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editor's note
Dear ,
It's our fourth birthday this week, and in true COVID-era fashion, we almost forgot. But in the spirit of marking time and change — which feels especially important right now —we took a trip down memory lane with some GNI teammates and Loungers (members of our paid membership community). We asked for their all-time favorite issues and recs since 2017, and here's what they said:
"Wow, looking back over the years and so many issues stand out — reflecting on my own shame around burnout in Issue 140, unpacking why we should celebrate our friends' non-wedding milestones more in Issue 120, Jolie Kerr's 'Ask a Clean Person' takeover issue, and there was something about curating Issue 36 that holds a special place in my heart, too." - Alisha, CEO & Founder at GNI
"The rec for Friday night chores from Issue 59 still sticks out to me — I've been doing it ever since I read Rachel's recommendation. Enjoying a clean home all weekend is really just *chef's kiss.*" - Christina S., Lounger
"I have two standout recommendations, both courtesy of Alisha: I felt very seen in Issue 145 about preparing for my first Friendsgiving (folding chairs and all) — and also the issue that featured the seasonal Hearth & Hand Harvest candle, which changed my life!" - Emily W., Lounger
"A very random rec I remember is the Desk Drink Trifecta — water, a caffeinated drink, and a 'fun' drink. I have three drinks on my desk so often and it always makes me think of GNI." - Kyli W., Lounger
"GNI gave me permission to buy myself fresh flowers every week! Even the small bouquets from Trader Joe's make such a difference." - Siobhan M., Lounger
"I have two that come to mind: Tyler's note about saying 'good skill' instead of good luck in Issue 152 pushed me to make sure I am putting the effort into celebrating all of my friends' big days. And it felt like Alisha was reading my mind in Issue 69. I really needed to hear: 'You're probably doing a lot better than you think you are' that day (and lots of days since TBH)." - Jenny A., Lounger
"This is small but the first time I heard about the Huji app was through the GNI newsletter! I still use it to this day." - Emily H., Lounger
"The issues I think about most are Carey's love letter to snacks, the Lounger-written Juneteenth issue, and this issue that's packed full of coping tips and advice from friends of GNI like Katie Couric, Meena Harris, and Jessamyn Stanley." - Jenna, GNI Content Team
"The personal budget spreadsheet was a huge help in getting me to keep better track of my expenses." - Pilar S., Lounger
"The therapy issue really stuck with me and sparked some good conversations with friends around our mental health journeys. Spreadsheets are also my love language — I loved using the group trip planner in the Before Times and Alisha's grocery list template has made my chaotic grocery list much more navigable (especially important as we're trying to minimize time in the grocery store!) in the now times." - Emily L., Lounger
"A couple years ago, GNI did an issue on dogs and it happened to coincide with my birthday week. Kismet!" - Katrina, GNI Partnerships Team (and resident dog mom)
"Issue 183 inspired me to invest in a watercoloring set, which has become my new favorite way to unwind on a Friday night!!" - Martine P., Lounger
"Normalize the nopes in Issue 181!!!" - Meredith B., Lounger
We're curious: What are some of your all-time favorite recs or issues? We're thinking about doing a roundup. 🤔 Reply to let us know what you think!
To four (and more and more) years,
The GNI Team
P.S. Want to help us celebrate? Forward this issue to a friend who likes who'd want to subscribe here.
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🐌 It's National Puzzle Day and our sibling brand, Whiled is celebrating with a promo code for 10% off a puzzle with code WHILEDPARTY. Take a peek here.
🤗 Thanks to everyone who read along with The Power of Ritual this month. To celebrate the culmination of our time with this book, here's an exclusive sneak peek at a gathering our membership community, The Lounge, hosted with author Casper ter Kuile about building a ritual calendar. Our February book club pick is The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans.
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weekly picks
what we're recommending this week...
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an idea for celebrating friendship via @thesweetfeminist
- If you're rearranging everything (again)... 🛋 Spoak is an A+ tool to help make moodboards and mockups and pull in products from the internet in an effort to visualize your space better. Hot take: It's way easier than Photoshop.
- Because it's a really great year to send a love note... 💝 The @sweetfeminist made Valentines, pictured above, that say things like "I non-romantically love you" (because all love is worth celebrating).
