Noticing | Volume 3
+ Ads and the Olympics
I’m not good at sports or watching them, but I am excited about keeping up with the Olympics this year and interested in being part of the fun. It is so inspiring to see people achieve excellence like this. I can’t believe they start on Friday! I have a vivid memory of the 2008 Olympics. It was the first time we got a flat-screen TV, and we watched Michael Phelps every chance we got. Then, we begged for our parents to take us to the pool. I love this Olympic-related ad Jcrew did in NYC. And this one by Caudalie making a joke about how Paris cleaned out the Seine. Do I like the marketing more than the games? Maybe! What events are you looking forward to?
+ Identifying Friction
I listened to a podcast (I’m on a Mel Robbins kick) this week that prompted listeners to make a list of all the things that are causing friction in their lives. This could be emotional, logistical, work-related, relationship-based, etc. I find the word “friction” really helpful. After months of “being in the trenches,” I feel light and less stressed this week. I’ve been trying to take inventory to see why (so I can duplicate), and I’ve noticed that it has a lot to do with while I was away in Michigan, I made a list of all the things bugging me and got to work on them. Things like making doctor's appointments, responding to texts, clearing out my email, fixing my savings accounts, getting my blood drawn, figuring out my accounting, planning for Migrate team growth, and even clearing up conflicts. When thinking about my year and zooming out from life’s upkeep, I’ve found therapy so helpful because it serves as a container to find the root of friction in my heart, soul, and mind. We can shoot to achieve more, have more experiences, or make a goal to get more “good” in our lives, but I feel it’s not until we can face this friction that we can start to experience the ease we are after. What friction are you feeling? Make a list and get after it.
+ 4,000 Weeks
I can’t stop talking about this book. It has helped me sort through my (unhealthy) productivity obsession. I’ll leave these quotes here, and you can order a copy here.
“It’s alarming to face the prospect that you might never truly feel as though you know what you’re doing, in work, marriage, parenting, or anything else. But it’s liberating, too, because it removes a central reason for feeling self-conscious or inhibited about your performance in those domains in the present moment: if the feeling of total authority is never going to arrive, you might as well not wait any longer to give such activities your all—to put bold plans into practice, to stop erring on the side of caution. It is even more liberating to reflect that everyone else is in the same boat, whether they’re aware of it or not.”
“Productivity is a trap. Becoming more efficient just makes you more rushed, and trying to clear the decks simply makes them fill up again faster. Nobody in the history of humanity has ever achieved “work-life balance,” whatever that might be, and you certainly won’t get there by copying the “six things successful people do before 7:00 a.m.” The day will never arrive when you finally have everything under control—when the flood of emails has been contained; when your to-do lists have stopped getting longer; when you’re meeting all your obligations at work and in your home life; when nobody’s angry with you for missing a deadline or dropping the ball; and when the fully optimized person you’ve become can turn, at long last, to the things life is really supposed to be about. Let’s start by admitting defeat: none of this is ever going to happen. But you know what? That’s excellent news.”
“The world is bursting with wonder, and yet it’s the rare productivity guru who seems to have considered the possibility that the ultimate point of all our frenetic doing might be to experience more of that wonder.”
+ Silent Retreat
I try to keep a yearly practice of visiting the monks and entering into complete silence for a weekend. I’m going next weekend. I can’t wait. When I’m there, it feels like I’m in a really good hospital or rehab program or something. Every time, I’m amazed to find how much my body needs to settle. My nervous system needs to be turned off. If you need permission, you can clock out. You do have the courage to be quiet. I plan on taking this book (one of my all-time favorites on prayer).
+ European girlies
I can’t get enough of these Euro girls and their outfits. I think Copenhagen is calling my name. Collected some inspo below:
+ Breville and beans and not waiting until your wedding registry
To my Prime Day delight, I found I had a credit on my Amazon account that pretty much covered a new Breville machine. I have always said I wouldn’t get one until I could put it on my wedding registry. I’m noticing a lot here. I am 25 with a full life of my own. I don’t plan to get married soon. Why wait? This reminds me of this reflection on building a home as a single woman. And also — what beans do I buy? I think I’m ready to become a coffee snob.
+ This podcast on triggers
Another Mel Robbins fave. Very helpful! Listen here.
+ This French Pharmacy favorite
When I went to Europe last year, my mom and I raided the French Pharmacy. A year later, I still love this Nuxe body oil. It smells so good, and it is amazing on the legs, the ends of the hair, etc. Summer glow plz!
+ The Last Thing He Told Me
Watching on Apple TV with my friend Alex. 1. Watching a show with your long-distance friend is a fantastic activity. 2. I read this book and loved it. We’re only one episode in, but it feels so well done.
+ More cherries
Following up on my cherry trend theory from last week. Spotting them everywhere. Love these glasses.