Cruel compendium #19 🎄
Creating in quarantine, D-list goss, and death to scented candles
I’m reading
Chanel Miller on slowing down and creating in quarantine by Tyler Calder
To me, creating is a conscious act of listening to myself.
The outdoor woman’s reading list. All I want to read about is women on adventures.
Lord grant me a work ethic like Eleanor Roosevelt. From Mason Currey’s newsletter Subtle Maneuvers
How to build bridges with those who have different beliefs and ideologies than you by Alex Olshonsky in the oLo newsletter. This is a topic I’ve been thinking of a lot, so I’m grateful for Alex’s thoughts and links.
The very first step in the journey towards becoming a bridge person is one of inner exploration, what’s been called the by philosopher Jacob Needleman as “the inward work of democracy.”
This includes looking at the shadow aspects of your psyche. The parts of yourself that you repress, are unwilling to see, and are unable to see. But just because you cannot see them does not mean they go away.
We must move inner work up the priority ladder, individually and collectively. This means starting therapy before taking a business mastermind course. Taking a meditation retreat for one week, followed by a vacation for one week (bold ask, I know).
One cannot build bridges for others until we’ve repaired the road to ourselves.
New newsletter recommendation: Crème de la Crème by writer and podcaster Aminatou Sow. In her own words:
This newsletter will feature thoughtful cultural commentary as well as my observations on politics, tech, capitalism, skincare, scams…basically anything that delights or infuriates me. There will be book recommendations because I love books and because books are the answer to rampant 21st century charlatanism. There will also be occasional, tasteful product recommendations because I buy a lot of things and I have strong opinions about anything I spend my money on.
Fiza Pirani on living with suicidal ideation in her newsletter, Foreign Bodies, an excellent resource for exploring mental health. If you're thinking about suicide or worried about someone who might be, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741741 to connect to a crisis counselor.
Also, did you know Fiza is an incredible artist?!
I’m listening to
Who? Weekly, a podcast that tells you everything you need to know about the celebrities you don’t. I turn this on whenever I need to laugh/not think.
The Bowery Boys on the history of Sardi’s restaurant in Times Square. You could say I’m desperately missing theater.
ImDatFeminist’s breakup playlist. Read our CSBC interview about why you should wake up and dump him here.
Questionable self-care advice
Support I got that you might need to hear
Vision board
You should know about
Advice for writers from writers in the One More Question newsletter
This holiday season, interview your parents as a gift to both of you. Write down or record their answers. You might be so grateful for them someday.
This sticker that gives $1 back to therapy funds for Black women and girls
I couldn’t just walk past this Tweet, so here is some fun #dataviz Scented candles: An unexpected victim of the COVID-19 pandemic 1/n
There are angry ladies all over Yankee Candle’s site reporting that none of the candles they just got had any smell at all. I wonder if they’re feeling a little hot and nothing has much taste for the last couple days too.
Terri Nelson @TerriDrawsStuff
Minerva moment
Anthem
Lady Gaga was my most-played artist for the millionth year in a row. But this was my most-played song of the year. I hope it brings a smile to your face like it does mine every time I hear it.
“Ve Maahi” by Arijit Singh, Akshay Kumar & Parineeti Chopra
Check out the full CSBC playlist
Mood
Cruel compliments
Thanks for the shoutout in Nisha’s Internet Tote Bag, a newsletter I love. Her lovely gift guide mentioned other gift guides she loved, including mine.
Author Tiffany Philippou called CSBC one of her favorite newsletters in her own newsletter, The Tiff Weekly.
Cruel Summer Book Club is even more sedentary than usual. Grab a spot on the couch by subscribing and sharing this newsletter with friends. And go ahead and smash that heart button.
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You are not alone!