A new(ish) newsletter
A little update to my extended curly crew
Two Januaries ago, I scraped every email address I could find in my inbox and sent out a Google form soliciting your recommendations: What should I read? Which films are actually worth watching? Can you successfully introduce me to a podcast I don’t already know about?
I was looking to put my library card to good use, but mainly I was looking to light myself up again. My personal life and work life had cluttered my thoughts, and it had dulled my curious edge.
No one likes sending a Google form when there’s a risk of getting zero responses and 100% confirmation of your deepest social anxieties. So to incentivize your participation, I promised I’d update you with a monthly book report of sorts. It felt like an easy thing to offer, knowing full well that no one would call me out if my emails petered out.
One of my favorite (read: most frustrating) contradictions about humans (read: myself) is our inertia towards doing the things that actually make us quite happy. It was such a slog to send out that one email that kicked off two years’ worth of LG’s lists. Turns out, my love language is sharing thoughtful recs with loved ones far and wide.
Which leads me to a little announcement: I’m turning this into a Substack and re-branding as…
(Special shoutout to Malu Frasson Nori for the cute lil logo…I’m obsessed!)
Periodically, I’ll bring you a question I’m reflecting on, along with my bootstrapped attempt at finding some understanding. I’ll continue my monthly round-ups of things I’m listening to, reading or watching that help me see the world a little differently than I used to.
If you have been waiting for a polite and anonymous way to opt out of my emails, now is your chance! 😉 But I hope you’ll stick around and maybe ✨even share with others✨ who might like this.
And since I’ve learned that I’m best motivated by a little social accountability slash pressure, here are twelve other things I’d like to accomplish in 2025.
January: make Abu’s arroz con leche ✅
February: volunteer once a week
March: finish the Sopranos
April: write a short story
May: invest in my wardrobe
June: dedicate myself to dancing
July: dive into the deep end of a pool
August: make something with my hands
September: go back to class
October: produce a community event
November: write another short story
December: learn more about my family tree
I’m happy to report I’ve checked off the first thing on my list. My grandfather would have turned 100 (!!) years old this past Wednesday. He was famous in my extended family for many things, but his arroz con leche was his calling card. There was no better way to celebrate his legacy than by making it from scratch.
I’ll share out the recipe next month. It’s worth the two cups of sugar, even if you’ve committed to cutting it out of your diet this January. I promise!
More soon,
LG aka Lauren aka Lali Gonzali