Life just whizzes past unless you make time for yourself

(Newsletter March 2019)

Hey friends, 

I’m in full on ‘pit stop’ mode at the moment. In a few hours, I’ll be boarding a flight to visit pals in the UK. I’ve been travelling a lot this past while - mostly for work. It gets me in this very specific mode of packing things, prepping things, always living in what future Clare will need (breakfast, clean clothes, an hour with a book) and preparing for that. I’m grateful for my life, even during these busy spurts. But, I also need to take care of myself. Life just whizzes past unless you make time for yourself. 

I haven’t had much time to write, aside from my compulsive journalling habit. But I did manage to get some old pieces up on my website, especially this one. I wrote it in angsty burst before walking to work in August 2016. I found the ‘I’m thankful that’ prompt via Emily’s Skillshare class, and it was published in this daily newsletter. At the time, it was my first “published” thing in 2+ years. It was such a relief to have it out in the world.

Some recent recommendations: 

Big thanks to William for recommending this interview between Hannah Gatsby and Monica Lewinsky in response to my last newsletter. Sticking with podcasts for a moment, Ezra Klein’s conversations with Michael Pollan on psychedelics and with Melaine Joy on carnism have really stayed with me.

I’ve spent much of February feeling buoyed and understood by Milck’s music. I, like many, discovered her after this viral video at the 2017 Women’s March. If you liked that vibe, you’ll love her latest EP. 

I saw a couple of great movies this month, all of which I recommend: If Beale Street Could Talk, The Wife and The Green Book. (If you’re interested in the movie, you should also read Wesley Morris’s piece titled: “Why do the Oscars keep falling for racial reconciliation fantasies?”)

It’s been a great reading month too. I devoured and adored Sunshine by Melissa Lee Houghton, Peach by Emma Glass, Becoming Wise by Krista Tippet, Now My Heart is Full by Laura June and Educated by Tara Westover. (More to come on my latest reads very soon - I’m planning something fun :)

I found the ‘Me and White Supremacy’ workbook via Ann Friedman’s wonderful newsletter, and have been working my way through it. If you’re white (or white-passing), I recommend that you do too. 

I loved ‘Since Parkland’. It’s a partnership between student and professional journalists to share 1,200 stories in the aftermath of the Parkland shooting. It’s both very moving and a great testament to the power of digital media to tell big, beautiful, multi-formatted stories. 

If you’re looking for a quick, emotional read, I recommend Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s fictionalised call with a Delta representative. (It doesn’t sound like it’s gonna be good, but she’s a master and it is!)

Thanks for reading,
Clare x