Gift Guide #3: Your Lovely British Dad Who Thinks Everyone Should Get a Honda Fit.

I was wondering re the blog alternatives in the previous post (and apologies, what you see here is the rather scattered thinking loop in my head : )). I also tried to find other blogs that made me “be here” to read, think, maybe reconsider, learn, laugh or know that sth is worth fighting for. Oftentimes, I was shown substack accounts – that for the time being to me feel more like a distraction of where I am in my life instead of wanting me to “be here”. Also, when I read one post, I was advertised so many other accounts to follow, it overwhelmed me because I again had to filter – and understand (!) – what I really wanted. So, I deleted my substack subscriptions again, because it was simply too much of too little what I needed and wanted. Now if I read long(ish) texts online, they are on this blog. I also enjoy the comment section. I want to appreciate this writing here, instead of having skimmed through half the post and already thinking about what other websites, instas, pinterests I could look up for new updates aka foggy fodder. I want to learn to “be here” again.

And for the rest of the time, when I am on a train, metro etc. I try not to open insta (difficult), maybe not even a paperbook, but look outside the window and let my thoughts meet me. They are so far away! Without distractions, of which I invite 100% myself because seeing my own thoughts is not often convenient. But also, sometimes I have really cool thoughts and then I grin and think “wow, that was great”. Or I think “…this difficult situation does exist. What can I do to make it better for me now, in a calm and trusting space I am creating for myself.” And I trust my thoughts a bit more, that they can keep me also good company, instead of needing to be suffocated under more and more external input (looking at you insta, advertising everywhere & the question if barrel jeans really are the pinnacle of fashion I need to conquer right now).

After having been listening to every podcast in the universe from 2020 until now, I find myself listening to max. 2 per week. I am getting bored of others telling me, what famous people (I definitely know more names of actors and singers than of scientists, human activists, women who invent(ed) cool things, this is on me) did; how to maximise my life quality etc. I want to meet myself, my thoughts and feelings again. All of them. And then, after some time, maybe also some answers of what I want in my life from now on and what effort I am willing to put in – like really. This is not my first try in this exercise, but I will go again. I want my frustration & directionlessness to understand that, yes I see you both, but more important: I will leave you now – no more dummies – because I have more enjoyable experiences to live now & I am putting in the effort/work/discomfort/clarity to get there. Quite clearly, they are all offline ones. And off I go, storing the notebook and the phone in the wardrobe in the hall. Next time I open it, I want to look beyond the electronic devices and see a glimpse of Narnia in the back again. I know it’s out there. Wish me luck : )

I was so bummed to see that Honda Fits are no longer in production! I have one too and agree they’re the best!

The adults in my extended family have a tradition of filling each other’s stockings–it’s a throwback to our favorite part of our childhood Christmases. I try to find special things people will actually use, and a trip to the post office for stamps someone might find special is always on the agenda. That and a box of notecards makes a lovely gift, too.