Click. Read. Love. 11.1.24
How to experience joy heading into election week...plus the best of the week
Happy Friday morning after Halloween. Woodstock takes Halloween very seriously, so we had a lot of fun last night, and I’m also very glad it’s only once a year.
I’ve been working exceptionally hard on not spiraling out as we head into election week. This effort has been less than perfect, but (and I can’t believe I’m saying this) I actually feel pretty ok right now. It feels almost wrong to say that because *waves arms around* literally everything, but stewing in my own anxiety (or as my toddler thought it was called excitedy) about whether or not this country is about to elect a racist, rapist, fascist as president doesn’t really change the outcome. And wouldn’t it be better if I (we all) went into next week with a little more joy and inner peace?
My hope is to send all of you into the weekend and election week with some good vibes. This is not a put your head in the sand, let’s pretend none of this is happening kind of thing. It’s more of a, let’s give ourselves permission to experience some joy and fun, so that we can continue to fight for the things that matter, whatever the outcome of the election.
I asked some fellow writers how they’re preparing to head into election week, and where they’re finding little pockets of joy and fun, which you can read below. As for me, I booked a community yoga/acupuncture class for Sunday, and organized a night time hike with a bunch of girlfriends for election night. I’m staying off social media and away from cable news.
I hope this is your sign (if you haven’t already) to plan something delightful, calming and/or fun as we head into this next week. Please share in the comments, the more joy the better.
*For paid subscribers, there’s more great links and weekend reading at the bottom of this post!
How Are You Finding Joy/Taking Care As We Head Into Election Week?
From of :
I’ve realized that I’m cocooning myself in activities I enjoyed in my childhood this month. I’m playing The Sims 4 again, I have big plans for my new Jaws Lego set, and I’m learning music video choreography. The latest Jungle music video, to be specific!
From of :
I will be seeing We Live In Time with my siblings and going out to eat in Chinatown for dumplings with them before. Being with people I love IRL has a calming effect for me. And I'll be with my BFF watching the NYC Marathon on Sunday for max hope.
From of :
I've been having issues with chronic pain over the last few months and funnily enough, one of the few things that always helps is a long walk, so what I like to do is download an album and put my phone on airplane mode for an hour and just listen to music while taking a walk outside. My album recs: Noah Kahan's Live From Fenway Park; Florence + the Machine's Symphony of Lungs; and when I'm feeling *really* in need of lifting music, I have this playlist I've been adding to for years called "songs that take over a room."
From Rufina of :
I’ve been feeling a bit overwhelmed by the noise of the news and the constant thoughts in my head about what’s coming next week. I’ve found that calming, lighthearted music has been essential for me during this time.
From of :
I'm watching Spellbound -- LOVE some good spelling bee content -- and getting dinner at my favorite local Italian place so I'm forced to stay off my phone for two hours!
From of :
I'm starting Julia Cameron's cult-favorite 12-week course on creativity, The Artist's Way, later this month with Morning Person readers, but I've already gotten a jumpstart on writing my "morning pages," three handwritten pages the moment I wake up. As soon as I wake up, I made a mug of tea and sit beneath a light-therapy lamp for 30 minutes and journal until the timer goes off. It sets me up for my day (and grounds me for the chaotic news cycle!).
From of :
My friends and I were talking about having a puzzle night where we get together and all work on a puzzle while drinking wine, and I thought "what better night to do it than election night when we're all going to be anxious and stressed"?” It'll give us something to focus on and something to do with ourselves other than just refreshing the news. Lisa Congden designs are so happy, and this puzzle seems appropriate.
From Elena Sheppard of :
“I love the new season of RHONY, it’s a turn your brain off delight.”
From Allison and Lane of :
We’re reading as much fiction as possible, meditating 8 minutes a day (a strangely magic number for quieting the mind), and working out to Lilith Fair playlists and other lady rock hits from the 90s. I recommend Heather Robertson, with the volume down and my playlist on loud.
From Sara Peterson of :
Nothing helps me escape myself and the world like Schitt's Creek. I had PPD with my first kid and general nighttime dread and low-key sadness with my second two, and discovering Schitt's Creek during my third's newborn days was - the best thing that ever happened to me? I know it's sort of an old rec, but in times of great stress or anxiety, it never fails to lift me up.
of Plant Based:
I never get sick of AD home tour videos, and I know that’s not such a niche recommendation, but I find them to be the perfect mix of aspirational escapism and familiarity with celebs we already love. Good entry points are Emma Chamberlain’s, Tan France, and my personal favorite RuPaul.