Last week I wrote about my jaunt to Bois de Vincennes (I mis-identified it last week as Bois de Boulogne—wrong side of Paris!). It's so simple to change our context, but we so rarely do it. I was happy to hear from so many people who were inspired to go sit and read outside.
This week my context shifting continued, but this time a 2 hour train ride outside of Paris to Le Havre. For years I've talked about wanting to visit the Jean Nouvel designed Les Bains des Docks piscine (swimming pool). Little did I know it'd take a pandemic and a heat wave to finally get me there. (As well as a big nudge from a good friend.)
"‘Success Addicts’ Choose Being Special Over Being Happy" by Arthur C. Brooks for The Atlantic has been shared by multiple friend groups. It's a fascinating look at the addition to success and being special over being happy. The addiction is much like that of alcohol. He starts the piece: "Imagine reading a story titled 'The Relentless Pursuit of Booze.' You would likely expect a depressing story about a person in a downward alcoholic spiral. Now imagine instead reading a story titled 'The Relentless Pursuit of Success. That would be an inspiring story, wouldn’t it?"
Listen.
Michelle Obama has a new podcast on Spotify where she has conversations with loved ones and colleagues about the relationships in our lives that make us who we are while exploring ideas around community. The former First Lady's hope is "that this series can be a place to explore meaningful topics together and sort through so many of the questions we're all trying to answer in our own lives."
Watch.
Like many things on Netflix, I had no plan to watch "Indian Matchmaking" until I heard friends talking about it. (None of us want to be Aparna.) I've always loved Indian culture, so I gave it a shot, and I was hooked. There's an interesting piece in the NYT about some of the controversy and challenges between new world and old world ideals in the docu-series which follows an Indian match maker who works between India and the US.
New Writing ✍️
I had an absolute blast this week teaming up with Meena Khalili, co-chair of the AIGA Design Educators Community and Assistant professor of design and interaction at the University of South Carolina.
This email was sent after two days of 100 degree heat in Paris. 🔥🔥🔥 I'm melting! Paris was NOT designed for this. A reminder to all to stay hydrated and cool!
Have a fantastic week!
Anne S. Ditmeyer is a creative coach + consultant who helps people think creatively in their work and life to push past those pesky standards society has put on us. Sign up for a curiosity call to learn more.
