Dear friends, it’s our 67th Tuesday together. I’m grateful for you each week.
I dream of rebranding The Letter. I shan’t make sudden any moves just yet. There’s no rush. This little letter is just as she needs to be for now—perfectly imperfect.
So pure in her presentation. No bells. No whistles. Often unsightly. These descriptors go against my better judgement, but that’s precisely why I do it this way. Perfection isn’t my goal. If it were, I’d still be on Issue 01. My goal is simply to keep going. Watch what unfolds. Show up. One week after the next. Rain or shine. Together we’ll evolve.
What got me on the rebrand topic? My dear friend Willow took photographs of me while visting the Bay Area from Portugal. New me, new brand. Actually, same brand, just me with longer hair.
Here’s a peek…
As always, thanks for being here.
Sing Along
Several songs have tickled my ears lately.
The first four bring me joy for reasons I’ll go into another time. The fifth, Victoria’s Secret, was shared by my almost 9-year-old daughter and her friend Giulia, who, before hitting play, warned me of its bad words: big boobs. To be young again.
If you’re like me, when two young ladies recommend a song called Victoria’s Secret, you assume trash. Wrong.
First, it’s catchy. Second, it catalyzed an important conversation.
Me: “You know that photo of the singer isn’t real? She doesn’t look that way.”
Emma: “I know. It’s photoshopped.”
Me: “Yes!! You’re right.”
(Stops to actually listen to the lyrics.)
I know Victoria's secret
And, girl, you wouldn't believe
She's an old man who lives in Ohio
Making money off of girls like me
Cashin' in on body issues
Sellin' skin and bones with big boobs
I know Victoria's secret
She was made up by a dude
Victoria was made up by a dude
Once I got the meaning, I paused after every line and explain the lyrics. I bet it was annoying. Still, it was impactful.
Me: “Victoria’s Secret was (is?) a shop that sold underwear. The models were presented as perfect, making women think they had to look that way to be attractive—otherwise, they weren’t good enough.”
I went on and on until the song was over. This “trashy” song afforded us a spectacular opportunity to talk about women, our bodies, and how society has thankfully changed (and will continue changing).
It was a #goodparentingmoment, brought to you by two 9-year-olds.
Are You Positive?
I follow two body-positive media accounts. Both are impactful.
Thebirdspapaya: Sarah is a body-confidence advocate who has made four humans and celebrates her body for doing so.
Danae Mercer: Danae reveals the tricks influencers and the beauty industry use to make us believe we’re not amazing just as we are.
Vacuum Cleaning
I do love to vacuum, but that’s not what this is about.
My mom taught me to clean out my closet often. Who am I kidding? She forced me. Did I like it? Nope. Do I cherish the skill today? Yes. Do I make my kids do it? Of course! Each time we tackle their rooms, they fight me hard. When we’re done they say, “It feels sooo much better in here.”
Duh!
A new year challenge for you: Take your age, add together the two numbers and purge, recycle, give away, sell, or toss that many items between now and next Tuesday when I land in your inbox once again.
Why? We’re creating a purposeful vacuum so new energy can flow, as it yearns to do.
Overachievers, purge your true age. For me, that’s a whopping 46 things. If that sounds awful, go with your added age and keep going if you’re inspired.
Ridding your home of items you clutch despite not needing or wanting them creates space, purposefully. Sometimes this space occurs forcably, through death, loss of a job, break up, or another vacancy that crushes the soul before it fills it with more than can you could imagine.
Creat a vacuum. Allow it to refill.
Writer’s Tip of the Iceberg
This week’s writing topic is parenthesis (keeping it light).
If you’re encasing an entire sentence in parenthesis—the period falls inside the brackets.
(This sentence is a pause.)
If the parenthetical statement is an addendum to your sentence—the period falls outside the brackets.
This sentence is an example to which I’ll add something you might say under your breath for effect (told you so).
And there you have it. What do you think?
Dog Days of 2022
While I think these dogs would be cuter as cats, the winners of the 2022 Dog Photography awards are in.
I laughed out loud at the options for the multiple choice.
Fantastic, per usual! Love the tips - closet clean outs (just completed a shed clean and feel the same - amazing!) and grammar tips! I need ‘em and want ‘em! Keep on keeping on, Ms. Simone. With ❤️