^^ My college dorm room desk, in all of its millennial glory
Mindlessly scrolling is nearly always a recipe for feeling lousy. But not all screen time is created equal. When a new post pops up from one of these writers, I often find myself inspired to make a connection with a friend, excited about the prospect of growing older and wiser, grateful for my little home and the things I’ve filled it with, and delighted by the different ways that people live, look, and love. Here are a few of my favorite places on the internet:
Cup of Jo // Cup of Jo is a lifestyle blog founded by Brooklyn-based mom Joanne Goddard. The site features essays and articles from diverse contributors and writers and span everything from motherhood to style to books to aging, and so much more. The women featured on Cup of Jo have such FULL lives. They inspire me to be more kind, more creative, and more appreciative of all of life’s twists and turns. Also, the comment section is pure gold. Joanne also has a Substack called Big Salad, and while I don’t read it as frequently, this recent post on inviting the waiter to Thanksgiving was just the kind of piece that fills my cup.
The Magpie by Jen Shoop // This lifestyle blog leans more heavily in the fashion direction (which is not a problem — I love her style), but Jen’s musings and essays make it stand out among the other style blogs I read. Her writing spans everything from motherhood to grief to parenting to aging to gratitude and just stirs something in me.
Living Small by Laura Fenton // This Substack appeals to me for many reasons, not least of which is that I live in a small home myself. Although I don’t consider myself a minimalist, I love having a consistent reminder that less is more. I especially enjoyed her recent post on getting out of the house.
Priya Parker // Priya Parker is the author of The Art of Gathering, a book I actually can’t believe I haven’t read yet. She has so many great ideas for socializing and creating meaningful gatherings that I find so inspiring and doable. I mostly keep an eye on her Instagram but I also subscribe to her free Substack.
Catherine Newman // Catherine Newman is a contributor on Cup of Jo, which is where I first discovered her beautiful writing. Since then, I’ve devoured her first two novels and am on the waitlist for her newest novel, Wreck. Even though I am such a chronically cold indoor cat, her post about cold plunges even got me taking mental inventory of my local swimming ponds. And her home tour, while perhaps ordinary at first glance, was hands-down the most welcoming home I’ve never been to. She is the kind of vivacious menopausal woman that makes me excited to grow older. I am merely a free subscriber to her Substack, Crone Sandwich, and the posts are a little sporadic, but each one that lands in my inbox is a delight.
And lastly, here are a few Instagram posts from the creators above that have stuck with me!
Bookworm Cottage Style 
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