Adios Instagram, and Four Things
Issue 122
I woke up last Saturday and unfollowed 400 Instagram accounts. If one was yours, I’m sorry. But, if you’re a regular human I’ve had the pleasure of meeting IRL, you were spared. Blue check marks were not. In fact, I went after those with a chainsaw.
After reducing my feed by 400, I hung a shingle on my profile: “Not currently on Instagram. Feel free to email me at simone.silverstein@gmail.com or join my newsletter.👇🏼 Cheers!”
I’m happier already. The decibels in my head are fewer. I’m beginning to hear myself again. I’m still on Facebook because I don’t want to disconnect entirely, and I like perusing Facebook Marketplace and staying up on what the over-forty crowd is doing.
The irony of contributing to the noise with this newsletter is not lost on me. Yes, I wrestle with it, and yes, here we are. One small step for woman. One giant step for peace of mind.
Speaking of content and this newsletter, big changes are coming. I’ve said it before and not much has changed. This time, this time, change is coming. By issue 150 The Letter will be Hello Silverstein.
Think of it as a replanting. If The Letter is a small, but healthy house plant, Hello Silverstein is the larger container it’s craving to grow into itself. As this progresses, I’ll leak bits and bobs, likely ask for your opinion, and together we’ll shape this baby into something we’re proud of. 🌱
I have 28 weeks to nail it. A little procrastination never hurt anyone.
Nadia and Dawn, I’m winking at you ;)
Four Things
Hand strengthening, anyone? My hands are tight due to modern-day computing. I noticed a grip-strengthening device in Owen’s room (among other unmentionables) so I gave it a go. Ooooh! It feels good to move those hands.
I bought a set of my own, and now next to me on my desk is a smorgasbord of fidgets and strengtheners. Next time you see me, my hands will be less cramped, and my forearms will be jacked—every woman's goal.
I bought this set. No doubt, there’s higher quality out there, thought these mechanisms work quite well.I’m reading Becoming Supernatural (okay, I’m skimming—this is my 3rd read). This book is up next. No Kindle or audio option—you’ll have to resort to good ol’ paper and ink. As if!
I keep a bottle of Brianna’s Vinaigrette in the fridge because it’s Emma’s favorite, and sometimes I don’t want to make dressing—so sue me.
A couple of times, I’ve used the bottle to teach the kids about product design and how it aligns with a company’s financials. We’re always learning over here.
When I noticed the pour spot had become rather large, I told the kids: now customers have a hard time controlling the dressing waterfall. Therefore, they empty the bottle faster and buy more. The company makes money.
When the bottle got shorter by a few millimeters, but the price didn’t change, I knew they were up to something. If they shave off a couple of millimeters on millions of products, it saves millions of dollars—and how many consumers are really going to notice? (Answer: at least one.)
In any event, the dressing is a decent one to have on hand. I haven’t tested its Yuka score yet, so take the reco like you do all of my recos—with a grain of salad dressing.If you don’t sleep with an eyemask, are you even sleeping? I bought a faux fur one at West Elm yeeearrrs ago that I still love. Every now and again, an impulse buy works better than you could hope for. This was one of those times.
I searched for one to recommend to you. I didn’t start with Amazon, but I found this one as the closest match—and it may be identical. I think I paid $9.99, but who’s counting.
When the headband stretches out, because it just might, tie a knot—it’ll be good as snooze, er, new.
Photo of the Week
This boy is going to the Super Bowl tomorrow with my dad. Just the two of them, fumbling around Las Vegas on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. My dad was gifted the tickets by a client, so the trip isn’t free, but the 🏈 tickets are.
Yes, Emma’s jealous Owen will be in the same stadium as Taylor Swift. I’m just stoked for him. What an experience.
Owen looks great! Hope they had a blast at the game.
I totally notice the packaging changes, size changes and ridiculous pour spouts (my dish soap just did this, how annoying) but make that two* I definitely always notice this!
Looking forward to hello Silverstein!
What happened? Owen is so grown up suddenly!!