How To Live

Hi, friend! 🌸

I recently shared how my daily morning pages (inspired by The Artist’s Way) have changed my life, but I’ve actually been an avid journaler since middle school. I’ve tried many different modalities and now incorporate a bit of each whenever I need it: from bullet journaling, to gratitude journaling, and free writing. 

For a few months now, I’ve played around with the idea of facilitating a guided journaling workshop here in New York, but I’ve found many reasons why I shouldn’t try (trying new things is still so scary). A few weeks ago, I went to a local journaling class in Brooklyn and I left feeling so inspired to create something of my own. So… New York-based people, I need your help! ❤️

Please fill out this quick survey, which should only take 30 seconds.

While at this workshop, I was introduced to a prompt that deeply moved me. I want to share it with you! I have a feeling that it may move you as well.

Inspired by the poem “How to Live,” by Charles Harper Webb, I wrote my own stream of consciousness credo on how to live a meaningful life. While simple, it was an extremely powerful exercise that I haven’t been able to stop thinking about for weeks. How to Live (Amanda’s version) feels like a gateway connecting me with the most joyful, authentic and aligned version of myself. I hope that it will do the same for you.

I know that many of you are looking for small ways to incorporate self-reflection and meaning into your daily lives. I invite you to write your own version of How To Live at some point this week.

Grab a pen and paper, maybe put on your favorite song. There’s no wrong way to do this - write whatever comes to mind about your present or future self! An important note: do this in under 5 minutes. This should be done as a stream of consciousness exercise (see my example below). Seriously, don’t overthink it!

Looking back on what I wrote, I definitely missed a few things but it turned out to be nearly perfect.

How to Live (Amanda’s Version)

Go swimming in bodies of freshwater even if you forgot your bathing suit. 

Buy flowers and arrange them and give them to your friends. 

Write birthday cards, holiday cards, thank you cards, and cards just to say I love you. 

Send them. 

Go for walks in the morning and walks in the evening and notice the phases of the moon. 

Meet your neighbors because they may be an old Polish man named Henry who becomes your friend and tell you neighborhood gossip and family drama.

Say yes to spending time with new people and kind people who make you feel seen and at peace. 

Get out of the city and surround yourself with trees as often as you can.

Take trips to see your childhood best friends. 

Go to the farmers market and eat every variety of stone fruit and make berry crumbles and tomato salads and corn on the cob.

Be quick to forgive people for their mistakes and also forgive yourself for not being perfect and not knowing everything. 

Play all kinds of games.

Ask your parents questions about their lives and maybe even record their answers.

Do this with your grandparents if you are lucky enough to have them around.

Never stop creating and making things with your hands.

Prioritize trying new things and being a complete beginner.

Say yes to weddings and happy life events in general because it’s just as important to show up in the good times.

Journal in the morning and read novels in the evening.

Make music with your friends and harmonize and appreciate the blend of your unique voices coming together to create something rich and textured and beautiful.

Find a community garden and learn how to weed, fertilize, and harvest.

Get quiet when you are outside, close your eyes, and listen to bird songs.

Stay curious about yourself, strangers, and the world around you.  

What is part of your How to Live? If you feel comfy, drop a few lines from How to Live (Your Version) in the comments below. I look forward to reading. ❤️️

Recommending in July

To read:

Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. Violent subject matter (mass incarceration in a dystopian future that eerily resembles the modern-day US…) and beautiful writing. It was devastating, funny, and deeply moving.

“The Unbranding of Abercrombie'' from The Cut, an in-depth analysis of Abercrombie’s brand makeover. As a former (and current) lover of Abercrombie I found this article fascinating. I’m sure many 20-30 somethings will relate. 

To watch:

America’s Sweethearts on Netflix. I am not one for sports documentaries but this show captivated me from the first episode. I even shed some tears. Shoutout to my childhood friend who worked on this show - I love you and I’m proud of you!  

To listen:

“Julia Gets Wise with Patti Smith” on the Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus podcast. A conversation on creativity, friendship, loss, and gratitude. Listening to this was a treat.

“Why Experiencing Awe With Others Feels So Magical” on A Slight Change of Plans podcast. A conversation with a psychologist on collective effervescence, the feeling we get when we experience something transcendent with other people. I loved learning more about this phenomenon and its long-term benefits to our health.

To eat:

Yewande Komolafe’s Coconut Fish and Tomato Bake from NYT cooking. 5 stars for a reason! This recipe is simple, flavorful, healthy, and restaurant-quality. Make it ASAP.

I had one of my most memorable and delicious meals recently at Achilles Heel in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. If you live in New York, go ASAP before they change the summer menu. If you don’t live here, add it to your itinerary for your next NYC visit.

Sparking Joy This Week

This week's little joys

• Painting my nails for the first time in months. I chose a bubblegum pink color and it makes me feel happy every time I look down.

• Taking a last minute trip to the Catskills. We stayed at the Spruceton Inn and it was perfect: rustic with thoughtful details.

• Walking to the water after dinner on warm summer nights.

• Zinnias, which might be my new favorite flower!

If you enjoyed reading Spring Cleaning this week, here are a few ways you can support me and my writing:

❤️️Leave a comment or like on this post (below)! 

❤️️Send the link to your friends, or talk about it in person!

❤️️Restack this post!

Thank you so much for reading! I deeply appreciate each and every one of you. 🌸