It’s Friday again, Mamas. That means it’s #FridayRoundup time!
It’s my weekly cornucopia of interesting things that come across the transom. Thank you so much for all the positive feedback on last week’s inaugural edition. I’m glad that so many of the things that resonated with me resonated with you too!
Did you miss last week’s post? You can still read it right here
If you saw something, read something, or discovered something fascinating online this past week, please tell me all about it in the comments! I’m always happy to discover a new rabbit hole. 😉
Wishing you a wonderful holiday weekend, friend.
xo, Natasha
AJ Jacobs: The Power of Thank You
There is a lot of talk about gratitude around the interwebs, especially at this time of year. Sometimes it can feel trite. But this interview with author and journalist AJ Jacobs on NPR this week had me thinking about the power of gratitude in new, beyond-the-memes, ways. Give it a listen if you are seeking opportunities to feel fuller and happier going into the new year.
EMA: Friendship and Support for Femalehood
The Ema app matches you with a circle of eight like-minded female souls for friendship and connection. Ema then provides you with medically vetted advice on topics from pregnancy to menopause and all points between, based on your interests. I haven’t been matched with my circle yet but I’m super excited to meet them. Hey, if you join real quick, maybe we’ll be in the same circle!
Folkulture Kitchen Towels
I love cute tea towels. I feel like they are a low-cost way to get a new look and feel in the kitchen. But while it seems like they used to be available everywhere, I haven’t been running across as many pretty little towels as I used to. So I resorted to Amazon, where I found these. I thought they were so cute I ordered a set for a friend too. Now to keep my kid’s grubby paws off them….
Lisa Congdon's Values Card Deck
I’ve been a fan of Lisa Congdon’s illustration for a long time, but wow, she is really blowing up lately! I’m always so excited when good people who make good things get the success they so deserve. One of my favorites from her huge array of work is this Live Your Values card deck. I have it myself and I got it for a bunch of friends this holiday season. I think it would make a perfect gift for you to give yourself as you roll into a new year. Permission to purchase a present for yourself? Granted!
Therapist and Author Nedra Glover Tawwab
Strange as it sometimes feels, I discover some of my favorite people lately on Instagram. It’s like the modern day equivalent of people watching in a cafe, but with permission to then follow them home and eavesdrop on their lives and interests. Is that weird? Anyway… I learn so much from therapist and author Nedra Glover Tawwab’s posts about relationships, interpersonal communication, and the importance of setting boundaries as a form of self care.
These Teens Ditched Smart Phones for Mental Health
I love this story in the New York Times this week about a group of teens who started a Luddite Club at their high school, extolling—among other things—the benefits of a smartphone-free lifestyle. I can’t quite believe I’m now the midlife lady making observations like this one, but: the kids of today give me hope for tomorrow.
Stutz: An Actor's Tribute to a Therapist
This is what’s on my weekend watch list: actor Jonah Hill interviewing renowned psychiatrist Phil Stutz about his proprietary brand of visual therapy. It looks soooo fascinating! My spouse is planning to take our kiddo for a few hours on Saturday, so I’ll be Netflix-and-chillin’ on my own. Can’t wait to cozy up on the couch with tea and Christmas cookies. Have you seen Stutz? What did you think?
