News You Can Use: How to Stay Sane Right Now
Now For Some News You Can Use
Hint: it decidedly does not start with another f’ing sourdough starter
Never have we ever thought that the thing we would do first ifonlywehadthetime involved a sourdough starter. With respect to sourdough enthusiasts, we just can’t with the overall sameness of content we’re being served right now, no matter where we turn (Self-care during a crisis? Groundbreaking.). So here’s a flip of the script: some news you can use, ideas to tide you ‘til our next newsletter. And BTW, doing nothing at all: also 100% approved right now. This is hard—you do you.
Go on a (news) diet. In Weight Watchers speak, choose your points wisely. Stick with five sources that offer solid information without sending your anxiety into orbit. The important word in this crisis is “novel”—it’s entirely new to all of us. Some of the sources in our daily diet: Ed Yong from The Atlantic (and really much of their coverage), The Daily podcast and Jessica Yellin’s News not Noise videos.
Celebrate (from afar). Nothing feels certain, but birthdays, anniversaries, Easter, Passover, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day will certainly still happen—and being apart may make us want to celebrate all the more. Try challenging yourself to shop online—locally—for all the recipients on your list. Shopping now will help many small businesses stay afloat.
Master a manicure. It’s part educational opportunity, part indulgence, part necessity. We love this kit from Olive and June, along with their IG manicure bootcamps. Got gel you need to get gone? Try this kit, and support one of the many wonderful companies that have shifted gears to produce hand sanitizer.
Binge with purpose. Missing Don Draper? Same. Here’s reason enough to tune back in to Rolling Stone’s fourth-ranked TV show of all time—this time with color commentary. In April, The Ringer will debut its new podcast The Wire: Way Down in the Hole where listeners are invited to watch (or rewatch) the second-ranked show of all time, then hear hosts Van Lathan and Jemele Hill break it down.
Holiday prep (yes, really). Right now the holidays feel like a far-away fantasy, but yes, they will come. Why not put this downtime to good use and start your gift lists (and shopping now if you can), clean up card lists and—dare we say—even capitalize on your togetherness by snapping a family photo (try your timer function).
Find your words with Brene. Brene Brown is all of us right now—and this one episode of her new podcast, Unlocking Us, captures the weariness many of us are feeling with the impact of this crisis. But even more than offering solidarity, she shares pragmatic strategies based on her decades of research (topped off by her soothing Southern drawl and the occasional, satisfying swear).
See that show. The Six, one of Broadway’s most anticipated musicals, was all set to open—then, COVID-19. But the soundtrack to this modern retelling of Henry VIII’s six wives in Spice Girls concert fashion is out and as amazing as you might think—and the story’s in the songs.
Bake it ‘til you make it. Step right over that sourdough starter—you’re made for better challenges. Do it for you or for loved ones you feed. We’ve been following the path set out for us by Bon Appetit’s Basically, and love the skill-level increases that happen as confidence in your mad skills grows.
Keep tabs on appointments. Cancellations: We’ve had plenty. Don’t let them fade into the ether; take this time to put them all in one place with phone numbers so you can reset them when it’s possible. On the other hand, some practices are offering virtual visits, so if you simply need a check-up or prescription, you might check it off your list—from the comfort of home.
Put it away (for now). For many of us who’ve had to bring the office home or refill an empty nest, space is a new commodity. Are there things that might need to find a new home for the time being? Make Space is operating as an essential business with contactless pick up. They’ll pick up, store, then bring back your stuff when you need it. Bonus: You just might find some items weren’t essential after all.
Share the goods. Staying at home can make us feel disengaged from the world, but now’s a time when small, individual kindnesses matter most. Say an extra thank you to those doing essential work, offer to pick up extra groceries for neighbors in need, and see if you can buy gift cards or pre-pay for services from dog walkers, hair stylists and cleaners. And give what you can to established charities, if you can.
Take stock. Make a list of important people in your life—family, friends, colleagues and service providers. Then check in on at least three of them each day. It can be a simple text, a call or a video meetup. You can even send an old school letter.
Take the plunge on that pet. Thinking about adding to your family? Now is the time. Many rescues need homes and you have the luxury of time to get a new pet trained and acclimated.
Tiger King. Is it useful? Hmmm...define useful. But once you start this Netflix docuseries you Can’t. Turn. Away. At the very least, watching increases your chances of getting every joke for the next few months.
