better things is back!
and coronavirus is here to stay (so is TikTok)
Hi everyone! If you signed up for this newsletter, I love you. Screaming into the void on social media hasn’t been satisfying enough for me and it isn’t good enough for my portfolio either. I’m trying to get more freelance gigs as a writer and content creator, so I need some content! Anyway, this weekly newsletter will be a mix of my musings, things I liked that week that I think you might like too, general tips, and some op-eds or personal essays.
As I’m sure you know, the coronavirus panic is very real in New York right now. All the schools besides the CUNYs have cancelled in-person classes and switched to online classes. The WeWork I work in was closed for a few days because of it - someone on another floor tested positive for it. I thought we’d be shut down longer but it really only lasted the weekend. The few days I’ve been home from work have been great. I’ve felt this weird emotion that one might describe as….happiness? Freedom? I’m really sad that I’ll have to let it go tomorrow when I return to reality. But also - I need to make money!
I have reeeaallllyyyy been itching to write about TikTok and none of my pitches on it have been accepted. So let me do it here! Then, you can see my picks for what to watch, eat and drink this week. Also - sign up to subscribe below!
So, if your employer cares about your health, chances are you’re working from home this week. I’m sure you’ve seen all the working from home advice that’s been flying all over Twitter. A lot of it is bad - please don’t “get dressed.” There is no damn point. At the most, put on lounge-wear. Think airport clothes. Anything that you wouldn’t be embarrassed to answer the door or walk to the bodega in. But might I offer some actual good advice to boost your productivity? Download TikTok.
I know it sounds crazy: download a social media app to boost your productivity. But hear me out. TikTok is an app that inspires creativity and productivity by using bite-size clips to make goals seem more attainable. Workout videos push me to work out, even if just for 10 minutes, making me feel instantly better about myself and my accomplishments for the day. Cooking videos make meals look simple and not over complicated, inspiring me to cook aa healthy dinner for myself. Room/house cleanup and makeover videos motivate me to straighten up whatever room I'm sitting in, reminding me that it really does only take a few minutes to make a difference. And once I've spent 10 minutes working out, 5 minutes cleaning, and a few minutes thinking about what I want to do for dinner that day, I'm more focused when I go back into my work.
Honestly, watching TikToks has really picked me up out of some funks lately. I'll be laying in the dark watching these 15-60 second clips when I see some suburban teen post their morning routine - washing their face, brushing their teeth, making a nice breakfast, doing a light workout at home, and for some reason - in that format, it makes it look easy. It's not like watching the perfect people of Instagram go to Barry's Bootcamp or spin class, then boozy brunch with their friends, spending tons of money and looking perfect - all things that only heighten my feelings of inadequacy and make me more depressed. In fact, most of the time, these TikToks don't even show the person's face. They motivate me to get out of bed when it feels like it's too much to do. Maybe I won't clean my whole house or work out, and maybe breakfast is just tea and biscuits, but it's better than nothing. Even workout clips in TikTok format make them seem more doable and have inspired me to work out at home, even if it's something light while I'm sitting on the couch watching TV. The faceless, bite-size clips make a better day seem attainable.
TikTok is a lot like other apps, still - there is a lot of rich kid content and shit done purely for aesthetics. But there's also these clips of reality that aren't exaggerated too much, that make big and small changes to improve your day seem not so scary.
What to watch this week:
Movies:
20th Century Women on Netflix
I always want to see Annette Bening play someone’s slightly (or extremely) crazy mother. This film gives me that, and Greta Gerwig, and Billy Crudup, and Elle Fanning who I am really starting to grow fond of. PLUS - a great scene about menstruation and just a lot of great writing. If you like coming of age movies and A24 (um, who doesn’t?) then you’ll like it.
TV:
Better Things on FX and Hulu
Better Things is back! Oh, how I love this show. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. Pamela Adlon has a gaze of her own. All of the actors play their roles exceptionally well. Those that are the most unlikable are still lovable, which is no easy feat to accomplish. The new season starts with Sam more vulnerable than ever before, maybe. And she isn’t the only one. Everyone seems to be in a more open and vulnerable state. And it won’t stop raining in LA. It’s beautiful. Watch it. Love it. Louis CK doesn’t work on the show anymore, so you don’t have a reason to boycott it. OK?
Ugly Delicious on Netflix
Food shows are the most mesmerizing and calming TV for me. Ugly Delicious is such a great example. David Chang is committed to story-telling, has interesting guests (better guests than he had on Breakfast Lunch Dinner - the Lena Waithe and Chrissy Teigen episodes made me wanna vomit and as mildly likable as Seth Rogen is, I’ve seen enough of him on food shows) and the score is always perfect. I meant to start the new season, but Netflix started the first season over for me, and I’m not mad - I’ve been watching all week and loving it. The first episode about pizza is truly stellar TV.
What to eat this week:
Spicy Tofu Stir-Fry
So, I kinda just freestyled this. I’m trying to make *better choices* and tofu is usually a good one. And I love a good stir fry.
What you need: extra firm tofu, bell pepper, mushroom, any other veggies of your choice, Trader Joe’s Soyaki sauce (or soy sauce, or teriyaki), Sambal Oelek ground chili paste, any other typical Asian sauces (oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, etc.)
You can be pretty free with this in terms of flavoring. I made it by pressing the tofu ‘til it was dry, cutting it into cubes, then marinating overnight in soyaki. I sauteed the marinated tofu in olive oil (you could and should use sesame oil if you have it lol) and the remaining sauce, and added in the veggies, a little oyster sauce, little hoisin sauce and let it simmer for like 20 minutes. Towards the end, I added in the chili paste, maybe like a teaspoon and that was plenty. The end flavor was spicy + sweet, like drunken noodles. You can serve with rice or noodles, or just eat it on its own.
What to drink:
Homemade Iced Matcha Latte
Because they cost $6-7 on average! And we don’t have that kinda money to spend. Please love yourself and buy some real matcha powder. It can be pricy, but if you go to HomeGoods you can get deals on it! And other healthy, bougie stuff you couldn’t typically afford at Whole Foods. Side note: I always mix those names up. They just sound too similar! Anyway, I got this one at my local HomeGoods and it’s apparently an Australian brand but it’s 100% pure matcha powder, no add-ins, and it was only $12.99 - the price of 2 matcha lattes! For a container that can make 110! I LOVE a deal!
So, to make a matcha latte (hot or iced) you should heat up some water but get it right before it’s boiling. Then, using a whisk and wide cup, or a mortar and pestle, pour a teaspoon or two of matcha powder into the cup or mortar, then a tablespoon of hot water, and mash or whisk it into a paste. Once all the clumps are gone, add about a cup of hot water and whisk. If you’re drinking it hot, add sweetener to the matcha and steam milk of your choice. Pour the matcha into a mug and top with the steamed milk. If you’re drinking it iced, fill a cup with ice, pour about a cup of almond or oat milk in, and pour your sweetened matcha over the ice and milk. It will also look really cool!
Thank you so much for reading and subscribing to my newsletter. It means the world to me. As a writer who is trying desperately to get my voice heard and make writing my full-time job, this seems like the best way to start taking matters into my own hands. You reading this helps me get closer to my goals. Please send any suggestions!