☁️ Give yourself permission to create something
coming of age with the internet / michael cerave / microdosing movement
Hi friend,
I realized recently how little space I’ve given myself to create over the past year.
Just create with no project or client or assignment associated with it.
So I’ve started trying to do this with myself: giving myself permission to just create. Write things down with no intent for them. See where my brain takes me.
It’s always funny to me to call ourselves creatives and seek out creative jobs, when we often fall into the rhythm of prescribed creativeness.
We follow scopes of work and campaign briefs and tick off all the boxes. It’s easy to forget what got us here in the first place: enjoying the act of making things.
Consider giving yourself permission this week to just create, friend. I’m interested in where it takes you.
with warmth + love,
N
📚 read
On coming of age alongside the social internet: if you were on AIM and Livejournal, this piece on the evolution of social communities is for you
Uh, have you seen Michael CeraVe? I love everything about this campaign using Michael Cera as an ambassador and I need more of it
Dissecting the Stanley Cup virality: if you’re into sociology and psychology this deep dive on the steel tumblers is fascinating
If you’re still not over that Jeremy Allen White Calvin Klein ad: I died laughing at this piece – mostly, “you worked your whole belly button off”
Would you try TSwift’s treadmill workout? when her Eras Tour workout regimen came out, I aspired to try it but I’m not really in my runner era anymore
🌱 do
I’ve talked to you a lot lately about how I’ve been feeling scared and overwhelmed with change. What often helps me get out of my head, is physical movement. I know, I’m sorry to admit I’m one of those people. But it truly does make me feel better + like I can conquer scary change.
As someone who discovered movement only in adulthood, I strongly believe movement doesn’t have to be overwhelming. I loved this recent Vox piece on microdosing movement.
If you’re interested in incorporating more movement into your routine, here’s what’s worked for me:
Planning and outsourcing! I currently subscribe to Peloton (add me on the leaderboard! #AnxiousSpice), but I’ve also loved the Sweat app, Classpass, and free YouTube fitness pros like Yoga with Adriene. Picking an already planned class and scheduling it into my day takes the guesswork out. All I have to do is show up (which is often the hardest part)!
Getting a standing desk + walking pad. This is definitely an investment. If you’re a freelancer, consider it a write-off or if you’re an employee, see if you can use a workplace benefit for this! I live in Massachusetts, so this is a huge help on these super cold, snowy + dark days.
Just doing something. Some days I have ambitions of doing an intense weight-lifting session with a long spin session after. And then I have a busy day of work and it’s 7pm and I want to eat dinner. So, I’ll do yoga and stretching in bed. It’s about building the habit + taking imperfect action.
🔮 looking ahead
on building social media detox!
Thank you all so much for such kind feedback over the last few weeks! In case you missed the update last week: I’ll be moving our little corner of the internet over to Beehiiv in February, along with a whole slew of new content and exciting things.
Leave me a note if anything’s on your mind. Thanks for being on this adventure with me 🤍
This is one of my favorite substacks to read. Thank you it is SO valuable for me, a marketing professional.
I always love reading social media detox. It's one of my faves & must read newsletter as it gives a lot of good & soothing vibes while also being valuable.✨ Thank you Nicole.🙏🏻