Thanks for being here this year ❤️
+ a lighter read for the week + tell me what you're doing in 2021
Hi friend! ❄️
When I was a kid, I always felt like the new year was such a big moment – having to remember to write a different year on homework assignments + tests. As a kid, I didn't comprehend the passage of time quite like I do now. I was just excited to have a new wall calendar.
Now, I'm still excited to have a new wall calendar, but I also struggle sitting with time. I don't feel like the new year is as momentous as I used to, because time feels so linear. It's a new date on the calendar, but there's still so much sameness. What I'm getting at is:
You can feel like time is rushing and crawling by at the same time. You can feel amazement over how we've made it to 2021, while feeling shock at the prospect of 2021 looking not so different from 2020.
It's not all black or white. You can feel the bittersweet pull of both newness + sameness. And you're not the only one feeling it.
As we approach the new year, I do want to express my deep gratitude to you for subscribing to + reading this newsletter. It's been an incredible joy of mine in an otherwise tough year.
So, if nothing else, please know I see you + I appreciate you 🤍
with warmth + love,
N
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📚 The Click Throughs
Long-form reads for the content pro, marketing geek, or meme lord
Victoria Tran: Deconstructing Among Us' Twitter Strategy
2020 was sus. This Medium piece from the social media manager behind the game that seemingly came out of nowhere is a fitting way to end the year.
Shondaland: What If We Approached Taking Care of Ourselves the Way We Approached Our Jobs?
This piece from the Queen Shonda Rhimes has so many brilliant takeaways on how we can better take care of our bodies. I've been loving this piece + her Peloton "Year of Yes" collab.
The Goods by Vox: How Instagrammy cookware got so popular
With how much I see Our Place's Always Pan advertised on my Instagram, it's amazing I haven't bought one yet. Brands across the board can take a note from the iconic imagery of these culinary DTC leaders.
Stories by Substack: How Kushaan Shah reads 30-40 newsletters per week
My friend Kushaan has had quite the year. He authors the newsletter Marketing Mind Meld (which you should absolutely read) + reads many more newsletters. Take some tips to better navigate your inbox.
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🧘🏼♀️ Mindful Moment
One actionable thing to get you through this week
What's your one goal or intention for 2021?
Reply to this email or leave a comment + let me know what you're hoping for in the new year.
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🔗 Link(s) in Bio
Things I’ve been loving that you might like too
Tonight for New Year's Eve, my husband and I are going to try our hand at making homemade pasta for a decadent chicken alfredo. We're using this recipe that seemed promising from Google's top results + the Kitchenaid pasta maker we received from our wedding over 2 years ago (thanks, Grace!) but have yet to open. Stay home, stay safe, make your own celebration.
The other day I admitted that my favorite purchases to share are some of the most mundane, unexciting things. Lately, that's looked like this new memory foam desk wrist rest. Up until a week ago, I had permanent red chaffing on the edges of my palms where they hit the desk while I typed or scrolled. Now, I'm typing up a storm with zero chaffing. Thrilling, right?
I know what you're thinking, a whole newsletter without Nicole mentioning Taylor Swift? Don't worry. This week I made this very niche playlist with only the softest, coziest, most cottagecore TSwift songs. Apple Music version + Spotify version. Perfect for drinking coffee/tea while wrapped in a blanket, writing poetry in a forest, pretending you're going through heartbreak with a renaissance man, or just working.
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💭 Content Calendar
Ideas for you to take into your week ahead as a content creator
No content takeaway this week.
This year has been incredibly tough, even seemingly impossible at times. That's it. It's been incredibly tough.
Do what you need to do to relax, recharge + honor your body's work for getting you through this year.
And don't compare your way of coping with how others are coping.
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👋 The (ring) Light at the End of the Tunnel