The Copywriter’s Guide to the Galaxy
"Your great mistake is to act the drama as if you were alone. As if life were a progressive and cunning crime with no witness to the tiny hidden transgressions. To feel abandoned is to deny the intimacy of your surroundings." - David Whyte
I read somewhere once that part of being a great writer isn't just writing yourself; it's collecting resources for your readers and sharing them. Curating, one might say.
I don't hold that to be true, necessarily. But I did run a newsletter from Substack for a long time before it went on hiatus because I had too much client work to keep up with it. I often shared some of my favorite poetry, art, and even meditations from it - curating, rather than writing.
In the belly of January, I just want to take a nap, catch Pokemon, and read a book this Sunday afternoon(when I write these). Tell me some part of that is not relatable.
So today, I'm going to do something a little unconventional for you all.
This Monday's blog post/newsletter/email(however you receive this) is going to be a collection of past articles, guided meditations by yours truly, poetry suggestions, good news, book and TV recommendations, and a collaborative music playlist. I encourage you to comment your suggestions below, too. This curated list is designed to support you wherever you are this Monday and to be an evolving resource for this community.
As I usually say when I do a post like this, "Take What You Need. Leave the Rest."
Whatever you leave with, I hope you let me know what you love in the comments.
Articles Worth Reading About Writing
You can read this post about writing baseline mediocre copy featuring the LifeLock CEO if you need a laugh combined with advice
Blunt Talk About Why No One On Medium Gets "Boosted" - may be good for you if you're on Medium
The New, New Economy: How the World of Online Publishing Is Changing, and Why You Should Care (p.s. absolutely none of this is new news, but still an interesting, different take).
and one of my favorite pieces I've ever written which is more about language than writing, "The Language I Love Has No Place"
"Learning Argentinian Spanish was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and it was also one of the easiest, and it broke my heart. " - The Language I Love Has No Place
Good Climate News
This Swedish startup is making wind energy even cleaner
Researchers in the UK have developed a way to turn human waste into jet fuel, which would reduce emissions due to flying by 90%. And ew, but also cool!
Paris is planning the first urban forest(in Europe, I think Central Park counts as an urban forest. you?)
Buying an EV is now more affordable thanks to upfront rebates offered to Americans.
Book Recommendations
Fiction: Mercury, Amy Jo Burns; The Collected Regrets of Clover, Mikki Brammer
Fantasy: Anything by Sarah J. Maas
Non-Fiction: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Anam Cara by John O'Donohue
Thriller: No One Can Know, Kate Alice Marshall
Good Overall News: Some Things Went Right This Week
Chile is set to be the first country to ratify a treaty to protect the world's oceans
The EU approved a landmark "greenwashing" law
Deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon declined by half in 2023.
And perhaps you know this, brilliant readers, but how we present knowledge is everything. So despite reasons to be worried about the future, evidence shows there are plenty of reasons to be encouraged - including the fact that the air we breathe is cleaner than it has been in two centuries.
If You Need a Chuckle
A woman in Tasmania won the world's ugliest lawn contest! YAY! I cannot make this up.
Here are some wonderful pictures of animals photobombing.
And a roundup of some funny tweets
I knew cats were agile, but this is… next level.
Tools to Boost Productivity in a Meaningful Way
Inside Than Out Journals + Planners - "tools for modern, intentional living"
"Forest: Stay focused, be present" - great if you work from home
May You Find Joy card deck - part of my morning rituals.
My Favorite Ways to Access Joy
As one of my favorite teachers once said, life is just a series of days. Day after day after day until the end. And this can be morbid, or it can be a blessing. What a blessing that we get to live this ordinary life.
Yet, ordinary it is. Wouldn't it be wonderful to feel that happy, bubbly, joy feeling all of the time? If you're having a tough week or just kind of bored, here are some of my favorite ways to access joy.
Have a dance party!! Do it. No one is watching. Here's a great playlist for you.
Watch something beautiful in nature - a sunset, a sunrise, a river, the ocean, some birds.
Do movement that feels good - yoga, boxing, whatever gets you in your body.
Spend time with the people and animals you love.
Take care of yourself. There's a lot to be said for sending yourself the message that you are worthy of care. Drink water. Go to bed early. Don't overdo it.
Get lost in a fantasy world - enjoy a new fantasy book or play a video game. If you don't think you're a gamer, try something beginner-friendly like Mario Kart or Pokemon.
Podcasts Worth Listening To
On Being
Normal Gossip - also good if you need a laugh
If Books Could Kill
True Crime Podcasts. Some I've listened to this year are Scamanda and The Bakersfield Three
Guided Meditations For You
I know meditation isn't for everyone. If you've tried it before and not liked it, I respect that. Personally, it keeps me from chucking my computer out the window daily. If you love meditation or are curious about it, these are guided meditations I recorded, drawing on my experience as a yoga and meditation teacher. I will not know if you listen to them or not - so enjoy them if you'd like to.
Poetry Recommendations
Devotions, Mary Oliver
To Bless the Space Between Us, John O'Donohue
Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer - ongoing workshops and events
David Whyte (everything is waiting for you is my favorite)
Lastly, friends, I encourage you to add your favorite songs to this collaborative workday playlist on Spotify so we can be reminded through music that we are not alone.
Let me know what you loved from this collection of beautiful things and comment your additions below or send them to me via DM.
Have a wonderful week, and remember -
"- everything is waiting for you." - David Whyte
Yes, even a better SEO strategy. Even better content. A better way to land clients. And a better way to communicate with your audience. Talk to me about whatever it is you're struggling with today.
