525,600 Minutes...⌛
Spring, I can smell you!
Hello my dearest Twenty-Somethings! And to those of you who are new here: welcome. Today, I want to talk about time. I know, existential, right?
As many of you know, I moved to Brooklyn from sunny San Luis Obispo, California almost two years ago. Before my four years in SLO, I grew up in the Bay Area, which you probably also already knew. I’m a born and bred California gal. And like many California gals, experiencing real seasons changed my life. Let me explain.
I’d only ever lived in temperate places until I moved to NYC. For a majority of my readers who live in California, you probably know the seasons as follows: chilly in the morning, hot once the fog burns off, and then chilly again at night. Temperatures fluctuate between 50 degrees and 70 degrees if you’re in NorCal and maybe 60 degrees and 90 degrees if you’re in SoCal for most of the year. The East Coast is a whole ‘nother beast, baby!
I moved here in June of 2019 and experienced true humidity for the first time. Like, you get out of the shower and feel like you need to go right back in, humidity. As disgusting as that may sound, it’s… magical, somehow? I don’t know how to describe it.
There are BBQs on every block, kids running around in the mist of the manually-opened fire hydrants (don’t even get me started on how wasteful New Yorkers are…), and back when we could boogie in public, you could get a cold drink and a bag of mango slices on every corner. It’s light AND warm until bedtime and the sunsets would blow your mind. What’s not to love?
It remains in the 80s and 90s until some point in October, at which point it starts feeling a little more like the Bay Area climate. I’ll never forget my first fall in NYC, when I turned to my friend in all seriousness and said, “It feels like winter!” on the first 50-degree day. She laughed and laughed.
And then, winter came. I can’t complain, I really haven’t experienced a harsh winter since I’ve lived here, but I think winters are what make NYC summers so enchanting. Months of darkness, short days, gray skies and sub-freezing temps practically force you to be out of your apartment for the six months of the year when it’s lovely out. New Yorkers grab spring, summer and fall and squeeze every last drop out of them. And that’s just one thing I love about this chaotic city.
Now, as I watch the snow outside my apartment melt and feel the temperature go from the 30s to the 40s to the 50s (it’s getting hot!), I can practically smell spring’s warm embrace. The tangibility of the four seasons seems to make time move more quickly—and we’re always anxiously awaiting the next season, or hoping this one never ends.
I can’t help but think the seasons force East Coasters to live so fast. I can feel and see and smell time passing in a way you simply can’t on the West Coast; maybe that’s why the California way of life is so effortlessly slow, while New Yorkers run 1,000 miles-per-hour. All of this is to say that time is extremely precious—and it’s also all relative.
Bit of a non-sequitur, but I also think there are two kinds of people in the world: summer people and fall people. I, as you can clearly tell, am a summer person. I’m patiently counting down the days until I can sit under a tree with a good book or lie at the beach with my pals or simply hit the bodega in a sundress and platform sandals. Sigh. Soon enough!
Which are you? And, further, what are your thoughts on this whole time thing?
With that, here are a few picks to get you through the week:
LISTEN:
“Pop Star” by Coco & Clair Clair - In the theme of seasons, these songs all give BIIIIG SUMMER ENERGY. This is my current fav song—it makes me feel fabulous and hardcore all at once. The “demon glam rock” pop duo also put out “Pretty,” a similarly light, boppy, bad girl anthem.
“Summerboy” by Lady Gaga - Let’s throw it allllll the way back with this one. This was my favorite album in 2008 (sixth grade), and look how far we’ve come! (P.S. The frenchie story … absolutely bonkers.)
“Feel Like a Fool” by Kali Uchis - For what it’s worth, this is one of my favorite albums of all time. Sweet, spicy, groovy… She can’t miss!
READ:
VICE: “How to Stop Shopping at Amazon When You Know It's Bad but Do It Anyway” - Circling back on last week’s newsletter, here are some simple ways to break up with Bezos once and for all. See ya, buddy!
