around the internet | may 2023
links to some things I’ve been reading, watching, listening to, and loving lately.
In case it isn’t obvious, I’ve been struggling to find a rhythm with my writing lately.
At the same time, I’ve been wondering if I even need to find a regular rhythm or, if what would be best for my own mental health and in agreement with my ever-evolving perspective on technology would be to write when I really have something to say and not worry about consistency or any of the other things preached by the internet and algorithm gods.
Since stepping away from social media and (somewhat unintentionally) abandoning the publication of a monthly newsletter, one thing I’ve missed is the opportunity to share with others the good things I’m reading, watching, listening to, or generally enjoying in my life.
I love to hear about those things from other people (after all, friends are where I go first for recommendations on most things), and I love being able to share them as well. But I kept getting stuck because I felt like the sharing needed to be in the context of something else (like a monthly newsletter) or have some clever name to go with it.
Since I didn’t really want to start a monthly newsletter again and I can’t come up with anything that feels especially clever or unique to call this, I’m taking a page out of Ashlee Gadd’s book and simply sharing the stuff I’ve encountered recently I think is worth sharing.
These will happen with no kind of intentional regularity, just whenever I have a large enough collection of things to share. I hope you enjoy and find something in here you think may be worth sharing too.
🧹 Some Housekeeping
Before we dive into the links… you may have noticed I didn’t send out a reading recap for March and one hasn’t come out for April either. (Or maybe you didn’t… I’m under no illusions regarding how much people do or don’t think about my work.)
For March, it was because I didn’t have time at the beginning of the month and then I never got around to it. For April, it’s because I’ve decided to make a change.
You see, when I decided to start sharing monthly reading recaps I neglected one important thing: I don’t like writing about books.
I love to talk about them (hence booktube) and share recommendations (hence sharing on Instagram), but writing about them just isn’t my favorite way to share the bookish love and excitement. Especially not when I’m reading as much as I have in 2023. (22 books and counting!)
I will still be tracking what I read (and hopefully sharing more reviews, but no promises) on Goodreads and will be keeping curated lists over on Bookshop if you want all the titles. Otherwise, if there’s a book I super loved, I’ll share it whenever I feel the inclination to do a link up, and that’s all.
Now… onto the links!
💻 Around the Internet
I don’t remember exactly when I found Tsh Oxenreider, but I’m so grateful I did. Her thoughts on why she left Instagram were instrumental in my own decision to leave social media, and I love this post about why she takes a month off from the internet every year. It’s a practice I will likely implement myself this year, and perhaps it may be fruitful in your own life as well.
“I don’t know what to make of it all except this: we can practice caring for ourselves, certainly. But if we practice caring for others, we’ve not only lifed up our life a trifle, but we’ve woven one heck of a web to fall into when the bough breaks.” - Lifing Up by Erin Loechner
My bookshelves have long been the pride and joy of my home decor, and I eagerly await the day when my husband and I can have an actual library in our home. This post about the reasons for building a personal library was a fascinating read!
As a writer struggling with my own creative funk, this piece was a wonderful encouragement.
My husband and I tried this recipe for Chana Masala a few months ago and it has quickly entered into our regular rotation. Super delicious, easy, and our 1-year-old loves it as much as we do!
“I want something more spectacular and surefire than an ordinary staff. I want to be seen by God but only the good, presentable parts of me. And I want to do the work He’s called me to but only when it’s easy, when there are wide margins and smooth roads and clear directions. I want to do the work when I feel good and confident that it’s mine to do.
I am fragile and distracted, and if He were to ask me what was in my hand, more often than not I’d have to say, “It’s an iPhone, Lord.” - What’s in Your Hand? by Trista Payne via The Cultivating Project
This exquisite piece from Katie Blackburn brought tears to my eyes, as much of her writing does, and, of course, challenged me in the best kind of way.
My church is doing an orchestra concert at the beginning of June and two of the pieces we’re playing come from this instrumental album. The whole thing is beautiful, so if you need a relaxing album to add to your earbuds, give this one a listen.
“But of course, we know that’s not the real story. The real story is not that I’ve waited too long to pursue my passions or chase my dreams or publish the book, but that I’m finally willing to let the dreams evolve. Change the timeline. To live the life right in front of me. Recognize the lies about where my significance comes from.” - The Lies I No Longer Believe via Coffee + Crumbs
I’ve been walking a lot more lately, now that the weather’s warming up, and so enjoyed this piece on why we walk.
I finished book 4 in the Hawthorne & Horowitz Investigates series by Anthony Horowitz over the weekend and the whole thing is an absolute delight. A little bit meta (the author is a character in the series), exceptionally clever, and four books in… I have yet to confidently guess the identity of the killer. If you’re a fan of mysteries, do yourself a favor and check this series out.
This recent piece from Ashlee Gadd pretty perfectly captures a lot of the feelings I’ve been having about writing and the internet and writing on the internet in recent weeks.
Now it’s your turn, friends! What’s something you’ve been reading, watching, listening to, or generally loving as of late?