issue three: you get the love you give 💞
wellbeing flows from sharing what you have
I’m writing this before Thanksgiving, but you’re getting it after. What a strange thing time is. How much of a hold it has on us. We’re always looking ahead of or behind us. I’m trying, right now, to stay rooted in the present. Much of that means not worrying about the future and what it might bring and instead, being here now. Right now, my little family and I are driving to spend Thanksgiving with the family I was born into. There’s a patch on the drive where the sky is always heavy with mist and the road ahead is enveloped by a grey, mystical fog. Our son is angelic in his sleep. The past couple of weeks have been overflowing with celebrations with our community. I’ve never felt more lucky.
The news, though, has mostly been not-good. I’m here to remind you that we can make our own news—and that the gossip here will always be good (send in yours).
Today’s issue includes people who do what they do with great love—which is how I want to do all things.
The Classifieds
Marissa, a multi-talented former colleague, is graduating from MIT Sloan and building a company at the intersection of art and technology. Her and her co-founder are looking for a technical co-founder and excited to meet like-minded people. To get in touch, email Marissa at marissacui@gmail.com.
Shreya is a physician helping women help each other heal and grow together. She’s building a community called Together We Well to highlight female founders building brands designed to promote wellness and inspire meaningful lifestyle changes. She’s looking for female founders to interview and community builders nationwide to co-host women’s health and wellness events with. To collaborate, reach out to shreya.ramayya@gmail.com.
Resources
Former Barry’s Bootcamp trainer and personal trainer to the stars, Sarah, started MOVE with Mariko to deliver short, effective strength and HIIT workouts that fit into even the busiest schedules, and to create a supportive female-only community. Sarah is donating all proceeds from her ongoing program to Age UK.
Sasha, started HalfMoon, a comprehensive resource for LA’s pre- and post-natal fitness classes. They’re pre-launch but keep an eye out for their Sunday drops.
Recommendations
This 10% Happier interview with Robin Wall Kimmerer, the author of Braiding Sweetgrass, was beautiful. I learned about serviceberries and how their existence is part of a reciprocal exchange between different species, one that allows the entire ecosystem—the natural economy—to thrive. The human parallel is gift economies, big and small: Little Free Libraries, hosting a friend’s birthday, borrowing a dress for a wedding, the central creed of Burning Man. I thought about the generosity in my life: the gifts of listening, of book recommendations, of hand-me-down baby clothes, of home-cooked meals, of texts that say, simply, “I’m thinking of you.” Wellbeing flows from sharing what you have.
Gift economies flourish in small communities because of mutual respect, trust—and accountability. In other words, people know who has been generous and who hasn't, and everyone is inspired to give.
Accumulation, hoarding, and excessive consumption are indicators of a scarcity mindset, of “not enough-ness.” You will be “enough” when you believe that you have enough.
Making whipped cream by hand. We did this for Thanksgiving and it was divine. All you need is heavy whipping cream (Strauss is the best), sugar, and vanilla extract.
Storyworth: I gifted this to my dad (but really to myself), a man who was unable to say “I love you” until I turned twenty-five. I now know so much more about him and his life, including that he finds icebreakers embarrassing for everyone involved and that his go-to fun fact was that his hobby was…checking his daughter’s homework. (Mine has always been that I was held up at gunpoint at Disney World but I’ve been told that that’s not that fun).
Local Spicery. Thanks to Allie, I’m on the metal-free tea and spices crusade. I still love a made-to-order concoction of loose-leaf tea from Chinatown, though I can’t vouch for their sourcing, only for their sorcery.1
Local-to-LA community
Emily is hosting a holiday wreath workshop at her Santa Monica studio on December 11th from 6p to 8p. The event includes hands-on instruction, all supplies and materials, mulled wine, and lots of good cheer. Venmo $45 to @fleurvoyant to book your spot and for more details.
A2 milk has taken you all by storm (am I a dairy influencer?) and it brings me joy to hear stories about your irl connections. It’s still early and the road is long, but isn’t it nice to be on the way together?
