There is something of a newness about September. A cool mist in the air that makes you want to start again: to buy ink pens and notebooks and write out to do lists on fresh, new pages. To make resolutions; to look within and think of all the things you want to accomplish within this one beautiful, messy, complicated life. To set about doing them, in your own inconsistent way.
Last week, I found myself targeted by myriad of trends telling you exactly how to ‘level up’. 75 Hard is probably the most famous of these, but there’s also a Winter Arc, and also – this year – The Great Lock-In of 2025. Most of them are (unsurprisingly) aimed at men, and focussed on becoming your most optimised self, which includes depriving yourself (it seems to me) of lots of things (including - but not limited to - alcohol, chocolate, and joy).
Then, I came across a video by Elizabeth Jean, who took to TikTok to explain what she calls her ‘August Curriculum’ – because she loves ‘learning about random stuff’ and ‘it makes [her] life silly and full of whimsy!’ (Love, obsessed, 10/10). So, she sets herself a curriculum every single month, with a reading list and everything, because whilst our phones are trying to narrow our focus down to one infinite scroll, she wants to expand her not only her mind, but also her bookshelves (and her skills; in August she wanted to learn how to make a really good cookie). And that’s when I decided to create my own version of all of these trends. Something to make me feel as though I’m entering a new era. It’s called ’75 Sparkling’ because it’s all about how to find your spark again.
The catch? If you miss a day, you don’t have to start again!!! Do whatever works for you. Integral to this whole concept is self-compassion, and an awareness that whoever you are, wherever you are in this world, and in the trajectory of your life, you’re trying your best. This is all about getting back to your sparkliest self: the self who says yes to things, who reaches out of their comfort zone and finds their courage, buried deep within them, and pulls it out, fist-clenched. The self who loves glitter and mojitos, as well as the self who craves rest and solitude and an open fire and anything written by Dolly Alderton.
There are daily rules, and monthly rules. And then there’s a whole ‘curriculum’ that you can follow, if you want to spark your curiousity. If you start today, 1st September, you’ll finish mid-November, just in time for the sparkliest time of the year. I hope you love it.
Below the paywall, you can download my digital zine: The Noters’ Club. I make this every single month, for my paid subscribers.
This month’s zine includes:
August Favourites
The Culture Corner (articles + book recs)
Your guide to 75 Sparkling (an essay, the rules)
Your September Curriculum
An Ode to Autumn
How to dress like Meg Ryan
An autumn themed quiz
The Noters’ Club section, featuring:
Secrets from Readers
Ask Hannah (advice column)
Noter Club Spotlight — where I highlight one of you lovely readers and your art, business, or anything you'd like to share.
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