Listening to: Sigh Swoon’s new Patreon podcast. She recently contracted C*VID and as an unvaccinated person, wanted to share her thoughts on the vaccine and the cultural narrative around it. I’m vaccinated, and I found her perspective compelling and valuable. There are widespread assumptions about unvaccinated people that they’re anti-vax, totally selfish, etc., and she presents thoughtful nuance through the lens of a POC who grew up low-income with immigrant parents wary of the U.S. healthcare system.
Feeling: Physically, like a million bucks, which is helping a lot mentally, too. Andrew’s dad is a chiropractor who also offers holistic nutrition/functional medicine services from his practice. He’s helping guide some dietary changes for us and we both feel exponentially better after just a week. So far, this involves no eating from 10 PM to 10 AM, and cutting/timing carbs to help stabilize blood sugar. It’s looking like protein, fat, vegetables, and a little fruit throughout the day, and a good carb source for dinner. Honestly, this is how I used to eat before I started dating Andrew. It’s funny how relationships make you establish new rituals together, even as simple as toasting an English muffin for the other before they wake up. I never want to be prescriptive or diet-adjacent about eating, e.g. if I have leftover pasta from a dinner out, I will still eat it the next day for lunch. But in general I am trying to listen to my body on timing and food groups.
Excited for: We are officially booked to spend a weekend in New York City mid-September. This will be my first time there since 2017 and the primary goal is EATING ALL THE THINGS. I’ve never had a proper Big Apple jaunt. It was always just hitting a show for a night or attending a work conference and going home. Even one of my party tricks is admitting that I’ve never been to Brooklyn. So stay tuned and send recs as I book reservations and plan my outfits a month in advance.
Grateful for: The kind responses to my most recent piece, My face all poked and prodded on filler and Botox. I was nervous to share this, waiting for trolls to tell me I’m part of the problem with beauty standards. But I’m glad I trusted my gut and went for it. There’s always a story behind our philosophies on beauty, and what is this newsletter but a platform to share my own? PS I also pitched this to Into the Gloss, so if anyone knows someone, help a girl out.
Thinking: About how money shapes our perceptions of people and the language we use to describe them. I don’t just mean “she’s rich” or “he’s broke.” When we compliment someone on their work ethic or discipline or ability to compartmentalize, money is the prevailing context—their capacity for earning and spending. And those qualities become quantifying, i.e. she’s a better person because she works hard. What about a part-time worker making ten bucks an hour who’s stable and content? We talk about them like they’re lost. “Yeah, he works at the gas station. Not sure what went wrong there. He was always really smart.” Our brains are wired to center personal integrity on capitalist ideals. This is creepy. This is gross. We need to challenge it. If I quit my job(s) tomorrow to work 20 hours a week at Trader Joe’s, what’s the big deal? Am I a less attractive friend if I can’t spend on big meals or trips, even if I’m at my healthiest, happiest, and most supportive? Of course, this would never happen because working hard is a source of joy for me, and money a symbol of freedom. But that’s not how it is for everyone, and it does not make them less than. If anything, I personally could learn from someone whose mental state is less tied to their bank account. Society has convinced us that our circle should be motivating, comprised of successful people who inspire us to better ourselves. But why is improvement always an underlying goal? What about maintenance? The people who help you (and vice versa) move through the world with a sense of ease and simplicity? It’s little things like consistency, laughter, adventure, a listening ear, etc. that keep gas in the tank. We can aspire to be rich c*nts iced out together in Ibiza someday and still prioritize the good stuff.
Wanting: New sneakers for fall. I’ve been eyeing these Nike Space Hippies. I can’t help but feel bad about this because I have plenty of shoes that I love. Someone validate me!!!
Almost half of Broke But Moisturized subscribers are paid. What a surreal and joyous thing, to have your art deemed worthy of financial support. You can get in on this for $5 a month. I’d set it lower if Substack let me, but consider it buying me a latte every month. How sweet of you.