A gentle close to the week
9 things that made life brighter and better / Issue 1,463
Oh, hi friends!
How are we doing? Did we make it?
I think we made it!
Acclimating is tough, isn’t it?
We must nudge our way back into old habits, try to cling to any new ones, and balance the urgent against the important, over and over again, in various shifting, noodle-y shapes.
So maybe let this be one space to recognize what you’ve gained lately.
Time doesn’t simply pass; you’re changed, in ways big and small.
Now might be the perfect time to feel those gains: brave leaps, set boundaries, miles accrued.
Now might also be the perfect time to say: Today has the potential to be very, very good.
9 Things Making Life Brighter & Better
Despite watching maybe two scary movies in my entire life, Colin and I have been on an absolute horror film tear. Their creativity really popped my preconceived notions of an entire genre! Some favorites: The Babadook, It Follows, Talk to Me, The Blackcoat’s Daughter, Birth/Rebirth (Marin Ireland!), Watcher, and The Deeper You Dig.
After basically ignoring email all summer (whoops), on returning I asked myself one question: Would I choose to read this, if it wasn’t already in my inbox? It’s a tough question, but tough questions can create better filters for what we choose to consume.
There are not one, but TWO coyotes living in Central Park! Start of a rom-com?
How do you know when you should ask for help with something? I love the brilliant advice gathered by my professional organizer friend Linda Samuels, and shared a tidbit there myself. Linda also said something wise about the changing seasons that’s really stuck with me: “I'm gearing up now for a fuller rest of the year." Not busier, not crazier, but fuller. Great framing.
Ours is a Mets household, and it’s been so fun watching these guys play. One of my faves is José Iglesias, who’s also a Latin pop star under the name Candelita. His “Omg” is my song of the summer!
You know I’m all about tools. I’ve been using Fathom a lot lately. It takes notes on your Zoom calls and summarizes your meetings. And it’s free!
The Olympics feel like six years ago? Still, finding out what Olympians eat for breakfast was a trip. Skittle, cornflakes, salami sandwiches? Yes.
Take a leap: a case for pitching yourself before you’re ready, by Cher Hale. Also really inspired by the conversation about “courage capital” with
on the wonderful Podcast!Finally, from the singular
, on fretting over whether you have talent: “In the end, as Robert Frost once said (or as I always say he said): ‘Don’t worry; work.’”
This feels like the tip of the iceberg — gosh, I was gone for a long time! — but I’ll stop here for now…
I would love to hear what made your week a little brighter! Songs, snacks, books, good news? Tell me everything.
And have a restful weekend, friends. See you very soon.
Doing a Happy Dance because your emails are back in my inbox - Truly! I look forward to them. Thank You xx
Hi Kara - it's me - back from two weeks in South Korea. This is the first newsletter waiting for me and I could not not send a comment.
"Acclimating is tough, isn’t it?" YES. It is very, very tough.
Thank you for the advice to "balance the urgent against the important." Coming back is overwhelming, and I wasn't quite sure why. But, as you said, I'm not the same person I was when I left; I have changed.