Weekend Reads v. 1.11.2024
Permission to take a beat.
It feels as though every beauty and lifestyle writer I follow is having an existential crisis this week. Emails that usually deliver a fun distraction in the form of fashion and pop culture news have deviated into end-of-the-world talk. Maybe you are also feeling the weight of next Tuesday? After months of wall-to-wall conversation that veers into fear mongering on all sides, it’s reasonable to feel exhausted and perhaps frightened ahead of next week.
And yet.
Wednesday will follow Tuesday like she has a thousand times before.
Will you join me in taking care of what we listen to and watch this weekend? Will you also join me in taking special care of what we contribute to the environment around us?
Regardless of Tuesday’s outcome, we will all still exist alongside one another, come Wednesday and Thursday and every day after. Maybe that is a helpful thing to remember if you are tempted to give into thoughts of despair.
Each person on this planet has dignity. And while I know some reading this may not agree with this sentiment, I still wholeheartedly believe each person on this planet is deeply loved by God. A love that was extended before any person walking the earth today had an opportunity to earn it.
When I get frustrated at my favorite lifestyle bloggers for stirring up fear and hate in my inbox, I try very hard to stop myself and remember—they have hopes and dreams and a unique worldview just like I do. Their anxiety is real and should not be met with my cynicism or callousness.
But this does not mean I should allow them to offload their heaviness onto me.
May our coming hours be full of unexpected rest and joy as we wait on Tuesday to arrive.
And now, here are a few lighthearted reads for your weekend.
“Mundane” Halloween costumes from Japan.
The five most common reasons your haters hate you.
Do you have Squash Hands? My husband does! And this was our topic of conversation on Wednesday night. (I know, riveting dinner conversation.)
This essay about love, friendship, and politics through the eyes of the 80’s sitcom Family Ties made a powerful point that resonated with me:
“I personally would like to live in an America where people who disagree with me still want to work and play and create things with me. I would like to live in an America where we could share ideas and solve problems together. An America where neighbors can still be neighbors even if their yard signs cross-cancel each other. An America where some ties, in some sense, can still bind.”
I find these clothes styled on clotheslines to resemble animals oddly soothing. The fox is my favorite.
A good life hack: Stop trying to be cool.
The no excuse hour.
The story behind this tattoo of shrimp cocktail is moving.
One time I was headed to a Dodgers game (go, Dodgers!) and got stuck in horrendous traffic. I vividly remember this because I passed the time listening to a solid half hour of music from classic video games thanks to a local indie radio station. I kind of dug it! Nintendo just announced an app called Nintendo Music that lets you listen to Nintendo soundtracks on your phone. Random but maybe also cool?
Take care of yourself!