10 Offline Things I Did This Week
Plus, a cardamom maple syrup latte to get you in the festive spirit
🍁 The Offline Things list is free, but there is a cardamom maple latte recipe for paid subscribers at the end
🕯️ And just a reminder: any product mentioned here is not an affiliate link - there is no third party advertising here
I hope this piece finds you cozy, warm, and in healthy spirits.
We’ve turned back the clocks and winter is coming. I’m still trying to get used to the fact that it is dark for a solid four hours before it’s “socially acceptable” to fall asleep.
But really, what even is a socially acceptable bedtime in your 30s? As the weather turns colder, I feel less guilty (and, frankly, sweet relief) for spending more time indoors, opting out of social engagements in favor of curling into bed at 9:00 PM with a good book. (Currently, I’m reading On Our Best Behavior by Elise Loehnen.)
Fall means the end of the “gotta make the most of summer!” season (which I wrote about here), and I’ve been prioritizing sleep as much as possible—New York City has a lot of dreadful viruses swirling around at the moment.
Cold air swooped in last week swiftly and abruptly. Even in my light puffer jacket, I felt chilly, yet the stubborn New Englander in me couldn’t persuade myself to whip out my serious arctic winter coat just yet.
That said, as you’ll read below, I’m warmly welcoming in the winter season in more ways than one. I’m burning coniferous tree candles (both Mrs. Meyer’s Iowa Pine and Thymes Frasier Fir). Both are gentle enough that they don’t smell too sweet (no caramel and gingerbread headaches) but smell like you’re all cozied up in a big, beautiful forest.
It’s been a while since I did an offline list, where I share some moments (both good, and bad) that keep me anchored in the present.
My offline time is extremely precious to me—and I hope my list helps bring awareness to your own sweet offline practice.
**Note: Any item I link to in this list is not an affiliate link. I have stopped using them because I believe it's challenging to maintain complete honesty when promoting affiliate links, which are primarily profit-driven. Whenever someone promotes a product using an affiliate link, there's often a financial incentive to favor one product over another, which can compromise the sincerity and truth of a recommendation. As part of my commitment to "de-influencing," I no longer use affiliate links (though, when my book comes out, I may use one). When I share a product, it's based on my genuine and honest use of the product, and I'm not concerned about whether you make a purchase. I'd prefer that you support my work with a $5 monthly subscription here, rather than contribute to the online noise of people urging you to buy things. I prioritize the value of my work over promoting products, and hope you will consider, too.
10 Offline Things I Did This Week
Stocked up on herbal (+ caffeinated!) tea and put a few bags in a ramekin atop my espresso machine for easy reaching. I also purchased some local New Jersey honey and have been enjoying a steaming cup of tea each afternoon with a big glob of that honey.
My little tea, coffee, and herb area (with a bundle of dried thyme) Went to DC to speak to Congress, policymakers and organizers about the harms of tech and social media on our youth. The event was called Safe Tech, Safe Kids, and it was organized by the Council for Responsible Social Media. The event drew bipartisan support; its ultimate goal was to spread awareness around the different laws, bills, and solutions circulating that can help protect children from violent videos, addicting algorithms, and online harassment. I sat at a table with three mothers who had lost their young sons to suicide due to online bullying and sexploitation. It was a heavy event, but it was hopeful to be in a room full people who feel passionate about a healthier tech future. I met Randi Weingarten, Frances Haugen, and the mother behind David’s Law—a bill that requires school districts to include cyberbullying in their district bullying policies and notify a child's parent(s) if they are a victim or the alleged aggressor of bullying. David’s Law is named after her son, David, who took his own life after getting aggressively cyberbullied and addicted to online gaming. It’s sobering to realize just how technology can affect young minds.
Discovered this beautiful song, “anything”, by Adrienne Lenker. It’s played a lot at my yoga studio, and I finally remembered during class this week to take note of the lyrics so I could go home and find out the name. Adrienne’s voice is sweet and nostalgic. I like to listen to her album, Songs, in the early morning while sipping coffee and journaling.
Drew oil pastels at the park with a friend. Growing up, my grandmother Roz would buy me art supplies each year on my birthday. Oil pastels, nice paper, sketch pads, pastels. She was an artist and always inspired all her grandchildren to express themselves through art. I recently purchased myself a set of oil pastels after going to the George O’Keeffe exhibit at MoMA.
Went on a run. And watched the NYC marathon. Am I going to sign up for the NYC Half?!? Perhaps. I am feeling inspired, and my brother-in-law is cheering me on in the family group chat. We will see.
Ate tinned mussels and Cape Cod kettle chips! Okay, here me out. Tinned fish is having a moment, but tinned mussels are on another planet. I ate this combo a lot right during my egg freezing process as my doctor told me to eat a lot of salty foods (NO PROBLEM, DOC!). It’s an iconic duo and a 2023 rendition of either caviar or tuna tartar + potato chip NYE combo. I know what I’m bringing to holiday parties this year—a bag of quality potato chips and a can of Patagonia tinned mussels! Here here, bivalve mollusks!
Bought a compost bin and began composting. I was tired of my trash can smelling and the food decomposing in my trash bin. No matter how much I cleaned it, it always smelled. Plus, I love the idea that my food waste is helping the soil become more rich here in NYC. I got a very basic one on Amazon and fill it with my scraps and coffee grinds. It’s so satisfying!
Started to get in the holiday spirit. If you didn’t know, I am a Christmas girlie. Along with the Mrs. Meyer’s Iowa Pine candle, I bought a ton of hand soaps, dish soap, and the all-purpose spray in the same lovely scent, so it’s going to be extra piney in my apartment from here on out. This is one of my favorite times of year, and as a good friend told me last week while she was also stocking up on holiday scented things, “If this is our one vice, I’d say we’re doing pretty good.” I am already listening to The Nutcracker, but I won’t listen to official Christmas music probably until Thanksgiving weekend (sorry, Mariah). Though, I’m loving this Duke Ellington rendition of The Nutcracker’s “Overture”. It’s just so New York, so autumn, so cozy.
Scalded myself with a clothes steamer. Note to self: Pay attention to the fill line, and don’t overfill! Boiling water can and will exit the steamer and burn your neck!
Perfected the below cardamom maple syrup latte. I first had one a few weeks ago at Poppy’s, one of my favorite cafes in Brooklyn. I had a sip and thought, “I can make this myself”. So I did! Recipe for paid subscribers only!