me ⇆ my future self

for me, january has been about leaning into the season, inspired by my best friend, liz, who’s been fully embracing her first minnesota winter—think BBQs on frozen lakes, snowy walks, and cozy evenings around the fireplace.

this being my first winter in rome, i’ve been exploring what makes winter feel like winter here. weather-wise, it means a bit of rain and—to my delight—plenty of beautiful, brisk, blue-sky days.

at home, i’ve been finding ways to catch my breath after a year of transitions. below, i’m sharing my delights—most of which can be stitched together with the intention to be kinder and gentler with myself. i’d love to hear what helps you feel grounded during the winter—reply or comment to share :)

growing up in one of the only counties in the US that still keeps blue laws (prohibiting the sale of selling electronics, clothing & furniture), sunday was always a quiet day. since the new year, i keep returning to this thought-provoking conversation between ezra klein and judith shulevitz, author of “the sabbath world: glimpses of a different order of time.” ezra begins, “what would I be like if I actually knew how to rest?” (🎯!)

since reading katie merchant’s october newsletter, i’ve been taken with the idea of preparing for your future self. katie cites a chapter of The Long Form by Kate Briggs, where the author recounts her grandmother’s ritual of preparing for the next morning: setting the breakfast table for one—sugar bowl, toast rack and all. briggs writes,

Like preparing for bed by readying the table for breakfast, it is both a closing gesture and a clear invitation to continue (to wake up, to get up, to carry on). It allows for pause, for rest; for a new or regathering of anticipation.

“a clear invitation to continue” is probably a bit of what we all could use when daylight is limited. beyond that, it can be a gentle re-framing of something we do to look out for our future self (e.g. going to physical therapy). moreover, it potentially serves as a less consumerist approach to self-care: the relationship and the act of service take center stage, as opposed to a one directional “little treat” transaction.

me ⇆ ( ( in relationship with / acting for ) ) ⇆ my future self

i’ve been haunted by a pair of vintage baby blue leather gloves in the window of a second hand store on via boschetto (boschetto means little woods 🥺). i declare this baby blue season!

in the spirit of preparing for my future self, i’ve been making a big batch of oatmeal 1-2x/week. i just learned about samantha seneviratne’s brilliant technique: cooking the oatmeal in a skillet instead of a pot. to make faster and creamier oats, here’s the approach i’ve been using from the nyt:

makes 2 servings

1. in a large skillet, combine 1 cup oats, 1 cup milk, 1 cup water, a pinch of salt, and maple syrup (to taste).

2. bring to a simmer over medium-high, then reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently, until the oats are tender, 4 - 7 minutes. (oatmeal thickens off the heat.)

3. spoon into bowls and top with milk / toppings.*

   *I suggest roasting halved walnuts in a skillet until fragrant and added a bit of salt and maple syrup!!