Hi friend,
Are you feeling the pre-holiday fatigue?
It's okay to say yes, there's no judgment here. Itβs okay to be excited and exhausted.
Maybe you're gearing up for Thanksgiving next week.
Then Black Friday. Followed by Small Biz Saturday. Followed by Hanukkah. Followed by Cyber Monday. Followed by Giving Tuesday. Followed by more Hanukkah and gift shopping and holiday office parties (virtual or otherwise) and eventually Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Yearβs Eve, 2022.
In case you didn't check, that's A LOT of things in a small timeframe.
It's a lot of energy and emotion and giving.
So, if you're feeling like you're already tired of giving so much of yourself to others, just know that you're not alone.
You're not overreacting. Your feelings are valid.
Life is A LOT as is, but this season of life is extra taxing.
It's okay to admit that. It's okay to feel joyful and tired.
Your feelings are valid.
with warmth + love,
N
P.S. Thanks for your thoughts on the future of Social Media Detox in the past few newsletters! Your feedback has been so helpful. I'm excited to share this next phase (+ year 2!!) of the newsletter with you all! xo
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π The Click Throughs
Long-form reads for the marketing geek + content creator
The Verge: TikTok Tics are a Symptom of a Much Bigger Problem
TikTok is amazing in the way that creators can normalize and shed light on challenges they may be facing in life. But what happens when people use the experiences of others to diagnose themselves? This article highlights how creators with Tourette syndrome + mental health difficulties are leading TikTok users to self-diagnose, for better or for worse.
Vice: Why Tabloids Talk So Weirdly on Social Media
This post mostly focuses on British press, but I think the same could be said about U.S. publications on social media. You know the weird feeling when a media outlet (looking at you, Page 6) tweets an article with a caption that just leaves you feeling a bit... gross?
Adweek: On the Quest for Virality, Brands Fall Short When They Change Their Voice to Get Likes
The thing I love about most brand content creator communities is how willing everyone is to support + help. We're all just trying to get by. So, when any brand goes away from that unwritten pact, it can feel a bit out of place. If you only read one thing in this newsletter, let this be it.
Fast Company: The top 25% most active Twitter users produce 97% of all tweets, while most of us just lurk
This latest data from Pew Research Center isn't terribly surprising. Just think about most of the people you know IRL. It's easy to stick in cyloed circles of other content creators, so it feels like everyone's talking online all the time. But it's important to remember how many people are just here to watch.
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π§πΌββοΈ Mindful Moment
One actionable thing to get you through this week
This one's for those of you who always scroll past this mindful moment because you don't have time or energy to take away from your busy day to do this exercise.
Here's a less than 5-minute walkthrough of how to meditate at your desk from the pro Deepak Chopra:
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π Link(s) in Bio
Things Iβve been loving that have absolutely nothing to do with marketing or business
New York Times: 'In This House' Yard Signs, and Their Curious Power β If you drive through any suburban town in New England, I can bet you'll see one of these signs. It borders on cheugy with a kind intent, but this article addresses why it's all just sort of perplexing.
It's been awhile since I've gone away from this link format, but I had to come here to tell you about these cookies I made for our Friendsgiving last weekend that I think might be the best cookies I've ever made in my life?? Anyways, they're these brown butter + maple chewy pumpkin cookies that have a bit of a snickerdoodle vibe. I actually might make them again in a week for Thanksgiving because I need them in my life again.
Wall Street Journal: How to Set Professional Goals and Plan Our Your Career β I absolutely love a good new year plan. I love a good reset. I love WSJ articles that aren't gated. Bookmarking this one as we head into that future planning time of year.
We're hosting Thanksgiving this year for the first time in 2 years + for the first time in our new house. While I'm super excited to have our family all together at our place, I'm also slightly stressed about the host duties of figuring out the menu. I'm hilariously terrible at determining how much food is too much (my mom raised me to go overboard), so this guest-imator on how much food you'll need for dinner guests (+ leftovers!) is so, so helpful.
Vice: Actually, Everyone Is Thinking About You β When I say this article simultaneously terrified me + humbled me, it was quite the ride. Ever replay a moment with someone else in your head + hope they're not overthinking the moment too? Don't worry, research says they probably are.
bookbear express: on and off β I don't know the writer of this article; this is the first time I've read their substack after it was recommended by the Slow Growth newsletter. But this line really stuck with me: "Most of us don't need to focus 12 hours a day, but we still feel the pressure to perform constant productivity."
For those wondering about my Red (Taylor's Version) recap thoughts, I've already memorized the new All Too Well (10 Minute Version) lyrics. My fave vault tracks are Nothing New (ft. Phoebe Bridgers) + I Bet You Think About Me. But the entire album itself is a gem and I've loved rediscovering The Last Time. Also, last night right in time for me to hit schedule on this newsletter, blondie released this stripped-down Sad Girl Autumn version of All Too Well (10 min version) and I'm ALL TOO UNWELL.
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π Content Calendar
Ideas for you to take into your week ahead as a content creator
You don't have to do it all.
You don't have to be on all the platforms. You don't have to be making all the different kinds of content.
You truly don't have to do it all, as long as you're doing the things that matter.
Is that Twitter campaign not gaining traction? Great, you learned that. Go spend your time where things are gaining traction.
Do you feel existential dread every time you post a TikTok that feels like an unrecognizable extension of your brand? Amazing, that's great awareness. Step away from the FYP and put your energy into something that feels genuine to your brand.
You don't have to do it all, especially if all of it doesn't fit your brand.
Make content where you know your brand should be. Make content you believe you should make.
Know when to push your brand and when to step away.
That's all you really need to do.
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π The (ring) Light at the End of the Tunnel