Firstly, I’m sorry I’m late. I started writing this between Christmas and New Year’s Eve and got carried away with playing games on my Nintendo. I hope you had a lovely New Year’s Eve. If you’re back at work today - I’m sending good vibes your way.Â
I've started writing this letter in the liminal week between Christmas and the New Year - a period of time I love (but kinda hate too). Time feels suspended. I have spent a lot of my time reading, including Family Meal and Unmasked. I’ve also been obsessed with my Nintendo (more on this later). During this weird time, I've been thinking a lot about: rest, playfulness and 'doing nothing'.
I hope this letter reminds you to be kind to yourself, allow yourself time to rest and to continue being silly in 2024.
P.S. I thought you would be happy to know I have already ticked a few things off my 2024 to do list. I’ve secured my very first Sonny Angel and I now own a crochet kit. Spoiler alert: it is hard. However, I’m really hoping by the end of 2024 I can make a baby lobster. Wish me luck.
Thoughts from my notes app
When was the last time you did something just because?
A few weeks ago, a friend and I spoke about how we rarely do things just because. We’re all just so exhausted from trying to survive, and we’re constantly consumed by the idea of doing things with purpose, however, shouldn’t we allow ourselves to do things just because we find joy in it?
A few years ago, my therapist spoke a lot about ‘being kind and taking care of your inner child’ - something I think we’re all guilty (including me) of not doing. We tend to forget that we were once little, and that little version of us is still inside of us. She suggested to lean into my inner child and nurture ‘little Iman’. I found this concept extremely awkward. I tried to force myself to say things ‘little Iman’ would like to hear, but I would cringe at myself. I tried to connect with ‘little Iman’ and re-discover the things she would have liked when she was little, but it just felt so forced and unnatural.
We’re so consumed by being intentional with our time (which to a certain extent we should be!), making sure there’s a reason why we’re doing it, a purpose behind it. But what if we just did something just because? We are often so focused on doing things for our ‘future self’. I always hear people (and I’m probably guilty of this) saying: ‘My future self will thank me’ as a way of justifying why we’re doing something. But, do we really need a reason for everything we do? In the process, do we neglect our ‘present self’? Although it’s easy to forget, 2023 has taught me that we all owe ourselves (including our inner child) time for rest and play.
ICYMI
I’m Done Resolving to Be More Productive (The Cut)
I’ve decided my resolutions will be totally useless, at least in any measurable way. This year, I’m resolving to lean into my most unproductive hobbies.
I agree. We should be leaning into hobbies that we enjoy (even if we’re not that good at them) and forget about the ‘end result’.
Shock to the cistern: the riotous, revealing world of graffiti in public bathrooms (The Guardian)
Pub loos are pretty unique spaces. They’re a rare instance of a space that is both public and private, so people can graffiti confidently knowing that there’s a low chance they’ll be caught but a high chance their work will be seen
Have you ever been in a pub loo and started reading the scribbles on the door? I genuinely forgot how much I miss trying to decipher loo graffiti (Dubai’s toilets are way too clean). This article explores what Latrinalia is (yes it’s a real term) and shares insight into various studies on why we do it.
What to watch this week
I’ve been watching a lot of travel vlogs recently - which is my favourite form of escapism (highly recommend it). Here are some of my favourites.
A Weekend in Macau
This one is about Macau - which is about 1 hour by boat from Hong Kong and considered the ‘Las Vegas of Asia’. The architecture is cool - there’s a lot of influence from Portuguese and Cantonese culture.
6am Morning Routine in Korea's Countryside
This one is so soothing. Love everything about it. The cat. Countryside living. Korean food. Also check out her Instagram here.
9 Days in Fukuoka (and a side trip to yufuin’s Ghibli village!)
Warning: This one is an hour long, but it’s worth it.
Things you should keep on your radar
How to Do Nothing - Jenny Oddell
Odell sees our attention as the most precious—and overdrawn—resource we have. And we must actively and continuously choose how we use it
I’ve just bought this on my Kindle, so I’ll keep you posted on what I think. I think we’d all benefit from reading this in 2024. Maybe this will be the year we learn how to ‘do nothing’.
Family Meal - Bryan Washington
Family Meal is a story about how the people who know us the longest can hurt us the most, but how they also set the standard for love. With his signature generosity and eye for food, sex, love, and the moments that make us the most human, Bryan Washington returns with a brilliant new novel.
I read this book on my Kindle in a day - it was that good. It’s a tender book exploring the universal struggle: grief. It also explores queerness, family, relationships, and self-destruction.
A Short Hike
As I mentioned earlier, I was addicted to my Nintendo last week (I think it’ll be short-lived) so I thought I’d share one that I really enjoyed. I think I finished this in 5 hours (and no, it wasn’t a waste of time because I loved every minute of playing it and in 2024, nothing is a waste of time).
FYI, you can read last week’s newsletter here.
Fancy taking over Out of Hours? Once a month, a friend (or stranger) will take over Out of Hours. All you need to do is reply to this email 💋