Finding the unexpected joys
+ being without social media (temporarily) + there's more to life than burnout
Hi friend,
How have you been? How are things?
It's been a minute (read: three months!) since I've been here in your inbox.
Lots of things have happened since we last spoke. Lots of things haven't happened.
I bet three months ago you had a lot of goals and expectations about where you'd be right now. Me too.
But wow if there wasn't a lot of unexpected joys that happened in between, right?
Even if it was something small, like watching a new show on Netflix or listening to some new music.
Or if it was big, like moving houses or changing jobs.
It's important to have goals and hopes for the future. They keep us on course when we feel lost or nervous about what's to come.
But it's equally important to know when to go off course and accept what's happening. That's when you can find the unexpected joys.
I've been navigating all that the past three months, refocusing goals and expectations. But also being surprised by the unexpected joys I've found along the way.
I hope you've been able to find your way through too.
Here's to new goals, new expectations, and knowing when to let life take hold.
with warmth + love,
N
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π The Click Throughs
Long-form reads for the marketing geek + content creator
GQ: Welcome to Dunkin' World
Everywhere you turn, fast food and pop culture brands are expanding into fashion and lifestyle. While I'm not sure how I feel about a USPS crop top, being born in Massachusetts means I'm a lifelong Dunkin' fan and deeply appreciate how they're getting their moment in the spotlight.
Embedded: Social media is over (if you want it)
Couldn't make a newsletter comeback without including my faves over at Embedded! Like Kate, I also was on vacation when the Facebook outage happened. This line rocked me to my core: "I don't know what it looks like to appreciate something without documenting it. I don't know what it's like to think something I've made is good without being informed by digital metrics."
Mashable: Red flags are taking over Twitter
Okay, I'm going to be honest. If you're reading this now, you've probably already missed your moment with this trend. But here's your explainer on why you've been seeing those red flags all over your feed lately. If youβre sick of this trend, scroll on.
Highsnobiety: Should Brands Even Be Speaking About Social Causes?
This is a really polarizing topic where I don't even really know where I stand. Brands advocating for certain social causes doesn't seem like a harmful thing, but monetizing topics that truly deserve support β not just a splashy ad campaign β may be harmful.
New York Post: Fictional 'influencers' with millions of followers are taking over TikTok
We've all heard of AI-generated influencers, but how about influencer characters? Real people playing the roles of friends, united through collabs and content. Feels sus.
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π§πΌββοΈ Mindful Moment
One actionable thing to get you through this week
Let's do a brief body scan.
A body scan is when you mindfully evaluate how you're feeling in your body β all the way from the top of your head to the tip of your toes.
Don't rush through it, take your time. Follow along:
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π Link(s) in Bio
Things Iβve been loving that have absolutely nothing to do with marketing or business
Refinery29: Is That All There Is? Why Burnout Is A Broken Promise β You've probably already seen this piece, as it's been making the rounds in all of my feeds lately. But for good reason. The Great Resignation is upon us and workers are f**king exhausted.
Bloomberg: Here's How Milk Bar Makes the Addictive Ted Lasso Biscuits β If you haven't watched this Apple TV+ show yet, stop reading and go watch it. If you have, join me in making these perfect, noteworthy shortbread cookies.
Refinery29: Do I Have Productivity Dysmorphia? β Another article from Refinery29? Yeah, it's just that good. Have you ever felt like you're not doing enough even if you're doing A LOT? You might have "productivity dysmorphia."
GoodGoodGood: How to Ethically and Sustainably Dispose of Your Yard's Leaves This Autumn β Okay, I know this one is a v niche piece, but if you are a yard parent then you may also wonder what to do this autumnal season. Thankfully, someone else did the research for us and wrote it all down in this helpful piece.
New York Times: Let's Ignore Each Other in the Same Room β For years my husband (hi Almog!) and I have spent nights sitting next to each other doing different things. Often I'd write this very newsletter sat next to him while he watched sports. Apparently this is called "parallel play" and this piece covers why it may be a useful tactic in relationships.
Self: SELF's Guide to Caring for Your Mental Health β This one-stop guide from Self includes a bunch of various articles + thoughts including 50 mental health tips, 101 mental health resources, ways to find an affordable therapist, how to get the most out of therapy, and more.
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π Content Calendar
Ideas for you to take into your week ahead as a content creator
Yesterday, I was at a presentation at HubSpot's INBOUND conference with Spike Lee and Jemele Hill about how to foster ambition in your work.
Spike said, "Only passion is going to get you through the rough times. Not money, not fame."
Or, in content terms: not clicks, not likes, not metrics. Only passion.
So, what are you really passionate about creating?
Go create that.
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π The (ring) Light at the End of the Tunnel
Finding the unexpected joys
Thanks for linking to our article on Good Good Good, Nicole! Glad to hear I'm not the only niche sustainability nerd.