Image above: my favorite meme of this month, shared by a client who says my voice is constantly in their head when they bring their phone into their bedroom at night (don’t do it!)
Decisions & technology & energy
Moving into 2024 I’ve felt like I really want to GET STUFF DONE, but I’ve had a tough time prioritizing exactly what. As I’ve been making lists and digging into the projects that are pulling me in different directions, one core dilemma has been coming up again and again: my love vs distrust for technology.
All my life I’ve been very heavily online and have loved trying out all the latest gadgets, but as I pursued a career in tech and experienced the underbelly of the machine this world felt more and more toxic to me. This experience paired with the data (and my lived experience) of how bad screens are for our health has caused some real tension in my relationship with technology— every day I wonder what the right balance is for me and my work. Should I dive back into digital product design and meet folks where they’re currently at (aka on their phones)? Or should I GTFO of the screen and encourage others to do so too?
With this in mind, this month I’ve been working on two projects that explore and confront our relationships with technology: (1) an app, and (2) an in-person workshop, both focused on how individuals can dig into and become more intentional about their use of screens. As I’ve worked on each project I’ve paid close attention to how effective in-person vs. online solutions feel and have noticed that though tech can help us through increasing efficiency and connection, it can also be a detriment to these same areas.
One afternoon, in the midst of these projects, I experienced a therapy session with a client that made my direction feel much more clear. This might sound a little woo woo but as we were talking, I physically felt the young client’s energy fill the room. This person had experienced an unimaginable amount of trauma in their young life, so often experienced bouts of heavy sadness seemingly out of nowhere. As one of these waves swept over them, it also swept to me, feeling cold and heavy and instantly causing my eyes to water. Thinking back on this moment I swear I could see the energy as a fluid blue mass out of the corner of my eye.
This experience was the wake up call I needed to remember the importance of the energy that we constantly put out into the world. Though I do think our energy can be communicated digitally, it is also often is lost when translated to zeros and ones and especially when we are hunched over a screen for too long. I think my work will always fall somewhere in between digital and analog, but I now feel grounded in what’s truly important and special about being an organic being on planet earth and will use this to help me make decisions as I move forward. If the energy isn’t good and the thing I’m working on doesn’t help create more good energy, it won’t be prioritized. This message feels freeing because it allows me to continue to live in both of these worlds while giving me a method to make decisions and narrow down what I’m working on.
How do you prioritize what you work on/what direction you go? Do you have any cannon experiences that helped shift your direction? I’d love to hear them!
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Image above: the glowy etherial magic of Sung Hwa Kim in the form of a ghosty figure in a field of grasses under a dusky sky
Featured Maker: Sung Hwa Kim
I lovee a glowy blurry vibe so you can bet that I fell instantly in love with Sung Hwa Kim’s etherial paintings. I also love seeing how artists achieve these effects— Kim notes using “flashe” which I’d never heard of before— excited to learn more about that! I hope you love entering Kim’s spirit world as much as I do.
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Image above: my dog in the rain
February Playlist: just some songs I like this month
Stylistically this playlist might read as a lot of what the kids are calling new shoegaze or “goth” music these days but really they are just some songs I’ve had on repeat this month. This mostly rainy and cold month has felt pretty energetic to me so this dark yet electric audio vibe has been working for me. I hope you like!
Once then we’ll be free : Wisp
Forever : Night Tapes
Surprise : Laveda
Channel 2 : Slow Pulp
Gratitude : IDLES
Spiral : ThxSoMch
One of These : Wombo
Esta Noche Que Sali : Estrada
Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away) : HEALTH
Circles : Pictureplane
Image above: a rough concept sketch for a project— I’m loving simple contrasting colors lately!
Recent Work: My Wardrobe
As a person who loves things to look and feel cute, I’m constantly struggling to find balance between treating myself to fun new fashion finds and being sustainable by buying less and loving/leaning into what I already have.
Last year I challenged myself to only buy used and while I learned a lot and felt way better about my impact on the planet, I also found that I would sometimes take the “it’s not new so I can buy whatever I want!” mindset too far. I found myself being a lot less picky about my choices, treating thrift shops like an extension of my closet that I could trade into and out of. While I don’t necessarily think this is a bad way to live and that method might work for some, I found myself icked out by moving through pieces so quickly.
As I entered 2024, I realized that what makes me most happy are pieces that are comfortable, well constructed, versatile, and special. Like Marie Kondo preaches, each item must SPARK JOY and while a fun new sweater from the Goodwill may spark joy for a moment, the acrylic fibers cause that feeling to fade quickly.
Here are my updated 2024 guidelines for adding new items to my closet:
Quality materials only: if it’s not made of at least 90% natural fibers it’s likely not making it’s way into my closet. 100% cotton, hemp or linen are always my go-tos but my favorite thing to look for at thrift shops are 100% cashmere sweaters (they make me feel bougie AND warm okay!). Checking material labels is one of the best practical tips I learned from my mom and I always regret it when I let a synthetic fiber slip into my closet!
Less is more 2024: While last year I let myself go for it as long as everything was second hand, this year I’m letting myself buy new while being more selective about the quality and quantity of the items. I’ve been consistently purging out items that I don’t wear frequently and am very proud of how small my closet has gotten so would like to keep it that way— having less items makes it easier to make choices and get dressed!
Before buying, check if I already have it: OK this sounds dumb but hear me out: what I mean is that when I want something, I now challenge myself to dig through my closet to find something similar and try wearing that thing rather than buy the new thing. So many times I’ve used this strategy and either (a) realize that I have something so similar to the thing I wanted already, so wear that instead or (b) realize that the reason I don’t have a thing like what I wanted is because it isn’t actually something I would wear.
Do you have any wardrobe tips that you live by or are trying out this year?
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Image above: cute lil purple flowers with yellow circle centers
Some Other Good Things
My tip for staying cozy and leaning into the gloomy weather: slippers, a fuzzy blanket, a cup of nettle tea, a book, and a cute lofi youtube vid playing in the background (like this one)
The new Mr. & Mrs. Smith show on Amazon! So fun, such great chemistry. For fans of Atlanta and Pen15, obviously
This color meditation by Dora Kamau and MoMA. Pretty and peaceful! If you have any other meditative videos you love plz let me know— I’m always on the hunt both for work and for myself.
Plant based babybels! Can you believe? They are actually pretty great— I’m impressed
This tutorial for Procreate Dreams was recommended by another artist and I think it’s so great and to the point. I still havent dove into the app myself but I’m impressed by all the features and it seems v easy to use!
I moved my website from Squarespace to Carrd last month and forgot to give that platform a solid shout-out. Squarespace has consistently been upping their prices and for someone who just wanted a simple portfolio site it really was not worth it anymore! Carrd is $19 a year and has everything I need, including custom domain hookups, analytics, and built in SEO. Highly recommend!
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Thanks for reading – see you next month!
I love your newsletter Gill! This explanation of a palpable energy expression is so powerful! Thank you for sharing! Also my best tip is just leaving my phone out of the room at night- changes my mornings!
I absolutely adore your newsletter! Though we’ve only been digital friends, I can really feel your energy & personality through your art & writing! 🖤 I’ve been marinating on my own balance of tech & real life (it’s such a struggle). I feel similarly about my wardrobe—I got carried away with thrift too & end up re-donating more often. I’m being more selective with what I bring in now as well. Thanks for the tips!