Welcome.
Growing up, my town of Mill Valley had five Simones of similar age: LeBlanc, Feldman, Delfino, Garrigues, and Silverstein.
The one Simone I haven’t spoken with is Garrigues. She’s a therapist. I’ll give her a call.
Speaking of names, this newsletter is about to get one. Drum roll… 🥁
The Good Word (what do you think?!)
A newsletter with insights, recos, and weekly musings from a lady named Simone.
Ah, cut the Simone part?
A newsletter with insights, recos, and weekly musings from a lady who knows stuff.
Ah, you hate the word stuff?
A newsletter with insights, recos, and weekly musings.
Ah, that’s too generic.
Well, we’re not going to solve all our problems in one sitting.
Onward for now…
Simone LeBlanc
If you’re fancy, one of the five Simones sells gift baskets from her “boutique gifting studio” in LA—like I said, fancy.
She was cruising through Mill Valley this holiday when we ran into one another outside a boujee gluten-free bakery. I said, “Simone?” She said, “Simone!”
She was on Project Runway, Season 4. Now she’s an influencer. I’m neither, but I am named Simone.
My Pleasure
How simple is this: It ALL comes down to either pleasure or pain. That’s it. Everything we do is driven by one of those. From my boy T. Robbins:
“What you link pain to and what you link pleasure to shapes your destiny.“
“People do more to avoid pain than to gain pleasure.”
“It’s not actual pain that drives us, but our fear that something will lead to pain. And it’s not actual pleasure that drives us, but our belief that somehow taking a certain action will lead to pleasure.”
Use this newsletter as an example. Pleasure or pain?
But seriously, this concept is so darn simple and so darn true.
All quotes from Tony Robbins’ book: Awaken the Giant Within.
Slam Junk
You don’t want to see my junk, but more importantly, do you want to see yours? Make peace with your shit. Give her an organization and feel nice (at least for a minute).
Please, send me a picture of your junk (drawer) once you get her cleaned up.
How To
A show you (may) enjoy: How To with John Wilson on HBO. It’s pretty odd, but it’s entertaining. Don’t expect to LOL. Do expect to OMG.
John is an “anxious New Yorker” who covertly and obsessively films the lives of fellow New Yorkers while attempting to give everyday advice on relatable topics.
It’s cool. And, odd. Also, odd. Did I say that already?
No Say
I made a promise to you, and me, that I’d write a newsletter and essay each week. I’m 💯 proud of my newsletter commitment. And, I release my essay commitment—with love. See how nicely I let myself off the hook? You can do that, too. Let something go.
Writer For Hire
You can hire me to write for you. If you’re interested, please fill out this brief form. ✍️ Thank you in advance.
The End
Have a beautiful week, everyone.
(Hey, if someone you know might enjoy The Good Word, pass it on.) ➡️
Loved the pain vs pleasure segment. Also 100% with you on letting go of commitments if they just make you anxious. Had to let myself off the hook on the weekly essays as well. Way calmer now.
Love your 5 Simone As. Looking forward to the rest of the alphabet. Let's get a series going. Junk drawer as is. Could be better, could be worse, but I would like to know who stole my silver ruler. https://gsp.box.com/s/vlcq8twr2xtobtf7kcqhheon5rw3mkov