Recs & Links
a few life-giving things for you
Dear readers, I’ve been writing Be Where You Are for three months now (!) Thank you to everyone who has read or engaged in any way with this community (even if it was just telling your cat what you liked). I’m grateful for you.
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LISTEN
Jenny Odell on We Can Do Hard Things: perfect for right now as I’m renewing my “Phone & Email Rules” in which I treat myself “like a toddler” because I am a phone/work addict (reference from Rachel Mennies’ interview)
Saying Yes: Jane Hirshfield & Tara Brach conversation: mindfulness & writing par excellence: Part 1 listen on Spotify or Youtube / Part 2 on Spotify or Youtube
SZA’s “Good Days” is a perfect grounding force of a song.
READ
READ.LOOK.THINK: Jessica Stanley is the unrivaled Queen of Recs. I’ve been reading her email newsletter for years & she never disappoints.
Heather Lanier on “Embrac[ing] Your True Subject”: “It turns out that it never works to run from ourselves—not in regular life, and not in art-making, either.” Damn, I really needed to read this right now. Writers & artists, if you’ve fallen into a trapdoor of your own making that’s holding you back in your work, read this.
“Your Friends Don’t All Have to Be the Same Age” by Annie Midori Atherton in The Atlantic: This is something I think about all the time and want to write about…
DANCE
Hanif Abdurraqib’s playlist “Sad, But Willing to Dance” is utter perfection
Robyn‘s “Call Your Girlfriend”: going to learn these moves for real
WATCH
American Symphony: (trailer here) Nico and I have been watching and loving this documentary film on Netflix (in 20 min increments before passing out at night). I’ve been following Suleika Jouad’s The Isolation Journals and Jon Batiste’s music for years. This film tells their story with depth and beauty. One of the few films that falls squarely in the Venn Diagram for both Nico and me (NYT review).
STAPLES
My “uniform” sweatpants: Madewell’s Superbrushed Easygoing Sweatpants
My favorite notebook: Leuchtturm 1917 Notebook Composition (B5) dotted (the best most buttery pages for writing)
The planner which will surely change my life in 2024: Mochithings Slim & Wide Weekly Planner
White Whale Bookstore merch: favorite bookstore run by favorite humans & making my favorite sweatshirts
Small Black’s Best Blues: a musical staple that you should know
What you may have missed here:
Rachel Mennies’ interview has so many gems, including this line that has helped me this week: “I almost feel like a toddler or my own dog, but sometimes it helps me to think of myself that way.” Also, the term, “brain in a jar,” inspiration to resist the lure of productivity culture, and a stellar writing prompt called “The Oracle Bookshelf” that you’ll definitely want to try.
A writing & mindfulness prompt featuring Sarah Polley, Pema Chodron & Nancy Reddy on going to the places that scare you.
✨ Be Where You Are is a newsletter about how to use writing and mindfulness to be where you are. You’re always welcome to reply to this email, comment below, or find me on instagram (@mohnslate) or elsewhere. If you enjoyed this, I’d love it if you would subscribe, share this post, or send it to a friend. ✨
I will truly listen to Jenny Odell on anything, so thanks for sending that podcast!
I always enjoy what you post--your own and others' thoughts. Thank you.