Never have we ever thought that the thing we would do first ifonlywehadthetime involved a sourdough starter. With respect to sourdough enthusiasts, we just can’t with the overall sameness of content we’re being served right now, no matter where we turn (Self-care during a crisis? Groundbreaking.). So here’s a flip of the script: some news you can use, ideas to tide you ‘til our next newsletter. And BTW, doing nothing at all: also 100% approved right now. This is hard—you do you.
Go on a (news) diet. In Weight Watchers speak, choose your points wisely. Stick with five sources that offer solid information without sending your anxiety into orbit. The important word in this crisis is “novel”—it’s entirely new to all of us. Some of the sources in our daily diet: Ed Yong from The Atlantic (and really much of their coverage), The Daily podcast and Jessica Yellin’s News not Noise videos.
Celebrate (from afar). Nothing feels certain, but birthdays, anniversaries, Easter, Passover, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day will certainly still happen—and being apart may make us want to celebrate all the more. Try challenging yourself to shop online—locally—for all the recipients on your list. Shopping now will help many small businesses stay afloat.
Master a manicure. It’s part educational opportunity, part indulgence, part necessity. We love this kit from Olive and June, along with their IG manicure bootcamps. Got gel you need to get gone? Try this kit, and support one of the many wonderful companies that have shifted gears to produce hand sanitizer.
Binge with purpose. Missing Don Draper? Same. Here’s reason enough to tune back in to Rolling Stone’s fourth-ranked TV show of all time—this time with color commentary. In April, The Ringer will debut its new podcast The Wire: Way Down in the Hole where listeners are invited to watch (or rewatch) the second-ranked show of all time, then hear hosts Van Lathan and Jemele Hill break it down.
Holiday prep (yes, really). Right now the holidays feel like a far-away fantasy, but yes, they will come. Why not put this downtime to good use and start your gift lists (and shopping now if you can), clean up card lists and—dare we say—even capitalize on your togetherness by snapping a family photo (try your timer function).
Find your words with Brene. Brene Brown is all of us right now—and this one episode of her new podcast, Unlocking Us, captures the weariness many of us are feeling with the impact of this crisis. But even more than offering solidarity, she shares pragmatic strategies based on her decades of research (topped off by her soothing Southern drawl and the occasional, satisfying swear).
See that show. The Six, one of Broadway’s most anticipated musicals, was all set to open—then, COVID-19. But the soundtrack to this modern retelling of Henry VIII’s six wives in Spice Girls concert fashion is out and as amazing as you might think—and the story’s in the songs.
Bake it ‘til you make it. Step right over that sourdough starter—you’re made for better challenges. Do it for you or for loved ones you feed. We’ve been following the path set out for us by Bon Appetit’s Basically, and love the skill-level increases that happen as confidence in your mad skills grows.
Keep tabs on appointments. Cancellations: We’ve had plenty. Don’t let them fade into the ether; take this time to put them all in one place with phone numbers so you can reset them when it’s possible. On the other hand, some practices are offering virtual visits, so if you simply need a check-up or prescription, you might check it off your list—from the comfort of home.
Put it away (for now). For many of us who’ve had to bring the office home or refill an empty nest, space is a new commodity. Are there things that might need to find a new home for the time being? Make Space is operating as an essential business with contactless pick up. They’ll pick up, store, then bring back your stuff when you need it. Bonus: You just might find some items weren’t essential after all.
Share the goods. Staying at home can make us feel disengaged from the world, but now’s a time when small, individual kindnesses matter most. Say an extra thank you to those doing essential work, offer to pick up extra groceries for neighbors in need, and see if you can buy gift cards or pre-pay for services from dog walkers, hair stylists and cleaners. And give what you can to established charities, if you can.
Take stock. Make a list of important people in your life—family, friends, colleagues and service providers. Then check in on at least three of them each day. It can be a simple text, a call or a video meetup. You can even send an old school letter.
Take the plunge on that pet. Thinking about adding to your family? Now is the time. Many rescues need homes and you have the luxury of time to get a new pet trained and acclimated.
Tiger King. Is it useful? Hmmm...define useful. But once you start this Netflix docuseries you Can’t. Turn. Away. At the very least, watching increases your chances of getting every joke for the next few months.
