Good Things: August 2023

Updates and other good things from Gill

Aug 25, 2023

Image above: a rough sketch for a painting that I ended up liking much more than the final piece— isn’t that just how it always goes?

The basics

When I write whatever this monthly thing is, I like to think about not only what I’m currently going through but what feels like the general pulse of those around me. Are we feeling energized and ready to start something new? Or are we a bit run down and just trying to rest? I know we’re never all on the exact same page, but it usually feels like folks are going through similar cycles.

This month I’ve been feeling a tension between wanting to ramp things up and needing to take space and rest. It’s like I have some momentum back, but I want to use that momentum to get myself to a healthy, sustainable state rather than push from 0 to 100 again.

As I was thinking about how to go about this, I had a great conversation with a friend about the need to simply maintain basic “self-care” routines. I think the term “self-care” has gotten a really bad rap because it’s been associated with things like journaling, aromatherapy, and massages— “extra” things that might help but can sometimes feel like a lot. For me, I’ve realized that self-care is about simply taking care of the basics. Did I drink enough water? Have I exercised? Am I getting enough sleep? It turns out, especially as we get older, we tend to feel better when we do these basic things. Who knew!

Like most simple things, the basics can be the easiest to forget and to let slide when we’re having a rough time. For instance, I had been experiencing really low energy for a while and decided to check in with my doctor, who asked if I had been taking my iron supplements. I said yes, but after thinking about it I realized that realistically I had only been taking them a few times a week due to how often I simply forgot. Since that appointment I’ve been taking my vitamins at the same time each day and miraculously feel better. Who knew!

Another example comes up a lot when I’m working with the parents of children who are having a tough time. They want to know what they can do (or, more often, what I am going to do) to “fix” their child, as if there’s a magic solution that will make things immediately better. The advice I give to most parents is very simple but somehow always proves difficult to practice: slow down, listen, and be with the child without judgement. When I check in with these parents weeks later, I almost always find that they expect “results” but haven’t actually spent more time with their child.

All this to say: don’t forget about the basics— sometimes we make things way too complicated.

my pictures are still here

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Image above: a screenshot of one of Caitlin Reilly’s short film masterpieces

Featured Maker: Caitlin Reilly

Caitlin Reilly may have single handedly gotten me through the first three years of this pandemic and I’m realizing I never shouted her out here?? Truly a miss. Listen, if you’ve never seen one of this talented actress’s videos then you may actually live under a rock but don’t worry, I’m here to show you the light. There is no bad place to start but if you must have a rec, try this, this, or this. Clear your calendar because you’ve got a lot of A++ content to get through!

check her out

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Image above: she didn’t quite make the list, but Angelica ASMR gets an honorable mention. Here she is pictured giving a very official medical exam.

August Playlist: ASMR Videos

At the risk of having all of you quickly unsubscribe, I’m ready to out myself as a very avid listener of ASMR. Similar to how many people have lo-fi beats or classical music on in the background, I’ll often have ASMR videos quietly playing while I read, draw, or write notes.

Anyway, here are my top 5 current favorite ASMR-tists— it was so hard to narrow it down to 5 so I’m going to need to share more sometime, sorry not sorry!

atmosphere - my #1 fav ride or die. The quality of these videos is absolutely out of control ya’ll!! From mermaids to baba yagas to aliens, atmosphere does it all in the most meticulous way with the most fabulous audio.

itsblitzzz - ok so I honestly am not into her life updates (love her though and wish her the best!) — I’m just here for the ASMR! She does some veryyy relaxing massages on people and has inspired me to be better about moisturizing.
Liziqi - I’m not sure if this counts as “true” ASMR but it is definitely peaceful and relaxing so I’m going to say yes. Send me your conspiracy theories about what happened to her!
Lorri Latte ASMR - It’s not just for kids, ya’ll— Lori Latte is a grown ass woman and she is killin it! I’m not embarrassed to say that I did try a vanilla latte from McDonalds solely because she loves them so much and I was not disappointed.
Simply ASMR - This is the ASMR-tist who’s newest on my roster but I’m already obsessed! I love a simple lo-fi vid (and love a whats-in-my-bag vid!).

Do you listen to ASMR? Probably not but hey if you do, send me your favs ok?

Recent Work: Writing

Like many others, I’m really great at coming up with ideas for projects but not so good at seeing them through to completion. For a while this really frustrated me and though I still would like to set goals to get my projects finished, I’ve been really enjoying exploring new ideas and swimming in the ideation phase. When I get blocked with drawing or painting, I like to sit with my sketchbook and see what words come out. (If this doesn’t work, I’ll look up a cute animal to draw— works every time!)

What phase do you like the best when it comes to personal projects? Are you someone who can’t enjoy the work until it’s out the door, or do you more like to swirl around and live in the process?

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Image above: cute lil purple flowers with yellow circle centers

Some Other Good Things

I’m obsessed with the world that these kids created, documented by Carson Ellis. It reminds me of a camp I did for a week in 6th grade— I ran a store that sold tamagotchi beds made out of popsicle sticks (commissions currently closed sorry yall)
Found out about resortpass.com just in time for the end of summer, of course! Next summer I want to visit a LOT more fancy pools.
This recent Little Dragon tiny desk concert! I agree with the person who said this video is like catching up with a friend you haven’t heard from in a long time and finding out they’re doing better than ever.
Poems— are ya’ll into poems? I’m not really but I’ve been seeing some good ones here and there and would love a recco for a great anthology. Let me know if there’s one you love!
The liquor.com painkiller recipe. Perfect for these hot August nights.
Running errands on my lunch break. I’m still chasing the high I felt the other day from going to the grocery store, taking the groceries home, putting them in my fridge, petting my dog, and arriving back at the office all within an hour. Is this what being a modern woman feels like?
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