A label free life.

And a weekly wrap up

I just want to be.

Do you feel like everything has to be given a title these days? “Dopamine menu,” “lit girls,” “fridgescaping”—look it up, it’s a real thing. There are so many pop-up trends on social media that it feels like the new version of “keeping up with the Joneses” has reached a level of frenzy.

I’m all too familiar with the perfectly crafted exterior. Leaving behind a life of religious people-pleasing left me in limbo, wondering who I am and which version of the Joneses I should be trying to keep up with.

It’s hard to escape the need to craft that perfect look on the outside while everything on the inside might feel like it’s spiraling a little more out of control each day. All these pop-up social media fads help to satisfy the desire to chase outward perfectionism, but at what cost?

Do we really need another labeled fad to chase?

The latest of these labeled fads I’ve seen is the dopamine menu. Now, maybe this is my exhaustion talking, but do we really want to spend our time creating a menu of things to choose from to help us relax?

I hope this doesn’t come across as judgmental because if doing any of these things brings you joy, then go for it! This is a note to those of you who feel like you’re somehow less because you aren’t participating. Or, you feel like if you could only be like the woman on such-and-such account with her carefully curated menu of activities to help her relax, your life would be that much better.

If you’re just chasing the next thing that you think will make you feel like you have your life together, decorating your fridge with vegetables and fairy lights probably isn’t it.

Leave the people-pleasing and the perfectionistic tendencies behind.

Food and Wine Magazine

Life is short.

Maybe our time is better spent trying to figure out who we are as humans. What truly relaxes us and bring us happiness? Is it a walk outdoors, an hour spent reading, journaling our thoughts? Find your things. For now my fridge is going to stay haphazardly organized.

Figure out what it is that you want to do with your time and chase it. Trust your gut on what you need to relax. Be inspired. Chase your creativity. And just be. No labels required.

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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What I’ve Been Loving

Reading📖

I started reading The Dead Romantics this week. I remember when this book came out and the premise just didn’t strike me, but I looked at it again last week and thought I would give it a try. At about 50% in I’m loving it. Does that ever happen to you? You find a book but the timing isn’t right and then it finds it’s way back to you.

Listening🎧

I’ve been listening to our ambience videos on the Jane Austen Literacy Foundation YouTube channel while I work. These are subtle background sounds to help you relax while you go about your day or while you read.

Watching📺

My husband and I have been watching Only Murders In the Building. So far this season is falling a bit flat, but we are hopefully it will pick up soon. It’s such a great show and we have loved every season so far. I keep my tv viewing to a minimum, so when I do take the time to watch, I always hope I love it. Do you have any shows you’ve been loving.

I want to hear about your favorites this week!

If you are interested in reading The Secret History with us, join in the chat. We will be reading two chapters a week and discussing as we go. This is open to all subscribers.