Have you read Stolen Focus by Johann Hari? When you mentioned maximizing every moment of your day and taking in, in, in content, it made me think of this book. I was flooding my mind with so much content that there was no free moment to CREATE a single thought of my own. We are on the same page this year <3
- great idea about the mondays , I’m going to think of something I can do every Monday that makes me look forward to it.
- I’m also going to start buying myself small bundles of flowers at the beginning of every month. I love flowers, but only ever get them if someone else gives them to me as a gift. Always seemed like a frivolous expense. But I would by some for a friend in a heartbeat so why not myself?
- Gorgeous words about not disconnecting. I’ve found it helpful to turn off all app notifications, so when I am ready to engage or connect I know it’s on my terms and when I have the brain capacity to absorb it.
- Regarding taking it slow, I’ve started walking my dog in the mornings not listening to everything. I’ve noticed it really does make my days seem less hyperactive.
Happy new year! That’s a good point you make about always being clear that you’re romanticizing. I’ve honestly never thought of it that way but there is something to saying essentially “here’s how to elevate (or romanticize) your life” vs “here’s the norm and what you should be doing.”
Thanks for these and I hope things are kicking off well for you this year!
I found myself watching shows & Youtube videos whilst I did things such as cook or wash up. I became so disconnected from what I was actually doing and I used to love cooking. Ive now started implementing no screens in the kitchen and either just be present in the task or put some music on so I can dance around and sing at the top of my lungs. Washing up doesn’t seem like the worst thing now.
If there's one thing I'm definitely going to be taking away from this post today, it's to find someway of making every Monday a day that I look forward to instead of dreading. I reckon this will also help me tackle the "Sunday scaries" too!
Sundays do not need to be for self care. In fact, we put so much pressure into self care Sundays that they have lost their magic, their sparkle. Sundays are meant to be the spur of the moment day when you don't know whether you'll deep clean your whole existence, drink until midnight or take a trip.
Tuesdays are the new Mondays. I feel like a lot of people have managed to channel the Monday hatred into productivity and excitement and we have postponed it so now we collectively hate Tuesdays. So I'd say normalise loving each an every day (to an extend)
I have disconnected from the news and I hope in 2025 I will disconnect even more. I don't want to read it. I don't want to see it. I live in Europe, I do not need to know what Trump said again to know it's something lame. people might thing it as not caring or being delusional etc. but the truth is none of us was meant to know what happens in every single corner of the world. And if we can't help/do something about it (like donating) being informed is just another way to feel smart and deep at parties. nothing more. So the best thing for my mental health is not to know, except for when I can truly do something about it (a peak example the planes that crash, all it did was give me two weeks of consistent nightmares and a whole spiral over future trips and death anxiety). so that one is a no for me.
reading, on the other hand, is a big yes. yes to more books in 2025!
This is the perfect reminder I needed. Sometimes it takes a few moments of reading to remind you that you can and should make the most out of your life. Thank you 🩷
I always love reading your suggestions, Hannah, and think rewriting Monday's is a MUST. I love to play around with "How good can this week get?"
I started a print newspaper that I feel aligned so well with this issue (romanticization, deepening into the new year) and would love to send you a copy! 🤍
Have you read Stolen Focus by Johann Hari? When you mentioned maximizing every moment of your day and taking in, in, in content, it made me think of this book. I was flooding my mind with so much content that there was no free moment to CREATE a single thought of my own. We are on the same page this year <3
My notes on your notes : x
- great idea about the mondays , I’m going to think of something I can do every Monday that makes me look forward to it.
- I’m also going to start buying myself small bundles of flowers at the beginning of every month. I love flowers, but only ever get them if someone else gives them to me as a gift. Always seemed like a frivolous expense. But I would by some for a friend in a heartbeat so why not myself?
- Gorgeous words about not disconnecting. I’ve found it helpful to turn off all app notifications, so when I am ready to engage or connect I know it’s on my terms and when I have the brain capacity to absorb it.
- Regarding taking it slow, I’ve started walking my dog in the mornings not listening to everything. I’ve noticed it really does make my days seem less hyperactive.
Happy new year! That’s a good point you make about always being clear that you’re romanticizing. I’ve honestly never thought of it that way but there is something to saying essentially “here’s how to elevate (or romanticize) your life” vs “here’s the norm and what you should be doing.”
Thanks for these and I hope things are kicking off well for you this year!
Reading this on a rainy Sunday afternoon while drinking tea has been one of the calmest moments (so far) this year!
I will romanticize writing more on substack, no matter how few views I get. Happy New Year!
I found myself watching shows & Youtube videos whilst I did things such as cook or wash up. I became so disconnected from what I was actually doing and I used to love cooking. Ive now started implementing no screens in the kitchen and either just be present in the task or put some music on so I can dance around and sing at the top of my lungs. Washing up doesn’t seem like the worst thing now.
posts like these r what i luv to read on this app.
If there's one thing I'm definitely going to be taking away from this post today, it's to find someway of making every Monday a day that I look forward to instead of dreading. I reckon this will also help me tackle the "Sunday scaries" too!
beautiful ♡!
right now, reading this filled me with much needed peace! thank you!
Oooo can’t wait to read!
I love your writing! "That aching beauty — or profound mundanity — of an ordinary life." Gorgeous!
This is so beautiful! Keep up the good work Hannah✡️💝
thoughts on your notes:
Sundays do not need to be for self care. In fact, we put so much pressure into self care Sundays that they have lost their magic, their sparkle. Sundays are meant to be the spur of the moment day when you don't know whether you'll deep clean your whole existence, drink until midnight or take a trip.
Tuesdays are the new Mondays. I feel like a lot of people have managed to channel the Monday hatred into productivity and excitement and we have postponed it so now we collectively hate Tuesdays. So I'd say normalise loving each an every day (to an extend)
I have disconnected from the news and I hope in 2025 I will disconnect even more. I don't want to read it. I don't want to see it. I live in Europe, I do not need to know what Trump said again to know it's something lame. people might thing it as not caring or being delusional etc. but the truth is none of us was meant to know what happens in every single corner of the world. And if we can't help/do something about it (like donating) being informed is just another way to feel smart and deep at parties. nothing more. So the best thing for my mental health is not to know, except for when I can truly do something about it (a peak example the planes that crash, all it did was give me two weeks of consistent nightmares and a whole spiral over future trips and death anxiety). so that one is a no for me.
reading, on the other hand, is a big yes. yes to more books in 2025!
happy new year Hannah!
This is the perfect reminder I needed. Sometimes it takes a few moments of reading to remind you that you can and should make the most out of your life. Thank you 🩷
I always love reading your suggestions, Hannah, and think rewriting Monday's is a MUST. I love to play around with "How good can this week get?"
I started a print newspaper that I feel aligned so well with this issue (romanticization, deepening into the new year) and would love to send you a copy! 🤍
Thank you Hannah, this was such a therapeutic post to read :))