Today, republishing an essay from the archives.

I finished Atomic Habits and my midway assessment held up through the end. That book would have born fruit for me in my 20s, when I was a reader that now feels like somebody that I used to know. Perhaps that insight alone — the observation that the book was better-calibrated to a vestigial version of myself — was worth the read, though: new markers on this squiggly path I call my life.

I do appreciate the Magpie who wrote in with a different (more positive) perspective on the text, and want to say — in case it’s not clear — that I embrace readings that run against the (a? our?) grain. There is a lovely children’s book on difference that Sesame Street published that we read frequently at bedtime, and the tl;dr is: “We’re different, we’re the same, and that’s what makes the world interesting.” Funny how often bedtime stories can suit my own needs and deficiencies. In this case, the Sesame Street book is a weekly reminder that the undulation between points of parity and departure with the people around me makes me think, reminds me of my own smallness, and keeps me curious.

Which brings us roundly to my new audiobook, Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic. Oh, I can be an obstinate clodpoll, because how long have how many of you been insisting I would love this book? Reader, you were right. I have been floating in an ether of creative reflection since first laying ears on it. Gilbert’s prose reads crisply, but with humor and occasional elevations to the sublime. And the subject matter woos: here (at least in the first third of the book), she addresses the notion of living with creative confidence, and not in a manner confined to those of us who have committed our careers to the practice of art. I couldn’t be more drawn to the prompt and its underpinning theses. I have written elsewhere that I believe we are all creative, and that we can exercise artistry in the very way we dress ourselves, shape our communications, design our days. I came to this conclusion rather pointedly in September of 2020, when I observed: “Three months into my 36th year, out of left field, I have suddenly made peace with the fact that daily chores, school drop-off and pick-up, and exercise are no longer interruptions to my routine. They are instead a part of the architecture of my day.” Seeing the world this way — viewing it as a canvas rather than a cascade of happenings forged elsewhere — draws on creative will.

Interestingly, Gilbert seems to position curiosity and creativity as the antonyms of fear. Do I agree? Do you? It seems to me that fear is a polyamorous antonym. The opposite of fear might be courage, calm, apathy, foolhardiness, wonderment, impulsiveness — concepts that sprint across a wide gamut of tones and shapes. I suppose curiosity could live amongst them.

But, instinctively, I feel that the opposite of curiosity is not fear but torpor. An unwillingness to move. Whether this stagnation stems from fear or insouciance or laziness feels like a different provocation. Curiosity, though, seems to me a question of whether or not we tend to stand on nimble feet or lay supine in the face of what is possible.

I’m open-minded on this front, though, and I have the sense that this mental javelin-throwing has little to do with her central tenets, which seem more focused on encouraging us to unlock ourselves.

Onward — gleefully!

Shopping Break.

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+ Shop all my favorites here and Le Shop here.

+ The cutest notecards from Dear Annabelle.

+In my forever quest to find an eye cream that does anything besides moisturize (which nearly all of them do at every pricepoint, which is why I usually just stick with Olay, which is inexpensive but delivers IMO similar results to more expensive brands), I am currently eyeing this m61 formula. m61 is BlueMercury’s house brand and I’ve been really impressed with a few of their other products, especially these power peels. If I am in a hurry to get ready but feel like my skin needs a quick boost, you swipe one of these pads all over your face and VOILA. Insta-facial. Really, really great quick fix product.

+If you are a fellow Tonies fam, I just discovered these clever cases for stowing the “figures.”

+I took mini for her first manicure with two little girlfriends the day after she turned five. She *loved* it. I thought it would be a cute concept for a future birthday party and found these adorable invitations perfect for such an occasion.

+I am still finding myself leaning heavily on Summer Friday’s Jet Lag mask. I wear it overnight if I’m feeling dry but I also love to slather on just out of the shower before a night out. This comes (conveniently!) in a mini/trial size so you can test to see what you think before buying an entire tube.

+Mamas living in tight quarters: Stokki just came out with a foldable version of their popular baby bath tub.

+I know I’ve mentioned these before, but these magnetic animals remain popular with virtually any child who visits our home. They encourage creativity and have a STEM bent because children quickly learn that one end attracts and the other end repels via magnetic force. My children love to “see what they attach to” around the house — the Ubbi pail is a popular place to clip them on. I just bought these for a one year old’s upcoming birthday!

+ This depuffing face mask from Clarins is the GOAT.  I didn’t even know my skin was puffy sometimes before I tried this.

+ Crisp white bed sheets at a great price.  I bought these as back-ups for our higher end sets, but now use them interchangeably.  Remarkably good quality relative to cost.

+Love the natives in the new pastel yellow color.

P.S. How Do You Stay On Top of Household Chores?

P.P.S. Honest Beauty Reviews: YSE Exfoliating Pads, SWEED Mascara, + More.

P.P.P.S. These Fragments I Have Shored Against My Ruins.