June Newsletter: The Rainbow Giraffe Edition
In the Ellipsis…
A curated list of things to boost your mood and inspire creativity.
The Rainbow Giraffe.
A few months ago, I bought a paint-by-number rainbow giraffe as a replacement for my doom-scrolling hobby.
For many weeks, the numbered canvas and little pots of paint lived on my dining room table. I dabbled at it every time my iPhone pulled me to numb out or procrastinate.
I got really attached to this playful project. It was a comforting and satisfying way to reset my mind after a long day. And there was no doom, only colors.
Before becoming a rainbow giraffe painter, I often paralyzed my creative process with one or all of the following thoughts:
“I just have to finish this.”
“When is this going to be done?”
“I can’t believe I’m still working on this.”
But I didn’t want to finish this rainbow giraffe painting, I only wanted to add color to the mosaic, one piece at a time.
One day, I stepped back from the painting and it was done.
Whenever I click on the word count of my current work-in-progress, I wonder if I will ever get to the end of this draft. My rainbow giraffe now hangs in my office to remind me:
It’s simpler than you think. Writing is just adding color to shapes. Progress comes one tiny effort at a time.
love, Suzanne
A rainbow giraffe is the perfect opposite of doom-scrolling.
I’m blown away - Michelle Yeoh is everything, just as the title accurately implies. It should be said that Everything Everywhere All at Once is probably not for everyone, everywhere. I’ll never know how “hot dog fingers” made the final cut without someone saying “wait, we’re going too far.”
But “going too far” seems to be the whole point of a crazy metaverse movie that’s absurdist, mind-bending, bizarre, and surprisingly poignant.
This movie goes all in. And as a film-lover, I did too.
READ
Big Feelings: How to Be Okay When Things Are Not Okay
Liz Fosslien & Mollie West Duffy
If you’ve seen Liz + Mollie on social media, you might feel like they totally get you. I’m trying to be cool about it, but…
I think Liz, Mollie, and I could be really good friends.
In Big Feelings, this unique creative team simplifies complicated emotions using their signature drawings along with personal insight and compelling research.
Music by Sammy Rae & The Friends always puts me in a good mood.
It’s a vibey soundtrack for writing, but also makes me want to host a dinner party with friends. You gotta know the sound is magic if it makes me want to cook.
Connect
Social Media and I are on a break.
I have been taking a break from social media and I’m in no hurry to return.
But please stay in touch here.
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Thanks for reading!
© 2022 Suzanne Nugent. All Rights Reserved.