Hey there š
Itās Taylor. Iām bringing this newsletter back to life. Thanks for being a part of it and sticking around.
Now, itās called The Giving Plate. You can read more about why here.
The short version is: I find out about things all the time, things that bring me joy and help me see possibility. Sometimes itās a moment I experienced. Other times, a moving article I read. Whatever it is, it inspires an idea. And, I think to myself, it would be a shame if I didnāt pass this along. Instead, I want to blast it into the world, hoping it makes a difference for someone else too. This is a chance for me to share, instead of being the last one with āThe Giving Plateā.
Februaryās menu of brain snacks: š§ šæ
I saw this t-shirt and it had me thinking, whatās not listed thatās āa good thing that takes timeā? I thought: making risotto from scratch, a game of Catan, and finishing a coloring book. This exercise then turned into a mind game. What else could I list thatās oddly specific? I took out a notebook and wrote, āWhat are things that are best hot?ā Homemade blueberry muffins, a cup of lemon ginger tea when youāre sick, a bath, and hand warmers. If you find yourself with a free few minutes, instead of scrolling through social media, try making a list.
Like I said, Catan takes time. If you like on-the-go games, check out this dice version that lasts about 20 minutes and can fit in your pocket. It pairs great with coffee shops and breweries š
Doodles make my brain happy. I like looking at complex topics, made simple in a doodle, and thinking, āThat was clever!ā I love Liz and Mollieās doodles. I also like Grace Farrisā work and I bet Iāll like it, even more, when Iām a mom one day. Who are the other great doodlers I should check out?
Joy passwords. We type our passwords often. They deserve to be better. Write a mantra to yourself to type every day when you first log into your computer. Whatās the thing you need to hear most right now?
If thereās one candle Iād recommend to anyone during this cozy season, itās this one. Itās my momās favorite and reminds me of home when I light it in my new NYC apartment.
If you like learning wordsā¦I was gifted this book by a close friend who knows I love the word āsonderā deeply. A new favorite is āwatashiatoā š One of the greatest gifts we can give someone is telling them the impact theyāve made so they CAN see it.
An adult summer camp that I attended last summer. If you want an excuse to jump on a water trampoline and have deep conversations with āpeople who get itā, check it out.
This matcha powder. A new friend I trust recommended this with oat milk and she did not let me down.
If Wordle doesnāt eat up enough of your morning time as is, try Quordle.
Adam Grantās riff on the specific kind of joy weāve been missing. Spoiler: it has to do with talking to strangers. Very on-brand for the two of us.
Craving a rich question worth sharing? š« š¤
Whatās a book youāve been thinking about reading for a while but havenāt yet? Whatās holding you back?
Whatās your favorite smell and why?
If you were a teacher for a week, what would you teach? I found this question on Kat Vellosā calendar and loved it.
Thanks for checking out what Iām serving up this month on The Giving Plate! š½Ā Iām glad youāre here.
If you liked something in here or would like to āpass The Giving Plateā by sharing something thatās made a difference for you recently, just hit āreplyā. I'd love to hear from you.
A huge thanks to my fellow Groovers for supporting me as I hit publish on this first, rebranded post after taking a break. And, thanks to all the writers out there who continue to inspire me and ship their work.
Cheers to spreading more joy and possibility, āØ
Taylor