What (Else) is Saving My Winter Life

Because naming the good things is a spiritual practice

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Hi Soul Minimalist!

If you’re one of the over 700 new subscribers who joined us after last week’s long and vulnerable post (hi hello welcome!) then today you’ll learn how we hold multitudes around here: both the depths of our most existential spiritual questions and how they might impact some of the most vulnerable among us AND the very important practice of naming the TV shows that are saving our winter life.

Last week’s post was not what I had planned for the week. But every now and then, the ideal blend of time, headlines, rage, compassion, work I’ve already done, and the work of others will emerge all at once and you find yourself writing a post you’ve been thinking about for four years. And there it was.

I’m glad to finally share those words with you and I thank you for your willingness to receive and consider them.

It snowed in our North Carolina town this week. A little goes a long way.

On this week’s episode of The Next Right Thing I shared what’s saving my winter life, a practice I engage seasonally thanks to Barbara Brown Taylor and the person who asked her this question many years ago. What’s saving your life? has now become part of our cultural ethos in a way, to be able to name all of the things, from the simple and small moments of daily life to dreams that have come true to the handy gadgets or skincare favorites or tips and tricks we've learned and loved.

On this week’s episode, you can hear me share more about these 8 things saving my life, but here’s a summary.

1. Reading one page a day. It’s how I’m tackling some of the longer, more intimidating books on my shelf.

2. The Oura ring. I’m learning so much about my sleep patterns and stress levels!

3. Gathering with my in-person people. It’s the only helpful way I’ve found to process what is happening in the world.

4. Making a list of 100 desires. I learned about this from Tracey Gee (she was a guest on the podcast) and it was an eye opening practice.

5. The Playbooks from The Lazy Genius.

6. Haiku. I’ll just say I’ve been writing them again, like a tiny heartfelt rebellion for good.

7. Taylor Schumann’s advice. “After I was shot, my therapist told me that every day I need to remind myself I have survived 100% of my worst days. It doesn’t mean nothing bad will ever happen or that I will always survive. But it does mean I have a 100% survival rate track record in a world trying to break me. You do too.”

8. This Teresa of Avila prayer.

   Let nothing disturb you

   Let nothing frighten you

   All things are passing away

   God never changes

   Patience obtains all things

   Whoever has God lacks nothing.

   God alone suffices.

If you haven’t heard the episode yet, I share more details about each of these eight things there. If you prefer reading to listening, you can also read the transcript of the episode right here.

Here are a few MORE things saving my life right now. (We’ll call this the pop culture adjacent edition.)

1. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Prime.

Running from 2017 - 2023, Miriam “Midge” Maisel discovers her love (and talent) for stand up comedy after her husband leaves her. Set mostly in the late 50s and early 60s, the props and costumes alone are worth watching. I just finished the series and I’m so sad it’s over. What a delightfully fantastic show. (Sometimes people still fuss at me for not offering the appropriate warnings that yes, there’s language and other things so be a grown up and do your homework please and thank you and your hair looks so pretty.)

2. Listening to Tabitha Brown read her book, Feeding the Soul.

I’m sure you could read the hard copy of this book but why would you want to when she can read it to you? That’s your business, I guess. The thing is that I don’t even care what she’s saying (although what she’s saying is lovely). I just want her to read to me every night from now on. It’s saving my life.

3. Following Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex on Instagram.

Some things and people just catch and keep our attention and Meghan Markle is one of those for me. I set out to just write a few lines about this and wouldn’t you know, it became A WHOLE POST. So I will save more commentary on this for later. Stay tuned!

Near Windsor Castle in Windsor, England in July 2019.

4. Related: Watching Elizabeth Holmes watch Meghan, The Duchess of Sussex on Instagram.

I’ve been following Elizabeth Holmes (the journalist, not the convicted felon) on Instagram for years now. Her account, So Many Thoughts, offers thoughtful commentary on royal fashion. When she started a Substack, she leveled it up and I love reading all of her so many thoughts. Here’s where she writes about Meghan’s business rebrand.

5. David and Alexis Rose from Schitt’s Creek.

Pretty sure these two are my favorite TV siblings (sorry Ross and Monica!) We’ve been re-watching Schitt’s Creek at night because it’s funny and we need it. David and Alexis do not fail.

6. Anticipating the season premiere of Survivor.

I’m still a Survivor fan and I’m not ashamed to say it! I remember exactly where I was when I saw the finale of the very first season in the late summer of 2000 (I was babysitting and the parents had already come home but I couldn’t leave their house until I saw the winner because I lived too far away to make it home during the commercial break.) There have been a few times this month where John and I have a tough day and I’ve actually said with my out loud voice, “Well at least Survivor comes back on this month.”

Sometimes it’s the smallest things that save your life.

I would love to hear, what’s saving yours?

As always, I’m glad you’re here.

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