Holiday Cheer
A fun holiday activity, quick updates, and what's sparking joy
Hi from Brooklyn! December always flies by, but I feel like this year it’s been moving even more quickly than usual. It’s been a month since I published my last post here and honestly, I’ve been struggling with decision fatigue while trying ‘define’ what this Substack is. I’ve felt pressure from myself to pick a lane for what I share, which is connected to what I’m currently working through on a personal level: trying to get back in touch with my truest self and hopefully, define and identify a path (or multiple paths!?) to pursue professionally.
I listened to an incredible podcast this week on finding one’s purpose and it discussed how clues often lie in early childhood interests and learning during that age. It took me a few days of attempting to connect with 6 year old Amanda, but thinking about it brought up some fascinating memories and helpful clues! Have you ever thought about this? Leave a comment and let me know if you see any throughline between your early childhood interests and where you are today professionally and/or personally. I’m so curious about this!
Anyways, I’m still very much in the thick of this process and don’t have definitive answers yet. When it comes to this newsletter, for now I’m going to let myself write without boundaries and see where that takes me! Thank you for bearing with me as I test the waters. 🏄♀️
I started writing today because I wanted to share something I did recently that made me really happy. My hope is that you will find time to do this over the next few weeks while many of us are home for the holidays or with family and friends. But this could really be done at any time!
I’ve always been a big fan of dinner party/ice breaker questions - maybe it’s the inner camp counselor and former theater kid in me. I saw a video on TikTok where the creator compiled a list of questions she wished she’d asked her mom before she passed away. When I was home over Thanksgiving, I was inspired to ask my mom some of these questions (plus a few of my own) during a long car ride we had together driving back to the East Bay from Healdsburg. The result was a really deep, emotional, and fun conversation. My mom and I are close, but asking these more structured questions allowed me to learn more about different parts of her life.
I couldn’t recommend doing this enough with a parent or another close person in your life. But maybe plan it better than I did - I furiously took notes on my phone but wish that I also recorded our conversation because I want to remember her answers forever! Please use these questions for inspiration, add your own, and let me know if there are any good ones you think I should add to this list by commenting below. I’m always building out this list 🙂
Questions to go deeper with your loved ones
What’s your favorite place you’ve ever been and why?
What’s your fondest childhood memory?
What were some of the happiest days of your life?
Do you have any big life regrets?
What was your relationship with your parents like?
What was your biggest heartbreak?
What’s your biggest fear?
Tell me about a historical event that you lived through, and what was that like?
What was I like as a kid?
What was the biggest surprise to you about becoming a parent?
Things sparking joy this week
This interview on the Huberman Lab podcast with Robert Greene: A Process for Finding & Achieving Your Unique Purpose - Not to be dramatic but this is everything I needed and more right now! Robert Greene has such an interesting perspective, and even if you’re not in a self-help/discovery era like me (lol), I think it’s still fascinating and important! Huberman Lab can be a bit too science-y for me at times, but this was perfect. A+++.
This recipe on repeat - My go to healthy, easy, cheap weeknight dinner. WIN^3. It’s a vegetarian recipe and even my carnivorous partner loves it! Make sure to double or even triple the amount of lemon if you’re a citrus fiend like me.
Numi Sleep Slumber Chamomile and Lavender Tea - Buy this, sleep like a bebe and thank me later.
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron - Thank you to my sister for turning me on to this practice! Have you done this course?! I am loving it so far and happy to share my experience if you’re interested.
Please leave a comment or reach out to me if there’s anything in particularly you want me to talk about or share in this space!! Thank you so much for reading! Your support truly means the world to me and I’m grateful for you. 🌸
lentil soup recipe was incredible! Thanks for the rec!