Happy March 24th!🌟
Celebrate yourself.
Happy Thursday, my dearest Twenty-Somethings! I know, it’s been a minute. Life’s been crazy! I’ll explain soon. In the meantime—happy March 24th! Many of you told me this was your favorite newsletter, so here she is again!
What’s on March 24th? you might be wondering. Well, it’s a funny story, really…
You probably know by now that I come from a rather eccentric family: the Fish Family. The tradition of March 24th stems from a classic tale from none other than my older brother and fellow Twenty-Something, (Colin) Xeno Fish. I’ll let him explain:
On March 24, 2006, I had a great day. I told jokes and people laughed, I did well on a test, I played knockout (a basketball game which I am terrible at) and won the whole thing! The air was fresh with spring and the music (R.E.M.’s Document on my Walkman, probably) was fantastic. I told myself on that day that March 24th would henceforth be my holiday. Why not?
Jump forward to March 24, 2007. My grades are slipping, my friends aren’t hanging out with me, dating has not gone well, it’s pouring rain outside. The tween angst of being a 13-year-old is in full swing. I curse the man, I curse God, and I curse myself for my problems. And then I realize: it’s March 24th! Oh, how the mighty have fallen! Such a perfect day but a year ago had become the nadir of my young existence! I vowed on that day that no matter the state of my world, I would celebrate March 24th from then on as my holiday, a reason to be happy. Even if the world was crumbling around me, I would never have another sad March 24th. Every year I would dress up in some ridiculous costume, with a morphsuit or a psychedelic cape of my mother’s design, always with some bizarre hat I’d collected and I would tell my story and tell my friends to be happy, for it was March 24th!
This year is the 16th anniversary of the first March 24th and I plan to wear a stupid hat and maybe a cape and watch some of my favorite movies! In my years, I have found that life can be hard to live. Everyone is different and beset with unique challenges and while I can’t claim to understand them all, I’ve been through hard times of my own (worse than teen angst, mind you) and have always found some solace in March 24th. It is the beginning of spring. The plants will change, life will go on. Sometimes it is good to let yourself be happy, to give yourself an excuse, even one as ridiculous as commemorating a good day I had when I was 12. I hope you have a good March 24th. I know I will.
Consider this something of a Dear Twenty-Somethings guest post. And if you know my brother, this adds up. In true Xeno fashion, he’s continued the goofy celebratory tradition for more than half of his life. (And alas, try as he did to find a photo of him in full March 24th garb, he couldn’t. Phew!)
Every year, people he’s met through every avenue of life comment on his Facebook wall: Happy March 24th! Friends’ parents, professors, cousins, you name it. Such a silly occasion left a mark on all of these people. How could you be anything but happy on March 24th from here on out?
My point in telling this bizarre story about my quirky brother is this: Find any reason to celebrate yourself. This life is too short for anything less. Cook a good meal? Celebrate! Bomb a job interview? Celebrate! Get approved for your dream apartment? Celebrate! Burn your toast? Celebrate!
Not to be cheesy, but after all, life is a celebration. Or, in the wise words of Desus Nice:
I know life doesn’t always feel worthy of a bash, but let my brother’s exuberant energy inspire you to live it to the fullest. Put on your favorite song, dab some blush on your nose, and boogie around the room. Because every day is March 24th.
I’d love to know: What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received? Twenty-somethings, thirty-somethings, sixty-somethings—what do you wish you knew in your twenties? Let me know here!
Want to ask me for advice? I’m no expert, but it could be fun. Ask away here!
In case you were wondering, I’ve been bopping around to my spring playlist, which you can find here. With that, here are a few picks to get you through the week:
LISTEN:
WATCH:
The Worst Person in the World - I decided to treat myself to a solo movie and… wasn’t prepared for this entire film to be in Norwegian. Anywho, heartbreaking, dramatic, funny, cute, romantic—everything I love. Enjoy!
The Murder of Laci Peterson - I never, ever, ever thought I’d find myself on this hill, but after watching this in-depth docuseries, I genuinely believe Scott Peterson is innocent. Regardless, the case was botched by Modesto PD. Please watch!
Abbott Elementary - Now for something light! This show is hilarious and I’m obsessed with Janelle James, who I’ve seen do stand-up a few times, the iconic Quinta Brunson, and, of course, Zack Fox. Have a good laugh at the expense of Philadelphia public schools, ha. :/
Garden State - After watching the aforementioned sad movie, I was in a mood! I love an early-aughts aesthetic, and this rom-dramedy follows a young Zach Braff as he goes home to Jersey for his mom’s funeral and falls for a quirky Natalie Portman. Mad cute.
LAUGH:
CONSIDER:
“Praising Spring” by Linda Gregg
The day is taken by each thing and grows complete.
I go out and come in and go out again,
confused by a beauty that knows nothing of delay,
rushing like fire. All things move faster
than time and make a stillness thereby. My mind
leans back and smiles, having nothing to say.
Even at night I go out with a light and look
at the growing. I kneel and look at one thing
at a time. A white spider on a peony bud.
I have nothing to give, and make a poor servant,
but I can praise the spring. Praise this wildness
that does not heed the hour. The doe that does not
stop at dark but continues to grow all night long.
The beauty in every degree of flourishing. Violets
lift to the rain and the brook gets louder than ever.
The old German farmer is asleep and the flowers go on
opening. There are stars. Mint grows high. Leaves
bend in the sunlight as the rain continues to fall.
Affirmation of the week: I enjoy being aware of the present moment.
Question of the week: How would your life change if you released all things outside of your control?
Thank you all for reading this week’s newsletter! I’m always looking to improve my work, so leave a comment, send me a message, or fill out this form to tell me what you want to read about in upcoming Dear Twenty-Somethings! Also, if you know anyone who might be a good interviewee for the newsletter, let me know in the form. I’m all ears. Thank you always!
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Cheers & happy Thursday! Stay well and I’ll talk to you next week.
xoxoxo, Quinnie <3