Good Morning, you courageous tryers.
Saturday night was my worst anxiety night yet. And while there were a few red flags during the day - unable to get a full breath here and there, pendulumming emotions intercut with complete flatness - all in all the day had been a good one. I think I got caught on the back-foot as the storm gathered, because I (naively) thought I had things “handled.” Another example of this moment in time continually making me a stranger to myself.
But, as the night wore on, it got worse and by 3AM I was in a full blown (yet hauntingly familiar) panic. So, I just… talked myself down, tried to settle my breathing and counted the minutes until morning.
When morning came, as it always did, I took a shower, put the kettle on and opened the windows. And as the cool breeze hit my face I felt… okay. Not great…but, a little bit better.
These days ‘a little bit better’ deserves a a round of applause.
Here’s to a week of trying to do small things to get to a little bit better.
Each Monday morning, I’ll gather:
❤️funny tweets
🤩stuff to watch, read and listen to
🤝great follows on social media
🌈 music to soothe
🕯calming things
*****
❤️
🤩
Absolutely fell in love with the Hulu adaptation of Sally Rooney’s, Normal People. As usual, she takes what you think is the story and then… just…doesn’t. (Thank you to Nina for this one) Might as well go read Sally Rooney’s first novel, Conversations with Friends, while you’re at it.
I’ve started comfort-rewatching The Mighty Boosh. It’s the perfect distraction. All seasons are here.
You’ll also see a lot of crossover between the people behind The Mighty Boosh and the Paddington movies, which are… TRULY WONDERFUL.
Along these same lines, Garth Marenghi’s Dark Place is… pretty out there. I think you can find all episodes on YouTube.
And speaking of Richard Ayoade, his Travel Man series is great - and now streaming on Hulu - especially this iconic moment with Chris O’Dowd and a doomed snowglobe.
🤝
Follow Sarah Andersen Comics to not feel like it’s just you feeling this stuff.
Follow Samin Nosrat for delicious food, pure joy and a lot of talk about lasagna.
Follow Ocean Vuong for wondrous words, a home renovation and beautiful sunrises.
🌈
🕯
I’ve been loving Headspace for awhile now. I was late to it as I was a bit of an eye-roller at meditation as a whole. What a shock that my refusal to even try was more about me than meditation. (👀). And right now the Headspace app is free for anyone in LA County. I’m partial to The Loch Dormant and Desert Campfire sleepcasts, as well as the Cabin Downpour.
I thought I had a toothache, turns out ye olde Teeth Grinding is back. But, one of the parting gifts of my wonderful old dog, was her chewing up my wildly expensive Dental Guard. But, Joe turned me onto this much cheaper version that works like a charm.
Along the whole dry dry dry lines, this lotion is THE BEST. (Thank you to Tom for this one.)
This Twitter thread by Tracy Clayton asking : “What’s the most helpful thing your therapist told or taught you that has made things a little easier?” is truly incredible. (Thanks to Annie for this one.)
*****
👭 I am here. Together, we will endeavor to just do the next right thing. 👭
See you Monday.
A Little Bit Better
l love how Ocean said that he's "at least 4X stronger than he looks" - such a childlike, beautiful statement.