Turn it on in a new kind of bright
A life update, some rabbit holes, and a reading list.
I had delusions of grandeur about what I’d hit publish on for this week and I even finished a piece or two, but I decided to hold them for later. My dear friend Bruce reminded me that Lorde’s emails exist and I read this letter she sent last week and decided to pivot. Inspired by her honesty and intricacy, I thought I might just give you an update on my life, as it’s been a while.
The most notable change in my realm right now is that I’m not using Instagram as I once did. I used to be on it daily, for hours at a time. Now I have a handy app (One Sec) that I can block myself from the app for hours on end. I’ve been doing at least 8-10 hours a day blocked from it, and it’s been a really helpful way for me to get back into my body. Scrolling on social media is the surest way I sever the mind body connection. One minute I’m sitting outside, aware of the way the light is changing with the seasons, reading a book, and another I’m totally zapped in on the infinite scroll forgetting that I have a body and a mind entirely, steel faced and emotionless. I’m still on it, and still posting on occasion. I have some travel coming up and we’ll see how I use it then. I’m trying to be mindful of how I feel on the app, but I’m not ready to say goodbye forever.
With that has come a lot of questions about career that I still don’t have an answer to.
I am still working at a small design agency, and I am trying to figure out what my next iteration of self motivated work is at the same time.
I am booking photo projects in a much more limited capacity, but have been working on some of the most fun and interesting work I’ve taken on yet. I’m not ready to walk away from photography, but I have scaled back significantly. I am still interested in projects you might have though, so don’t hesitate to reach out. Best case scenario, I’m a great fit. Worst case scenario, I’ll find you someone fantastic to shoot your project.
For the past 6 months I’ve been working with consulting clients, 2-3 a month on various projects. I’ve helped several people launch newsletters, optimize for press, and I’m even working on helping plan an outdoor concert right now. It’s been a fascinating endeavor to talk with people who are restructuring or trying to organize themselves as small business owners. I have thoroughly enjoyed this work.
I’ve described the next couple of months as my feral season, and it’s true. It is. The fall time is the period where I most desperately want to be home, but also everywhere else. I either spend it longing for going places and doing things, or I spend it living out of a carry on suitcase. This year it is the latter. I’ll find myself in Canada, Texas, Florida, North Carolina, Chicago and Georgia before the end of the year.
Don’t worry, I have a full plan to take care of myself during the season, and to hopefully avoid the Texas to Tennessee sinus infection I take semi-regularly. Honestly I am most worried about missing out on fall at home, and watching the trees in my yard change colors.
I brought flowers home from an event last week, and took a little bit of a mood yesterday when I thought about how they’ll die while I’m away this week.
Lately I have fallen into a couple of internet rabbit holes (sharing not not inspired by WITI) that I’d love to share with you:
Zach Bryan
I’ve been deep diving Zach Bryan both as an artist, and also as an individual human being for a couple of weeks now. I am just fascinated. When I first got into him I kept saying “I’m not even a fan, I just find him really cool.” and now I’m certainly, certainly a fan. He released an EP on Friday that I am listening to nonstop called Boys of Faith. I am trying to compile my thoughts on him, and his prolific earnestness into a piece, and maybe I’ll get it to a place where I can share it with you sometime.
Listening to Lyrics
Yesterday while driving to pho, I emphatically told my husband that I am paying a lot of attention to the lyrics of songs right now and it’s just making me appreciate music on a deeper level. Who knew that listening to the words in pop songs can really make or break it? Not me. I had no clue. I have just been going back through some of my favorite songs and albums, and reading the words as poems on Genius.
Lining Up The Perfect Reading List for Spooky Season
Every year I re-read The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, but this year after talking with my friend Billi I decided I might try and line up a perfect list of horror written by women and read them. Here’s my list, feel free to send anything you’d think I’d like as well.
Not written by a woman, but something I will also read through before October 31st: Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
The last update I have for you is what I’m looking forward to. Ever the optimist, there are many things but for now I will keep it simple: crisp air, candles burning, turtlenecks under dresses, fruit crisps in the oven, planning for Friendsgiving, more writing.
Until next week.
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