TGG Special Edition: One day at a time.
To those who have been laid off: we see you and we will walk with you until you are secure. To those doing the vital work that keeps us safe and leaves you exposed: thank you.
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: Staying Positive
Hi friends. Like many of you, I'm stuck at home for what might be a long time. Normally I'd write about topics like regenerative agriculture or the cleanse I just completed. But normalcy has been pulled out from under us like a rug, leaving people scattered and in search of stable footing.
And what I've seen through the rubble and confusion is genuine kindness. I've seen my yoga community flow separately, together. I've seen artists share their magic virtually with the world. I've seen friends send beautiful poems that bring calm.
If I'm an advocate for anything, it's seeking the unknown and connecting with people wherever they are on their journey. When you walk forward with your eyes open, you see that we're all doing the best we can with what we've got. This week, the connectedness and humanity that I've witnessed give me hope that by leaning on one another, this will pass. And we will make the best of our new normal. In the spirit of leaning on one another, here are tips and resources that have brought me comfort, joy, and hope.
How I'm scheduling my day —
(thank you Hannah Bronfman for the inspiration)
How I'm working —
Millions like myself are fortunate to have the ability to work from home, which means adopting a new distributed work lifestyle. I knew as much about working from home as I do the inner workings of a vehicle. Thankfully, NPR's Life Kit series came to the rescue. They recommend creating a space that feels like an office. To do this, I cleared off half of our dining room table, brought in an extra lamp, and stacked up a few boxes to create a makeshift standing desk #bigdeskenergy. After creating a workable space, test your software and applications. If your Internet blows and you've got video calls on deck, try closing out of your other programs and shutting off the video portion of the call. For those with kids, try to stagger your meetings with your partner or other family members, if possible. Here's an example of a schedule that's helping my cousin and his wife navigate working from home with little ones.
Next, communicate with management to discuss your priorities and how they'll be accomplished. Be honest if something isn't working or can't realistically be done from home. Err on the side of over-communication.
When it comes to actually working, dress the part! Go through your normal morning routine to get yourself in a professional headspace. Set a time to be "in office" and set a time to "leave work," marking both on your calendar. Further utilize calendaring to block off time for short walks and time for eating.
Do your best not to look like a goon on video calls. Your 4x7 apartment in Murray Hill might not have golden hour lighting, but keep your space as well lit as possible and keep the background professional. Yes, I absolutely own a sign that reads, "Forecast for tonight: alcohol, poor decisions, and regrets," but ya don't see that hanging on the wall behind me during meetings with my manager! Most importantly, be on the court. Stay engaged when someone is speaking. And of course, know when you're on mute.
Last, have fun with it. My rockstar coworkers have planned virtual coffee chats and happy hours, daily competitions ("fun sock" day was shockingly entertaining), and end-of-week Rose, Thorn, Bud reflections. Take the lead and schedule time for connection.
What I'm grooving to —
Australia's dopest radio station compiled all of the songs from its annual "Hottest 100" list over the past 10 years -- Triple J's Hottest 100 of the Decade 2010s offers 121 hours of fantastic alternative music. For those who have yet to appreciate the goddess H.E.R., come to the light and listen to pure gold. Feminist baddie Florence Given has playlists for general boppers, dreamy boppers, and even sexy psychedelic boppers. Comic Jaboukie Young-White curates playlists you never knew you needed, like wistfully gazing out ur childhood bedroom window reliving your teenage depression. Blood Orange is a vibe. One of my yoga instructors has countless playlists for your chaturangas. Paris-based, self-taught artist French Kiwi Juice ("FKJ") creates loopy, groovy music that's great for cooking or playing board games with your quaranteam. Netflix's charming rom-com turned runaway hit To All the Boys I've Loved Before (and its sequel) have soundtracks that slap.
What’s getting me sweaty —
Long runs chock full of fresh air have been my favorite way to start the day. But it's important to incorporate all sorts of different movement. For bodyweight workouts, I like this circuit from Ross Edgley and this brutal Marines-inspired 500-rep workout from explorer Aldo Kane (who might I add is easy on the eyes). Lululemon offers a wide range of videos centered around fitness and mindfulness on its YouTube channel, like this functional bodyweight session with Leonel Franco. Speaking of mindfulness, now is a wonderful time to cultivate awareness and compassion. Apps like the Healthy Minds Program and Headspace are a great place to start.
If you've got access to weights, the Hemsworth workout is a Vigilante family favorite. GQ offers a great guide for designing your own full-body workout that's efficient and effective. My favorite instructors from all across the country are leading workouts through video calls and Instagram Live — thank you Julia Lehrman, Erin Gilmore, Keoni Hudoba, Michele Litchman, Ryan Kennedy, and Julien Pell for sharing your gifts. Watch your favorite instructors virtually and tell your friends about them. That way when studios reopen, they'll have classes brimming with hungry new fans.
