recently read: april brain drain
009: april reading was intentional!!
The brain drain from April consisted of having family in town the whole month, tons of school activities for the little ones, and weekends filled with kids’ parties and catch ups. There was little time to read, and every night my head hit the pillow it took about 0.02 seconds for my eyes to close shut. I had to be very intentional with how I spent my time this past month. That being said, I read exactly one book and a plethora of substack articles that were very enjoyable! Let’s dig into it.
The one book I read in April: The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck
This book was published in 2021 and it holds up. From a life coach and social scientist, this writing solidifies what integrity should look and feel like for anyone who’s struggling with getting to a place of self-acceptance and is just feeling lost. There’s quite a lot to unpack in the four-stage processes that this book is made of, but what stood out to me most was the tools like each worksheet section, or even learning how things like “walking back the cat” can help you better pinpoint exactly how and when you became misaligned from your true feelings and beliefs. What I would not recommend, as with anything in life, is taking this book as bible to processing your struggles. If you’re feeling extremely lost and like there’s no end in sight: seek professional help. But, if you’re looking to be inspired to strengthen your life and decisioning that’s most true to your values, this may be the book for you.
The substack articles I devoured in April:
What is Millennial Hobby Energy? by
- A very thoughtful article on how Millennials tend to capitalize (time and/or money) on their hobbies and how this type of energy is rooted in millennials being born at the crux of late-stage capitalism.hot girl time management hacks I use to work smarter not harder by
- Look, I’m really over the “productivity = progress” bologna that many of us devoured in the 2010s. Hustle culture is dead on this side of the internet. I’m honestly so tired most days, that what I’m looking for is how to be “productive” with my time so that I can spend most of my time doing things I enjoy (family time, dinners with friends, reading by my window sill). This article has great tools for generalized time blocks, time-batching, and resets that will give you the boosts you need to feel like your time is being well spent.A love letter to the creative woman who thinks she is running out of time by
- Simply put, this writing is for the women that are continue to show up for themselves creatively. Do yourself a favor and just read it.There is time. There is always time. Your art, your voice, your vision - they are yours to explore, to deepen, to live into. The timing of recognition is irrelevant; what matters is that you keep creating and strengthening the courage to share it.
Why People Who Overconsume Have No Sense of Style by
- I loved reading this because I have felt like social media apps with influencers selling you things left and right is not only feeling very Black Mirror Season 3 Episode 1, but also very boring and repetitive. Personal style can’t be copied, so stop trying to sell me that affiliate linked two piece set - I don’t want it!!!When you have a true sense of style, you aren’t chasing after the newest “it” bag or dress. Instead, you curate a wardrobe based on pieces that fit you, that are flattering, and that have longevity.
why time felt slower when we were kids (and how to get it back) by
- A brief article on time perception and presence!!! Read it, devour it, and then go put your devices away and soak in the world.
Leave a comment with any April reads that you loved! Bonus points if they were indie authors here on substack. x
Oh thank you for sharing what you’ve been reading here!