"Is it still fun?"

a guiding question + collections of the week

Hi there,

Happy Groundhog Day!

There’s a great Twitter thread I linked below on assessing your relationship with the internet on a regular basis. It mentions a question I ask myself quite often when it comes to writing this newsletter and creating in general - “is it still fun?”

Truth be told, I think about the purpose of this newsletter a lot. Many things have changed since I first started writing it 4 (!) years ago. For those of you who have been here since the beginning, it used to just be a compilation of the wellness events that were happening on a weekly basis in Seattle.

My interests have grown and changed a lot since then, but my desire to share the things that I’m thinking about or recommendations that make my life more meaningful or fun still remain.

If I try to answer that age-old question of “what is my purpose?” I know at least a small part of it is around making connections and disseminating information, tools, or resources that others might find useful.

And as a writer and newsletter creator, I’m subscribed to A LOT of newsletters (my inbox is crazy y’all). This platform helps give me an outlet to share and compile my best findings here so maybe your own inbox can catch a break.

I feel silly saying that “changes are happening” because they are always happening, but I like to keep you updated and knowing what to expect. I’ve got a big transition happening at the end of the month (which I’ll share more about soon!) so this newsletter will likely have more of a focus on the collections of things I want to share with you rather than big writing pieces. Although I never know what will come out when I sit down to compile this!

And since I’d love to make this newsletter more of a two-way street, you can share the cool things you’re finding or that are rocking your world in the comment section of this post.

Here’s how you can leave a comment:

• At the bottom of this email, you’ll find these buttons:

• Click the “comment” one, and share your most brilliant recommendations, the article you’ve sent to everyone you know, your favorite recipe, or anything else that comes to mind.

Thanks for being here. The two reasons I’ve been able to do this consistently for the past 4 years are 1. because of your engagement + support, and 2. because I continue to let my passion, interests, and FUN guide the way.

Until next time,

Hannah

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📚 Things to Read

• Anyone else question their relationship with the internet constantly? Writer Bo Ren wrote a good thread on how she assesses her relationship with the internet and what to share publicly:

  Bo Ren @Bosefina

  1/ Highly recommend assessing your relationship with the internet on a frequent basis. Do you want to share more or less? Do you want to reserve some things for a safer and friendlier audience? Do you want to refine or elevate your voice?

  January 18th 2022

  14 Retweets83 Likes

  Bo Ren @Bosefina

  2/ Just like a relationship, it's important we do a reflection ever so often. The internet can be a strong force that pulls us outside of ourselves. We stop doing things for us instead for others & external validation. Are you writing and sharing for yourself? Is this still fun?

  January 18th 2022

  3 Retweets15 Likes

• As someone who has undergone THREE IUD insertions in the quest to find the ideal birth control method, I also wonder why the pain is not treated like other procedures (Huffpost)

• While I’m not glad it took a global pandemic for the work of death doulas to rise in popularity, I am glad more people are aware of it and able to access it as a resource (Time)

• ALL HAIL THE RISE OF THE INTROVERT (Ellie Reaves)

• Morning routines should be a game of mix/match depending on how you’re feeling each day (and 5 am wake-up calls / cold showers should be outlawed). Girls’ Night In compiled a sweet list of ideas to inspire.

• I’ve never been a big group chatter myself, but according to NYT, it sounds like it’s on the decline? (NYT)

🍴 Things to Cook

• Ginger-Turmeric Bone Broth with Greens - I’ve been making a batch of this at the beginning of the week and drinking in the morning as breakfast or for an afternoon snack - so cozy + nourishing!

• Citrus and Herb Tonic - Another nourishing liquid to batch prep. Commenters call it “sunshine in a glass,” and I agree (I’d take the limes out early though to avoid bitterness)

  

• One-Pot Crispy Chicken Thighs & Rice - Keeping the one-pot faves coming, this also makes for great lunch leftovers

• Cauliflower Tacos with Cashew Crema - one of my favorite vegetarian meals! The cauliflower could be used in many other recipes too.

💪 Things to Try

• The Lunar New Year began yesterday - here are some rituals from @sono.uros to celebrate.

• Black History month also kicked off yesterday - sign up for the daily email series 28 Days of Black History to learn Black history in 5 minutes a day.

• If you’re in the Seattle area - highly recommend checking out the new Chuck’s Hop Shop at Third Place Books in Seward Park. A lovely place to spend a Saturday, I recommend walking the lake loop either before or after.

• A seasonally appropriate virtual mini-retreat is being hosted by Amy Terepka of Ground Water Healing this weekend - it’s called Gifts of the Body and was created to help you align with your somatic wisdom.

• Remember that knitting/crochet kit website I shared last week? Well I ended up not wanting to pay $70+ to make a hat, so I downloaded this free pattern from their website and ordered this comparable yarn to revive my crochet skills. Will definitely get one of their kits to make something more complicated like a sweater, however.

• This TikTok video on using Monday Hour One + Google Calendar to plan your week is trending. Using a similar method + Notion over the past few years is the only thing that has made it possible for me to manage multiple projects/jobs. Anyone interested in a template/training??