Conversations I’m listening to —
I really really admire funny people with strong work ethics, so I could happily listen to Conan O'Brien riff with other comedians all day long. Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard because it's easy and makes me smile. Song Exploder spills the tea on iconic songs. Bear Brook is a different kind of true crime pod. Cocaine & Rhinestones has awakened an affection for country music. WeCrashed is like the entertaining antithesis to How I Built This. Believed brings the stories of survivors to listeners around the world.
What I'm Watching —
TV. Miriam Maisel is a woman who needs no introduction. Father/son duo Eugene and Dan Levy nail the jokes in Schitt's Creek. The best show of all time is The Wire. If you've never had the chance to watch, heat up some baked ziti and throw on The Sopranos. And there's always the show that raised me, Friday Night Lights.
Movies. Lion tells the remarkable true story of a young boy separated from his family in a rural Indian town at the age of five, and his quest to reunite with them. "I f***ing loved Knives Out" -- my brother, on his love for Knives Out. Adam Sandler gives you the anxiety attack you never knew you needed in Uncut Gems. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days is the rom-com you forgot about (okay I was the one who forgot about it) that you should most certainly revisit.
Documentaries. American Factory looks at the United States through the eyes of Chinese factory workers and managers. Sour Grapes uncorks a massive wine industry scandal and shows how one guy conned the richest of the rich. The craziness of the money-driven world of contemporary art is put on display for all to see in The Price of Everything. Short on time? Our friend Alex Gibney's docuseries Dirty Money tells the stories of corporate malfeasance and crimes, one episode at a time.
What I'm reading —
Nonfiction. William Deresiewicz's essay Solitude and Leadership describes the essential role that being alone with your thoughts plays in developing leadership. Aurora Almendral's The Lonely and Dangerous Life of the Filipino Seafarer offers an eye-opening glimpse behind an industry unfamiliar to many and the people powering it. In her memoir Educated, Tara Westover shows there's nothing that an education, an open mind, and an unstoppable drive can't overcome. Chanel Miller, another female powerhouse, shares her story of sexual assault and resilience in Know My Name. In Shoe Dog, Nike founder Phil Knight recounts how Nike became the company it is today, each page dripping with the kind of passion few of us will ever witness first-hand (and even fewer will feel) in our lifetimes.
Fiction. Tayari Jones' An American Marriage intimately follows a young black man's wrongful conviction and the resulting dissolution of his marriage. The Nickel Boys, another masterpiece from Colson Whitehead, pays a wrenching tribute to a real reform school for boys in Florida and the tragedies that occurred there.
What I'm cookin —
I know it's incredibly tempting to sit inside and panic-eat reduced fat Cheez-Its while sending depressing memes to your group chat, but it's more important now than ever to fuel your body with goodness. As Dr. Mark Hyman explains, "Our immune system relies on nutrient-dense whole foods to function well. Death from infections in the developing world is often not due to the infection itself but the body’s inability to fight it because of nutrient deficiencies...this is a great opportunity to cut sugar and starch which suppress the immune system."
I love the detox I just finished, so to keep feeling good, I'm loosely sticking to its list of approved foods. My family is digging this Provencal Greens Soup I made (thanks NYT Cooking) that's loaded with warm broth, garlic, and leafy greens — all those immune system helpers. Been on a smoothie kick, so I've been following this flexible format from celebrity health coach Kelly LeVeque. Loving NOBREAD's Sweet Potato Smoothie Bowl and Dr. Hyman's Berries & Cream Smoothie. For a quicker option, I'm eating Three Wishes, a food company that's finally figured out how to make low-sugar, high-protein cereal that tastes delicious.
Who I'm rooting for —
Small businesses. America is a country built by underdogs with big ambitions. Yes, the federal government will need to provide small companies with some of the money they're temporarily unable to earn. But until then, if you're able, order takeout and gift cards from your favorite restaurants. Shop locally, online. Take my favorite bookstore, McNally Jackson, which is "closed for browsing but open for business." The store is shipping orders placed through its website anywhere in the U.S. Rally around these small businesses that make our day-to-day lives so wonderful.
What I'm leaving you with —
Michelle Obama's words, "When they go low, we go high." While you're being responsible and distancing yourself to slow the spread of this thing down, I encourage you to help stop the spread of racism, too. Do not associate a disease with a group of people. We are all human. (Virtual) cheers to kindness.
Finally, your moment of zen.