THE WEEKLY PAGE 📝 No. 227

Writing by hand + what to read, watch, listen to and enjoy...

How often do you write things down by hand throughout the day? For most of us, that number has decreased steadily over the past two decades. ✍🏻

And while digital tools are amazing, sometimes we lean too heavily on them.

When we write something down by hand, our brain receives valuable motor feedback that helps embed that information into our brain.

Research shows that writing by hand makes us more likely to retain the information, more likely to take action on tasks, and helps us feel more connected to the information.

So my advice to people is always this: find a balance between your digital and analog systems so that you can optimize the benefits of both.

For example: use a digital system like Microsoft To Do to do big picture project and task planning, but make your daily to-do list by hand each morning so your brain has time to absorb and process the information.

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📚 READ: One of my favorite accounts to follow on Instagram is @TinyPricksProject, and I was thrilled to hear she’s written a book, which came out last week! If you or someone you know is into crafts and activism then this book is for you! Order a copy here.

📺 WATCH: Back in 2018 I woke up to an email from one of my closest friends telling me they were transgender. To be honest — I didn’t even know what it meant at the time! And in the 6 years since, I’ve learned (and unlearned!) a lot. Having trans people in my life has made me a better person in so many ways, and I can’t wait to see Will Ferrell share his similar experience in the documentary Will & Harper, which comes out September 27th on Netflix. Watch the trailer here:

🎧 LISTEN: Was anyone else helplessly obsessed with This is Us before the hit series ended in 2022?! I miss the Pearsons, and totally forgot that a podcast about the show, called This Was Us, started coming out in May. It features Mandy Moore (Rebecca), Sterling K Brown (Randall), and Chris Sullivan (Toby) rewatching episodes of the show and breaking down what was going on behind the scenes. Honestly this is the type of show my nervous system needs right now, and you’ll catch me tuning in until election day 😂 Listen on Spotify.

🧡 ENJOY: Have you heard of Whisper Campaigning? It’s simple, just write a note to voters on a post-it and leave it in a public bathroom stall. I was inspired by women who were doing this at the Minnesota State Fair a couple weeks ago, and left my own notes in gas station bathrooms across Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois during my trip back. A few notes:

• Don’t use tape or write directly on surfaces. Post-its work great and don’t create a great deal more work for cleaning staff.

• Your messages don’t need to be party-specific. Simply encouraging people to vote and letting them know where to get more info is great. Here are some of the post-its I wrote:

  • “Abortion laws DO NOT reduce abortions. Supporting women and families DOES. Register to vote at Vote.org”

  • “Hey you! Don’t let him tell you how to vote! Register at Vote.org ❤”

  • “Your vote is private ❤ Register at Vote.org!”

  • “Women’s rights are human rights. Register to vote at Vote.org ❤”

  • “Women are amazing! Register to vote — VOTE.ORG!”

  • “Your body, your choice! Register to vote — Vote.org”

  • “Register to vote! The election is November 5th!” Vote.org”

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HOW I CAN HELP! Use the code SUBSTACK to take 10% off purchases from the links below:

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