Attention Inventory: Nettle Tea, Personal Resets, Irreverent Oracles
April's list of uncommon punctuations for common days
Nothing succeeds without taking stock. This is a list of preoccupations that have caught me off guard; ideas that have been rattling around in my brain; and/or uncommon punctuations in common days.
1. Back to Basics
My North Star du jour has been recently revolving around a return to the basics. Focusing on one thing at a time. Minimizing my input (and output.) Not complicating the plot (…even though I always reallllllyyyyyy want to).
There’s a note on my phone titled “RESET MY BRAIN” that contains a personal SOS in list form—specifically for moments when I find myself bobbing around, trying to remember which way is up.
Maybe you should:
• Resist the urge to read into something that went unsaid.
• Invite a friend over for a steamed artichoke.
• Make something simple feel extremely special; make something special feel extremely effortless.
• Open the windows.
• Say no to one thing, say yes to one thing.
• Read a new book and call an old friend.
• Stop creating work for the sake of work (and ask, is the pressure actually just coming from you?)
• Go for a hike and look at the skyline for a little bit.
…
These are a few of the things on my list, but you can make your own.
2. Steeped Nettles
In general the offerings from Masha Tea reward a closer look. Small, thoughtful, in conversation with a larger sensibility, a purposeful simplicity.
Masha’s nettle tea is a favorite and is an allergy season godsend (should you be sneezing). Bonus points for a tea that bites back: “It’s called STINGING NETTLE for a reason. use a spoon or tongs while handling. the “stinging” goes away after you pour the hot water on it.” Honestly….cool.
* Bonus points when paired with a Bauhaus-esque tea kettle like so.
3. Irreverent Oracles
As a nod to this month’s Moon Lists prompts on “retrogrades,” might I turn you on to my favorite astrologer, Rob Brezsny.
The vibe is like: you’re in Austin, TX in 2006 at a cooperatively-run vegetarian restaurant and on Thursday nights there’s a dude who comes and plays earnest secular hymns on the lyre in exchange for a plate of tempeh enchiladas. This is your astrologer, this is your oracle.
4. The Plus Four Wristlet Route Indicator
A British scroll-map navigator in the shape of a watch. “It came with tiny interchangeable instructions that you scrolled manually to see which roads to take when driving.”
5. A Blue Tablecloth
I got a soft powder blue linen tablecloth. Friends, do not underestimate the power of a single new addition in your home to transform…everything?
See you soon,
LP
Would you share where you got that adorable baby blue check linen? So lovely!