I’m here to tell you that the remedy of handling cycles of chaos is in the little pockets of joy that’s around you. As I stumble to get through each day, struggle to balance my footing in the whirlwind that seems to be my life at this current moment, I find myself settling into small comforts.
This newsletter isn’t about “finding peace from within” or some long winded draft on how inner child work can heal you - but in a way, I’m returning to the parts of myself that is playful. The part that can live wildly amidst mayhem. As a kid (and an anxious one at that) - I used to run around barefoot on empty sand lots. I stomped on puddles of murky water without a care in the world. I was eager to try new things without overthinking the situation. Even when the world intimidated me, my tiny self threw a fist in the air and yelled “I’m still going to have fun!”.
I truly wonder what happens to that courage in adulthood.
How does fear simply take over and override the gumption?
With that little rant out of the way, I wanted to share a few things that have been keeping my mind at peace.
FILM & TV:
BRIDGERTON
The third season of Bridgerton didn’t spark my romantic intrigue. I unfortunately found Colin to be quite bland as a male interest. However, the story was a love letter to the Featheringtons, and I found the soft shift in their family dynamic to be beautiful. Nicola Coughlan stole the show, and was absolutely magnetic to watch on screen.
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LIFESTYLE
I’m currently tumbling down a gacha game hole because I’m addicted to Wuthering Waves - I find it so convenient it to play on my phone whenever I have the spare time. The storytelling is fantastic, and the game play is a lot of fun!
Note: “Gacha” games implement a vending machine mechanic in the gameplay in which players receive chance based rewards. Wuthering Waves is similar to the other extremely popular Gacha games like Genshin Impact, or Honkai Star Rail. Some of the rewards in question include these extremely pretty characters.
HAIR & SKIN
I wanted to give a shoutout local brand whose products are high quality and deliver fantastic results. I’ve been using the Oath & 19 Formula No. 9 Hair fertilizing oil for close to a year now, and it’s become a standard product that I repurchase. To me, it deserves a gold star! The brand have now expanded to a new product which is their Sidr Shampoo Bar. This has been the most recent addition to my hair care routine, but what I instantly noticed is how this shampoo thoroughly cleanses my scalp and hair from any product build up, without it being too stripping. Other benefits include stimulating hair growth and strengthening the hair follicles. I can’t wait to see how it will work out in the long term!
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MUSIC & LYRICS
PLAYLIST: “Sinister Girl Summer” - A playlist I put together which is mixtape of songs to jam to over summer.
ALBUM(S): “brat” by charlie xcx and “The Rise and Fall of The Midwest Princess” by Chapell Roan - are two albums that have been reviving my love for pop music.
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SOCIALS
YOUTUBE: Fundie Fridays - I have fallen down a fascinating rabbit hole of learning about Christian fundamentalism via Fundie Fridays’ youtube channel. I had no idea just how ingrained this sect of Christianity influences both American culture and politics. If you’re interested in cult dynamics, religious studies and sociology - I highly recommend checking this channel out!
INSTAGRAM: Litulla - Extremely pleasing Y2K aesthetics, diverse book and hyper specific book recommendations.
TIKTOK: thebrontemarie: My current favorite make up artists who is heavily influenced by asian beauty trends. Bronte’s techniques have really upped my own routine, and I adore watching her try out different styles.
NEW IN THE LIBRARY:
Bunny by Mona Awad
My Dark Romeo by Huntington Parker & LJ Shen
Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
Poor Things by Alasdair Gray
The Mill House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji
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I think this newsletter is one of my favorites. I’m currently going through a major shift in my life, and I think the answer to all this unsettling change and anxiety are finding pockets of joy just like the ones you mentioned.
I seem to always forget that the simple things in life that I genuinely enjoy doing can make a great impact on my day, despite them being mundane or routine-like. As I write this, the process of making a mid-day iced matcha and experiencing with different brands and techniques sparks this wonderful feeling. I might actually get off this sofa and do it.
Thanks Lara!
Major shifts can definitely stir up a lot of anxiety and stress, and I think finding even the smallest things to ground you is essential! The process of making matcha can be so meditative too, it requires a lot of thought and patience to put together so I understand how it can spark that wonderful feeling! I am so glad this newsletter helped in even the smallest of ways ❤️ you’ll get through this with all the gumption you have 😊