Annotations Nº 4: Libraries, Sigmund Freud, An Ina Garten Recipe, & Esther Perel

Happy little distractions.

To say that this week has been difficult is a gross understatement. I started it feeling disoriented and heavy. I moved slowly, struggled with brain fog, and couldn’t get up before 8:00 AM. For the first time, I cried in front of my therapist. I cry a lot, but I hate crying in front of others and usually do everything I can to avoid it. This time, though, it was just too much to hold in, and as soon as we started talking, the floodgates opened. I was a wreck.

Despite everything, I’m holding onto a small bit of hope. I hope that, whatever your week held, you were able to take a moment to catch your breath, recalibrate, and figure out a way forward—even if only in small, quiet ways. Sometimes, that’s all we can do.

This week’s note is a quick one, but I hope it offers you a little bit of happy distraction and a boost of dopamine for what might have been an equally tough, low-energy week for you, too. We’re all figuring it out as we go. Take care of yourself, and thank you for being here. <3

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I’ve been loving this song by Yoshika Colwell & The Vernon Spring. I haven’t been listening to much music lately, usually opting for ambient noise to help me focus while I work. But recently, Spotify slipped this one into my recommendations. Normally, I ignore those (my small act of rebellion against the algorithms), but they got me this time. This song perfectly blends classical and ambient, with her delicate, melodic vocals floating effortlessly above. It’s a beautiful, soothing presence—perfect for a quiet moment or to ease into a working flow.

A free month of Open. I want to share this link again because if there was ever a time we could all use a month of free meditations and workouts, it’s now. I turn to their meditation, breathwork, yoga, and Pilates classes regularly, and I’ve found it invaluable for grounding and self-care—it’s a great addition to anyone’s resource kit. You can try it out for a month, gratis, through the link above.

Letter to a Friend Who is Thinking of Starting Something New. I wish I had read this before beginning my journey on Substack. It would have saved me a lot of suffering. There’s so much wisdom here—advice I think anyone could benefit from, whether a creative, a business owner, or someone standing at the threshold of some new endeavor. It’s a reminder that every beginning has its own rhythm and that sometimes, moving at a slower pace is exactly what’s needed.

You have to free your mind of the narrative that the world is out to get you, and notice the difference between imagination and reality. When you catch yourself saying “nobody likes my work”, witness your thoughts and replace them with “I am struggling”.