Umeboshi | 1
This is an archive post of the first edition of the Umeboshi newsletter! Umeboshi are pickled plums. They are bite sized, a little salty, a little sweet, and very sour. When I had my first umeboshi it was such a shock. But before I knew it I was reaching for another plum and now they are always in my fridge ready for a little snack. I'm hoping that I can keep writing these newsletters and love doing it just as much as I now love umeboshi. Enjoy!
Hiya! I'm trying a new thing out (I don't know if I will continue but I'd like to!). Give me feedback! Please!
📚 What I've been reading
I blogged a little bit about this on my instagram a few weeks ago but I thought that I'd push it again. It was a really nice (and easy listen on Audible; it's also on Spotify if you like). I'm a pretty outcome oriented person. I have noticed that in so many conversations I tend to try to push things towards the outcome I think everyone will be happy with. This book has made me think that I should do it another way. I've heard about active listening before but I hadn't heard about 'Loud Listening'. This is where you might add an 'aah' or 'ooh' to what you're saying or repeat back what the other person has told you in your own words. When I'm talking to someone I don't really want to be talking at them, I want to be listening to them. Give it a read/listen, tell me about it, I'll listen loudly.
I bought this one on Audible (again, it's on Spotify). It's a nice easy set of vignettes about some people who have worked in different careers (finance, entrepreneurship, Google, and Kickstarter for example) who have gone on to have bad employment experiences. Mostly I learned that work can't be the thing that gives me purpose in life because work is always tied to delivering a given outcome. If my personal value/who I am is pegged to the place where I work and I get fired/need to move on/retire then where will I find meaning? Who will I find meaning with? I wish I'd read this one when I was in my early 20s (obviously it didn't exist yet) because I would have gone on more adventures.
📺 What I've been watching
Why is everyone obsessed with notebooks? I have a suspicion that it's related to the corporate interests of the Notebook Industrial Complex but ultimately I...don't care? I love my notebooks. I've been using this red Penco notebook for the last few weeks and it's absolutely stellar. This guy, @henrydidit on YouTube is a sort of newish creator who has done this video. It's about 10 minutes and perfect to watch with someone else.
Digging the Greats posted Using this iPod for 30 days changed my life and I watched the entire thing while I was solo in Kyushu in January. After trying desperately to make my ancient iPod classic work (with a brief moment of IT'S ALIIIIIIIVEEE!) it has once again become a brick. I've ended up buying music through the iTunes Store and Bandcamp lately which has been a really refreshing change. In fact, as some of you know, I've ended up ripping CDs onto my computer (using a really janky workaround). Ultimately I think that refusing to use streaming music services hasn't changed my life too much and I probably listen to the same amount of music or more each week. More on this to come probably.
We've been watching Sakamoto Days on Netflix which is delightful.
📱 What apps I've used lately
Basically I've been testing out a few AI apps lately. I've tried using Kin for personal coaching and journalling. I've also been experimenting with Voicepal which is a pretty interesting concept but not necessarily something I think I'll use much of (unless this newsletter really works out!).
📓 Some recent journal prompts I've used
- What is one thing that you pay for that you think you could live without?
- What's something you've purchased for a little money that has made a big difference in your life?
- If you had an entire day to yourself with zero responsibilities, how would you spend it?
Thanks for reading! See ya in the next one!
Liam