Thursday Press #121: today's basically fake, right?
[29 FEB 2024] Lifestyle Edition Vol. 022
We're all in agreement that today is a fake day, right?
The fact that it's still February, not March 1st, and it only happens ONCE every FOUR YEARS?!?!
And all because the Earth's orbit takes 365.25 days instead of a nice, round 365?
You can't tell me time isn't a social construct.
Alas, today is a “real” day 😒 and I owe you our monthly lifestyle recap!
WHAT I'M LEARNING
We are really bad at self-perception. Maybe it's just me, but I have a sneaky suspicion this is true for most people.
Two examples of this in action came up this month:
First — it's easy to assume that what comes second nature to you will also come second nature to others.
I've been using Toggl to track my time forEVER, but every time I share a screenshot on my IG stories, I get a dozen DMs asking me what I use!
So here's the answer: it's Toggl. I use the Chrome extension and the free plan, and it is soooooo worth the extra half second to start that timer.
Without it, I would have genuinely no clue what I even did in February. I blinked and now it's March.
But according to Toggl, I spent February's time on calls, prepping for the Pinterest Blogging Workshop, marketing, and client work.
The second example of not having great self-perception is also thanks to Instagram.
I cut my hair a few weeks ago and recorded a few chaotic stories with my natural curly/air-dried hair. More than anything, the overwhelming response to those stories wasn't the way I ripped open my pharmacy bag or my squirrel-like distraction, but my hair.
I'm not a humble person. I will accept when I'm having a good hair day. That day was not a good hair day by my usual standards.
But those responses made me realize maybe my standards aren't all that.
So here's what YOU can learn from this — your perception isn't everything. What you think things should be are probably good enough for others. What you think is given can actually be life-changing for someone else.
Remind me to tell you in a future email why I'm calling myself the patron saint of technology micro-tips…
WHAT I'M LOVING
Favorite Book: I was really on my thriller game this month… both The Housemaid by Freida McFadden and Midnight Is the Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead are instant recs for anyone wanting an easy to get through, captivating read!
Favorite Watch: Caroline got completely hooked by Kim's Convenience on her last trip to the nail salon, so now it's our go-to Netflix show of the moment. We also went to see Madame Web, and I'm crowdsourcing opinions… I thought it was fun! But apparently the internet at large has a different take 👀
Favorite Desk Tunes: I actually cannot stop listening to Chappell Roan's The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. I woke up this morning with Red Wine Supernova already on a loop inside my head.
Favorite Buy: Hey, remember when I told you I was trying to save money and not impulse spend as much? Wellllll, Caroline's birthday was this month and we may or may not have indulged in a little mall trip… 😅🫣
Somewhere in the midst of stumbling through stores I emerged with the softest, oversized polo-style sweater from Aerie. And it was on CLEARANCE, thank you very much!!!
Favorite Follow: I love a good meme as much as the next person, and my Instagram algorithm KNOWS it.
You won't regret at least scrolling through some of these from @raccoon_meme_daily.
(yes, it's raccoons. it is what it says it is.)
Favorite Posts: February claims to be the month of love, but for me? It was the month of blogging. Here are a few top hitters:
Favorite Coffee Order: Give me alllllll the red fruit + chocolate combos. Raspberry mocha? Hell yeah. Chocolate-covered strawberry? You know it. Dark chocolate cherry? Say less.
If you're not a fruity gal, sorry, this one isn't for you, but I live for these coffee flavor combos in the spring!
And of course, here's this month's favorite cat picture:
Despite being besties, they rarely cuddle together, so appreciate this moment with me.
Your turn! Tell me what you've been loving lately — I'd particularly love any show or playlist recs!