Refinery29: “Did Madison Cawthorn Lie About The Accident That Left Him Paralyzed?” Look, I don’t really have anything to gain from sharing this article, but the answer is yes. Men really have the audacity… Gross. Reminds me of Search Party… Wait, you still haven’t watched it?!
GQ: “Bobby Shmurda’s First Day Out” - There’s nothing quite like a satisfying profile. Bobby Shmurda was the fleeting voice of a brighter summer—and then, he went to prison for six years. But he’s out now! And he’s learned a lot.
WATCH:
Judas and the Black Messiah - Stop what you’re doing and watch!!! This!!! Now!!! Daniel Kaluuya deserves all of the praise. The ever-problematic Lakeith Stanfield was also stunning. Enjoy!
SarahBethYoga | 30 Minute Morning Yoga for Flexibility - I didn’t know how badly I needed this until I did it! Morning yoga on the weekends has become one of my favorite routines, and though I used to be annoyed by Sarah Beth’s voice, I felt so, so blissed out after this practice. She also includes modifications for anyone who’s new to the mat, or just a little tight.
LAUGH:
LOVE:
Bearaby Cotton Napper - OK, so it’s a splurge, but this weighted blanket might just make you into a new woman. If you have anxiety (🙋) or trouble sleeping (🙋), this woven, breathable cotton blanket is just the ticket. I only wish I had waited until their velvet nappers had come out!
RoC 5-in-1 Even Tone & Lift Eye Cream - If there’s one thing I’ve learned from women in their not-twenty-somethings, it’s that you ought to start early with the eye cream. I have no idea if this actually does anything, but it smells good and it at least makes me think my under eye circles are brighter and more firm!
1-Inch Foam Yoga Mat - This has changed the way I do yoga. You’d hardly know there are hardwood floors under that mat! Invest in your practice.
COOK:
Roasted Garlic Butternut Squash - Yes, more garlic. These savory, tender cubes of squash goodness go great in salads, bowls, sandos and more. YUM!
Honey Soy Dipping Sauce - I put this sauce on pretty much everything. Add a little vinegar (of course) and it’s perfect for noodles, tofu, roasted veggies, or even just over rice. Dangerously good!
Pico de gallo - This quick, easy recipe also gives big summer energy. Ugh, I dream of my West Coast burritos 24/7.
CONSIDER:
“Petition to Get All White Girls to Stop Wearing Hoop Earrings” by Melissa Lozada-Oliva
There’s a petition to get all white girls to stop
wearing hoop earrings. I didn’t know this was a thing
except when I thought about it
being a thing, like when I rejected
my hoops in my backpack once in the middle of the school day
because I thought I heard someone say a slur I was
sure was over. My lover told me about this. Showed me
the article. The comments. The thread. He has big holes
in his ears left over from gauges. They’re in the shape of
little screaming mouths.
These are silly, I’d say. These are fun.
Last summer he threw the earrings into the ocean
because, he told me, white people ruin everything.
Even though all the girls he chose
to really love are named Lauren or Hailey.
I say this like my name isn’t Melissa.
Like my name couldn’t wrap itself securely around
Lauren’s neck. Or Hailey’s wrists.
Like it couldn’t slide itself neatly through
any of their earlobes and hang there all day,
belonging
Question of the week: What can you do today that you were not capable of a year ago?
I want to thank each and every one of you for supporting me, my spirit and my passion projects. Seriously! It means more than you’ll ever know. I’m always looking to improve my work, so leave a comment or send me a message about what you want to read about in the next Dear Twenty-Somethings! I’m all ears.
Connect with me on Twitter, LinkedIn, Goodreads or online if you feel so inclined. And check out last week’s newsletter here in case you missed it.
If you liked what you read, send this newsletter to a friend! Heck, send it to 10 friends! Sending love and light to you, wherever you are. 🌟
Cheers & happy Wednesday! And, of course, happy March, i.e., Women’s History Month! I hope everyone has a lovely International Women’s Day.
See ya next week!
xoxoxo, Quinnie <3