and “theater people” cameos galore. Season two premiering this fall. Watch, watch! 

• My friend Danielle Friedman profiled 97-year-old Elaine LaLanne, wife of the late fitness icon Jack LaLanne, who has a morning exercise routine to envy. The most inspiring story I read all week.

• For all my Oppenheimer fans, Chris Nolan is doing an event at the CUNY Graduate Center on Oct. 11. In-person sold out, but livestream is available! 

• “Writing a page a day doesn't sound like much, but if you do it every day you'll write a book a year. That's the key: consistency. People who do great things don't get a lot done every day. They get something done, rather than nothing.” Trying to live by these words, from How to do great work, by Paul Graham.

• Finally, we’re four days out from the publication of Do It (or Don’t): A Boundary-Creating Journal! I haven’t done a stellar job posting or talking about it or planning for it, but you know what? I am actually using the strategies I share in it.

I’m defining my priorities, blocking off time, making my project as easy as possible, saying no to other stuff, resting — and, most importantly, actually doing the thing. (This was another very fruitful week for the Marathon musical!) 

All we can ask is to feel good about our decisions in the moment. 

Tomorrow may look different, but this moment — right now — is where you get to decide.

What do you want to do? What do you not want to do?

Cheering you on with either decision.

Btw, here’s the journal on Amazon and Bookshop. Order now and you’ll get it the day it’s released and we can be boundary fiends together!!

PS — If you missed Tuesday’s podcast with professional organizer Linda Samuels, here it is! I’ve already heard from so many people who love her gentle morning and evening routines and “not-to-do list” tips.

PPS — Launch the Plane sessions are flying this month; very limited availability in September. Book here if you are looking for accountability and consulting on getting your project moving.

PPPPS — OK, that’s really it for now. I’m stopping. Really.

PPPPPS — Do it! Or don’t! The choice is yours.

From Do It (or Don’t)