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Good news if you're trying to remember to take your vitamins... 😯 Nurish by Nature Made has a five-minute quiz to help assess your priorities for your body. Once you take it, they'll recommend a personalized daily mix of vitamins and supplements that'll be delivered to you for ease and access as you get into the groove of nourishing your body every day. GNI readers can get 50% off your first month with code NEWYEAR. #SPONSORSTHING
- If you're feeling the winter slog... 😴 It's that time of the year when it's dark early and often too cold to walk. If you're home during the day, surrounded by omnipresent screens, might we remind you of the restorative powers of a micro-nap? Set a timer for 15 minutes and just... recharge.
- Calling all bookworms... 🤓 Merriam-Webster added a whole batch of new words to the dictionary this year and some may surprise you (we could have sworn hygge, ASMR, and coworking were in there before).
- A few very helpful Internet things... 👩💻 1) important questions to add to your weekly reflections, 2) this reminder to stop underestimating yourself, and 3) this infographic on where to place your rug in every type of room.
- In the spirit of taking care... 😷 New research shows you should probably start double masking. Public health is part of taking care and it's important to acknowledge that.
- If you're trying to pick a bouquet this month... 💐 In the hands of the right person, Lego flowers could be a big hit. (The person is us. We want Lego flowers. Sadly they're sold out everywhere we've looked.)
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sponsor spotlight: penguin random house
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How to create a stack of specifically before-bed books...
Studies show that settling in with a book before bed can help you get a better night’s sleep, boost your mood, and reduce stress. So here's an idea: Why not build a ritual around reading as a tool to help wind down? Here are four we'd recommend:
🌟 My Inner Sky by Mari Andrew: In her second self-illustrated book, writer Mari Andrew explores all the emotions that make up a life — and makes the case for putting yourself in the path of magic.
❣️ The Hill We Climb by Amanda Gorman: Last week, Amanda Gorman became the sixth and youngest poet to deliver a reading at a presidential inauguration. Her poem, The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country, is soon-to-be available to revisit, with a foreword by Oprah Winfrey.
🌈 Untamed by Glennon Doyle: If you're looking to make 2021 a transformational year, this book is both an intimate memoir and an empowering call to action.
😂 Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby: You'll laugh until you cry as Irby covers relatable feelings from the overwhelm of new home ownership to the moment you realize you're too old for the club.
What's on your before-bed reading list? Find more books perfect for drifting off here.
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read/watch/listen
✨ some picks of the week ✨
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🌟 Scrolling...
The Power of Cuddling | Elemental
I am Taking Control of My Own Consent | Salty
How I Made a Home Gym on a Budget | Healthyish
The Grapevine Looks a Little Different Today | The Atlantic
How Tattoos Became a Symbol of Control and Pleasure in the Covid Era | Nylon
🎧 Listening to...
"Curator Ikechúkwú Onyewuenyi put together this Spotify playlist of records that James Baldwin owned and listened to when he lived in France." - Mary Anne, Community Team
"In the Uncomfortable podcast, creative activist Dom Roberts takes a look at what it means to be Black in America today. Recent episodes cover burnout, accountability, white supremacy, and hard conversations. This 2020 episode with We're Not Really Strangers founder Koreen Odiney is a good place to start." - Tyler, Content Team
"My deep dive of the week is all the drama surrounding Olivia Rodrigo's new song, Driver's License. Here's the song (not my fave), a full explainer on the context, and here I am telling you I might just be Team Sabrina. Would love to hear what you all think though." - Jenna, Content Team
🍿 Watching...
"If you miss theater and live performance, Derek DelGaudio's In & of Itself on Hulu is almost as great as being able to go to a show again. It's part magic and part illusion (stick with me here) but somehow remains authentic in its storytelling throughout. It really makes you question who you see yourself as versus how others see you." - Jenny, Partnerships Team
"After months of internet buzz, I finally watched Ted Lasso on Apple TV+ and it was absolutely as heartwarming as everyone says. Don't let its origin story (it was an SNL skit) or theme (it's about a football club) fool you. It was very lovable, uplifting, and the perfect 20- to 30-minute per episode show to fly through in a weekend." - Katrina, Partnerships Team
"I am LOVING WandaVision on Disney+. It's a very clever approach to a show — so far, each episode exists in a different decade that pays homage to television shows of the past. Great set design, great fashion. But you can tell that something isn't quite right with this fantasy world... which is where the suspense comes into play. While I happen to be a fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this show is great for non-superhero people as well. It just feels like a breath of fresh air, in terms of sitcom treatment!" - Carey, Content Team
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Thanks for reading and supporting GNI and our partners — they help make the creation of this free newsletter possible. Just a note: GNI may receive a small commission from items you purchase from this newsletter. ❤️
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