Hello hello!
I’m very late, but I’m alive. And we’re back to a Monday send date for this week, lol. I greatly underestimated what starting a new job, grieving, traveling for work, and still trying to squeeze a little enjoyment out of every day would mean for the time I have to craft this little newsletter, but I’m figuring it out!
One of the most helpful things I’ve learned about myself in the past year, is that I have a squiggly brain. I learned this term from Michelle at Holisticism, who has been creating content and Notion courses specifically for people who think non-linearly (they are the best virtual courses I’ve ever taken, hands down).
You might have a squiggly brain if you’re creative, smart, and intuitive, but you have trouble prioritizing what’s important (deciding to reorganize your closet when you just need to get dressed), are motivated by stress (waiting until the last minute to pay a parking ticket), or have an out of sight, out of mind mentality (always forgetting to text friends back).
Realizing that I’m actually NOT a bad person failing at seemingly normal life tasks and I just have a good ol’ squiggly brain has been seriously life changing.
I now find a lot of freedom in the way my brain processes differently, but I also have to spend more time building systems that work for me, organizing information, and integrating changes.
This is why I have a love affair with Notion and make templates for EVERYTHING. I’m honestly not that much of an organization freak, I’ve just found that I can function much better if I give my brain structure, systems, and order of operations.
According to Michelle, squiggly brain people often need ALL the puzzle pieces up front to be able to put the puzzle together. And right now, I feel like I’ve got all my pieces, but my puzzle is one of those goddamn gradient puzzles… so I’m just starting with the border 😅
Hopefully once I’ve got my pieces a little more organized I can invest more time and energy into writing and creating this newsletter on a consistent basis (still have a rough draft on the concept of Nostos sitting in my notes!!).
But for now, it’ll be a little squiggly 🙃
Until next time,
Hannah
🎵 Song of the Week
Thanks to my new job at Flow Club, I’ve been spending a lot of time sifting through the best workflow music. My current fave is Parra for Cuva because it’s upbeat and inspiring, but instrumental so it doesn’t distract me.
📚 Things to Read
Since my grandma’s death and reading the book Face, I’ve been thinking more about what it means to “age gracefully.” I loved this practical yet poignant essay by longtime NYT Personal Health columnist Jane E. Brody — who recently retired from the NYT after almost 60 years! (NYT)
One more from my new aging + well-being icon: a reflection on the evolution of health advice that’s occurred since she joined the NYT in 1965. We’ve come a long way over the past 60 years. Curious to see what gets debunked, proven, and clarified in the coming decades (NYT)
Ever look around your home and think, “what am I trying to go for here???” This home style quiz + accompanying blog post depending on your answers was highly accurate, inspiring, and actually helpful. My style was “Pottery Studio,” tell me yours!
🍴 Things to Cook
Tortellini Soup with Italian Sausage and Kale — I recommended this in my last newsletter before I made it, but I can now say with 1000% certainty: MAKE THIS SOUP ASAP (The Modern Proper)
15-Minute Chile-Lime Salmon Tacos — I’ve decided that Kitchn recipes are kind of “meh” after cooking a whole week’s worth of them, but this one was the one that stood out because it was so quick and easy.
Quick Pickled Cucumbers — There was a period of time where I made a batch of these once a week to top every meal. I’ve been into spicy pickles lately, so I’d like to figure out the best way to give this recipe some heat.
Not a recipe, but some laughs for those who use the NYT cooking app and/or follow the account @nytcookingcomments.
💪 Things to Try
After hours of research for the perfect laptop + travel backpack, I landed on Day Owl’s The Backpack, and I couldn’t be more happy. I got the pale olive color and my favorite features are the insulated water bottle sleeve (can’t tell you how many times I’ve screwed a cap on wrong and soaked my bag), multiple easy-to-access pockets, and the suitcase handle strap. It’s also B Corp certified and has a circular, sustainable biz model. You can get 20% off with this code if you’re interested!
Even though it’s warming up, I want to keep up with my newfound crochet hobby, so I just got a kit from Wool And The Gang to make this cute little lace-up top in Timberwolf (use this link to get 15% off). Hopefully it turns out better than the mittens I recently made that look like LARPing gear according to my boyfriend 😞
Have a recommendation of your own to share? Drop it in the comments! I’m currently looking for carry-on suitcase recs 😊
OMGGGG! "Out of sight of mind" soo me, I have a bunch of post-it, google task, use miro, write multiple task everywhere, AND I CREATE NOTION TEMPLATE FOR EVERYTHING TOOO! When I read this I just woooowwww so im not alone LOL
I guess I have a squiggly brain too. lol I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your grandma 💔 Loving substack btw :)