no. 25: april digest
the best things I saw, read, heard, ate and shopped this month, including a deep dive on my open tabs, my new favorite cookbook, and the colorful cross body bag I can't stop thinking about
Hello and welcome to the monthly digest, a round up of the best things I’ve read, watched, listened to, eaten, and so on and so forth!
If March was an ultramarathon, April flew by before I even really registered it was here. With two weekend trips (one to Ohio for the eclipse, and one to New Mexico for a brief family obligation) and an increasingly active toddler, things have been absolutely rapid fire with no signs of stopping. I’m embracing the energy of the changing seasons – and thinking about something that a favorite yoga teacher said once that has always stuck with me.
She was talking about seasonality, and how the work of winter’s dormancy is what paves the way for the blooms of spring - that the time to intentionally rest, and conserve energy is not wasted. That alone is a concept that feels so grounding and reassuring, but the real kicker for me was thinking about all the phases the flowers in my neighborhood go through in spring.
They do not all burst forth together, in one single grand announcement of spring. They ebb and flow, each peaking and fading at different points as they usher us towards the glory that is Seattle Summer. Daffodils and then tulips, cherry blossoms and then irises, poppies and then peonies, then dahlias, then sunflowers, then hydrangeas, and so on and so on until the frosts of late fall. None are late, just blooming in their own time.
I’m taking my cues from the flowers this month, and giving myself grace in the areas where I’m definitely feeling behind or creatively stunted. Upon reflection, April was a month of growth - looking forward to seeing how things bloom in the months to come.
xx,
reading
If you’re reading between the lines of my open tabs and current reading list and have come to the conclusion that I’m tap dancing on the line between escapism and existentialism… you’d be right! It’s been validating to read thoughts from so many writers I admire as I consider my own relationship to work, productivity, “passion careers”, the elusive ability to have it all (including the validity of our hobbies and interests).
Open tabs;
9 Incredible Air BnB’s Worth Building a Trip Around,
Was so excited to be asked to contribute to this piece from one of my favorite newsletters! I shared the dreamy cabin curated by the folks behind Glasswing that’s been on my “to-stay” list for years. The list includes so many gems to inspire your next trip.
When your Profession Is On Fire ,
If I know one thing about the earlybird community it’s that there are *so many* of us who work in purpose or passion jobs - and who feel the struggle to feel like you’re doing enough, working enough, good enough. Appreciated this reflection on The Passion Job Burnout Machine.- Cool is the ultimate fashion descriptor, but what does it actually mean? An interesting reflection on the series of choices and ongoing discipline of cool.
The glamorization of the workplace,
. What do you do when an entire generation was “raised to believe that work is more than a way to make a living, it’s a vocation, a calling, a source of meaning and fulfillment”? (are we sensing a theme yet?)No such thing as the end of the to-do list,
We know the to-do list never ends, and yet the anxiety persists. Nic explores the guilt and shame this prompts, and the eye opening question “what if this were not a problem?”.Yes, Chef - The Cut. Enjoyed this profile of model-chef Pierce Abernathy, who’s been a favorite follow for a few years now.
- As with most of Nora’s pieces, this one came to me at exactly the right time while I navigate my own burnout.
- Deeply reassuring to know that I’m not alone in feeling like fashion is a weirdly embarrassing hobby in real life? Love the ode to the fact that fashion is a genuine interest and a worthy pursuit.
Books
As I did last spring when I was navigating my own return to work postpartum, I am balancing the weight of all that existentialism with pure fantasy in my reading selections. Last year it was the entire A Court of Thorns and Roses series in like.. Six weeks? and this year I’m continuing the trend with the rest of Sarah J. Maas’s other series, Throne of Glass. I’m enjoying it more than ACOTAR, which surprised me!
Queen of Shadows - Book #4. Teenage assassin Celaena Sardothien reclaims her identity and role as Queen Aelin Galathynius. The Avengers, Assemble episode of this series where Queen Aelin begins collecting and establishing her court.
Empire of Storms: Book #5: Queen Aelin begins the long, arduous fight to claim her throne and fight the mounting evil. There is magic, there is geopolitical drama, there is long simmering sexual tension and secret plots. Love to see it.
Tower of Dawn - Book #6. A side quest! In a parallel book to Book #5, Teenage assassin queen’s friends go on a big journey, complete with new worldbuilding, excellent new characters and new lore.
Kingdom of Ash- Book #7. I’ll be honest with y’all: I was at the mercy of the library holds system, and forgot which book came in which order, and got about halfway through Book 7 before I realized I’d skipped Book 6. (EoS and ToD occur in parallel covering different characters journeys at the same time before reconverging in KoA, so it all made sense until… it didn’t ). I circled back and am about halfway through the Avengers, Endgame episode. All the storylines are coming together as they fight to save the world, and I’m already bummed for this series to be over.
Up next: Rouge, Mona Awad
Kids books: As I’ve said before, I spend a *lot* of time reading children’s books, usually about 87 times in a row.
Brave Bears - baby Bear and their dad go on an adventure, learning lessons about resilience along the way. (my own Little Bear is obviously obsessed).
Wishy Washy - I’ve shared before about other books we love by Tabitha Paige, a professional artist and licensed speech therapist. This one is focused on first words and colors, and it’s been so fun to see Little Bear pick things up and start to call out colors and objects in real life. (personal favorite: a new hobby of pointing out all the things that a “bloooooooooo"!)
Felt Busy Board - With all the travel recently, have so appreciated this Montessori style little felt activity book with Little Bear — we are attempting to survive long flights without introducing screen time for as long as possible, and we’ve found a lot of success with this one for keeping him engaged and happy while learning fine motor skills. win win.
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