Have you ever taken yourself on a date? Just you. A good meal. A glass of wine. Maybe a book. Maybe a scoop of ice cream. This week when my husband was out with some friends, I decided to take myself out. I went to Baciccia, an incredible Italian eatery in Park Slope that sells a wood-fired pizza made with sausage, hot soppressata, hot honey, and ricotta cheese that will make your mouth melt. I went early—as soon as the restaurant opened—so I could simply enjoy the meal and my wandering thoughts on my own.
I’m usually the kind of person who fills her time with people. A night in my own? Ask a friend to dinner. Get my brother to go out for a drink. Watch a few episodes of a show.
It’s like I don’t even give myself the chance to just be with myself. I used to do this all the time in Chicago, taking myself to coffee shops to write whatever I was working on at the moment. Those moments always lead to my most creative aspirations. It was by myself that I decided to start a dance company. Write a book. Even make a decision that yes, I do think I could see myself marrying this man.
So I took myself out on a date. I ate a salad and pizza and drank wine, licked on an ice cream cone as I walked in Prospect Park, the sun setting over my shoulders. I thought about everything and nothing. A meditation that I didn’t allow myself for so long.
I guess I’m writing all of this to say that you, too, should take yourself on the date. Maybe that’s a lofty goal with your life being so busy (especially if you have children, I get it). But even a quiet coffee in the still of an early morning. Or a drink by the water at night after a steamy summer day. Give yourself the time fo have that meditation, to let your mind wander. To give yourself the chance to understand yourself even more than you already do.
Because you just never know what will come out of it.
That’s a little bit of what’s on my plate this week. A few reads for your weekend—enjoy.
What I’m reading
Instagram Perfection is Over: Welcome to the “Shitty Craft” Era (In Style) Why do we have this need to turn every creative hobby into a side hustle? Like, why can’t we just make shitty crafts and share them with our friends—or keep them for ourselves? I like to crochet blankets, and I don’t feel the need to sell them on Etsy. What’s your thing?
Sensitive Photos Unfolding The Realities Of Childhood Transition (Refinery29) This is a beautiful story about a young girl transitioning more into who she truly is, and it’s the most powerful tale of love and parenthood that I’ve ever read. There really are some good parents out there.
More Than Just Takeout (The New York Times) I have grown such a fondness of Chinese restaurants and businesses in the states after learning so much of its powerful history, so this read was enjoyable for me. The xenophobia Chinese business owners faced during the pandemic is gut-wrenching. Pieces like these fill me with such love and such hope.
Reimagining The Pizza Parlor (The New Yorker) These are the kind of pieces I would love to write someday. Essays about cultural food trends, seeing the types of meals and tables people are sharing together and learning about the culture and history around it.
How to throw an (almost) zero-waste birthday party (The National Geographic) I feel like you can apply all of these tips to any type of party you are throwing this summer. You don’t need to make a ton of trash in order to have fun! There are solutions.
32 Breakfast Sandwich Recipes Worth Getting Out of Bed For (Bon Appétit) I do love me a good breakfast sammie!!
What I’m cooking
Classic Beef Tacos (Eat This, Not That!) I made a big batch to get us through the week because I’m lazy and we leave for vacation today.
Roasted Turmeric Chicken Pitas with Garlic Lemon Tahini (Half Baked Harvest) was a HIT with my family this week! They loved it. Especially after making homemade sourdough pita bread out of this cookbook.
Cinnamon Sugar Sourdough Waffles (The Clever Carrot) is one of my favorite sourdough discard recipes to make at home. When I’m not feeling like making these crepes, of course.
That’s it! Have a great weekend.
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