A Journey Through Spring: Reclaiming My Productivity
Written on
Chapter 1: A Spring Hiatus
Well, this is a bit embarrassing. Although you likely didn’t notice my absence, I’ve been acutely aware of it. Back in February, I promised a monthly Gazette alongside my usual posts, yet I vanished for two months. I won't make excuses; the reality is that life became chaotic, pulling me into a procrastination spiral I strive to avoid. During these times, my passion for writing turns into a daunting challenge, making it hard to produce anything I deem worthy of sharing, no matter how small. I've been hard on myself, but I recognize that life can sometimes derail our plans.
In an effort to get back into my writing routine, I’m officially committing to bi-weekly updates, with a Gazette at the end of each month. To fill you in on my recent absence, I’m sharing this second issue of Gladys' Gazette, summarizing both March and April. There’s much to discuss, so let’s dive in!
The adage 'write what you know' resonates with me, and in an upcoming post, I want to explore the self-imposed pressures of creativity and the challenges of balancing artistic endeavors, a full-time job, and everyday life. Much of the advice out there suggests that if you’re not waking up at 5 AM to work on your craft before your day job, you might not truly want it. There’s a lot to unpack, so stay tuned for that discussion.
Recently, I've dived into several books, and my next post will feature reviews of them! Below are the titles I plan to cover.
Our podcast, Millennial Musings, continues to thrive. Just this week, we released our 40th episode, which holds special significance for me. More details are included below!
Despite my struggles with writing productivity, I’m pleased to share that I spent a good amount of time outdoors. With a couple of visitors, I had the chance to explore new sites and revisit beloved places. Here are some highlights:
Hunterian Museum, Holborn
This spot has been on my list since before I moved to London. The Hunterian houses an extensive collection of anatomical specimens and surgical tools. Caution: it’s not for the faint of heart. If you’re squeamish, I’d suggest skipping it, as there are various preserved animals and body parts on display. My boyfriend had to call it quits halfway through, but it truly is a captivating experience.
The Thin House, South Kensington
During a weekend stroll with my mum and brother in Kensington, I unexpectedly stumbled upon The Thin House, which you may have seen online. I can confirm it exists and is indeed as slender as it appears!
Canary Wharf
This area may not top most tourists' lists, often overlooked as a corporate hub, but I encourage you to visit. While it requires a bit of travel, the rewards include riverside walks, excellent bars and restaurants, and stunning spots like the Roof Garden I explored with my aunt.
Richmond Park
I will always cherish Richmond-Upon-Thames, especially Richmond Park. I drove there one Saturday, made use of the free parking, and spent the day in London’s largest park. Did you know it’s three times the size of Central Park? Despite being close to the city center, it feels worlds away from the hustle and bustle.
Chapter 2: Podcast Recommendations
The first video titled "Productive Spring Days in My Life" showcases routines and cleaning tips that can help rejuvenate your productivity during the spring season.
Another inspiring video is "5AM Productive Days in My Life 2024," which covers early morning routines and preparation tips for a successful spring semester.
Podcasts have become an integral part of my life. I was amazed to realize that just a couple of years ago, I hadn’t listened to a single episode. Now, they occupy most of my time, and I even host my own! I must admit that around 80% of my listening is dedicated to true crime.
I started with RedHanded a year ago and have caught up, now diving into Morbid, both recommendations from my friend Isabella. A recent favorite is How to Fail with Elizabeth Day, where each episode features an artist discussing three personal and professional failures and the lessons learned. It’s incredibly uplifting and has brought me to tears on several occasions. I began from episode one a few months back, but I occasionally stray when intriguing guests like Dan Levy and Shania Twain appear!
Binge-worthy Recommendations
Scamanda, a podcast I discovered in a vlog, is both fascinating and unsettling. It tells the story of Amanda, a blogger who fabricated having cancer for years, sharing her fabricated experiences and organizing fundraisers. With only a few episodes, it’s easy to binge in a couple of days.
Ghost Story is another gripping podcast that intertwines ghostly tales with murder mystery. The host, Tristan Rodman, reflects on strange occurrences from his teenage home, leading to a shocking family revelation. I binged this series in two days; I couldn’t stop listening!
Books I've Recently Read
- One Day by David Nicholls
- Underbelly by Anna Whitehouse
- Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
- Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson
- The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey
- From Here to Eternity: Traveling the World to Find the Good Death by Caitlin Doughty
- The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #2) by Rick Riordan
- Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly
- A Good Girl's Guide to Murder #1 by Holly Jackson
- To The Friend Who Didn't Save My Life by Hervé Guibert
- Essays In Love by Alain de Botton
Stay tuned for my upcoming review of these titles!
Film Recommendations
One of my annual resolutions is to watch more movies, and I’ve been making good progress this year! Recently, I started watching Marvel films, but I have other actual recommendations as well.
I recently saw All of Us Strangers, a drama featuring Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, and Claire Foy, based on a book of the same name. Although the movie diverges from the book, it was both heartbreaking and healing.
I also watched Past Lives on Netflix. It’s a subtle film with no over-the-top drama, but the ending hit me hard, leaving me in tears.
Farewell to a Favorite Show
Surprisingly, I only watched the final season of Sex Education recently, despite its release months ago. I adored the first two seasons, but the third left me slightly disappointed, so I hesitated. However, the final season reminded me why this series is one of the best of the decade. The 'funeral episode' was particularly remarkable, brilliantly portraying the conflict between honoring a parent and confronting past hurt. It resonated deeply, and I found myself tearing up while recounting it to my boyfriend.
Even during my writing hiatus, I continued creating episodes for our podcast, Millennial Musings. Recently, we explored the 'thin is back' trend in our latest episode. With celebrities and influencers seemingly embarking on weight loss journeys, we discuss if this marks the end of body positivity.
Since the last Gazette, I’ve published four new pieces:
- The end of an era: Why I'm quitting my blog
- How PE classes damaged my relationship with physical activity
- Cherry blossoms and cats on adventures
- Savoury Muffins
The Fearless Writer
I’m currently in a coffee shop in Stockwell, a place I’ve long wanted to visit. After today, it’s officially one of my favorites, despite the barista’s unfriendly demeanor. Next to me is Beth Kempton's The Way of The Fearless Writer: Ancient Eastern Wisdom for A Flourishing Writing Life, accompanied by my iced latte—my go-to drink regardless of weather.
As I listen to a Spotify playlist titled Calm Japanese Instrumental Mix, I’m inspired by Kempton’s advice to describe my surroundings as a way to kickstart my writing.
Even on this Sunday afternoon, numerous patrons are typing away on their laptops. I wonder if they, too, are grappling with similar creative struggles. One man in running shorts catches my eye—did he jog here with his laptop in tow, or does he simply enjoy athletic wear?
While I ponder which story to focus on, Natasha Bedingfield’s "Unwritten" plays in the background, reminding me that the possibilities are endless.
Thank you for sticking with me through this newsletter! I genuinely enjoyed sharing my thoughts, and I hope you did too. If you have questions or topics you’d like me to cover next, please let me know in the comments!
Gladys x