Morning Brew - 🍻 Gryffindor common room

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At one time or another, we’ve all pulled up a YouTube video of a crackling fireplace to relax, “keep warm,” or entertain dinner party guests. YouTube ambience rooms are just like ’em, but they’re leveled up with animated scenery and soothing soundscapes that create a whole vibe. These videos can be a stress reliever, an escape from your desk view, or a WFH soundtrack. Whether you’re missing your local coffee shop or want to lounge in the Gryffindor common room, here are my personal favorite ambience picks: 

• The medieval alchemist lab, where you can hear the making of potions and elixirs. 
• Spend your workday in a 24/7 coffee shop. Come for the hygge atmosphere, stay for the smooth jazz or raindrops on the window. 
• Pop into 221B Baker Street, where you can listen to London’s street-sweepers while sitting by a crackling fireplace.  
• If you miss the library stacks, power through a study session in an 18th century library. 
• A hacker’s room in a cyberpunk city. 

Read: 

• The ultimate guide to making creative ideas happen. Pro tip: Work in full-screen mode to minimize distractions.
• If you’re considering a social media detox, this Guardian piece about people who felt liberated by theirs will convince you to try one.
• An interactive explanation of why time moves faster as you get older.

Listen: 

• Instead of listening to ChilledCow lo-fi hip hop radio, hit shuffle on retro library music. Research shows you might be more productive. 
• Breathe your way out of stress with neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman’s techniques. I’ve started using his real-time tool for decreasing “hyper-alert” stress: the double inhale, long exhale method. 
• Find a workout plan you’ll stick with, thanks to Joe Holder, Nike master trainer, founder of the Ocho system, and new MasterClass instructor. He proves high-low isn’t just a style tip.

Watch:

• If your go-to party trick is solving a Rubik’s cube, aspire to create portraits from 400 solved cubes like this TikTok artist. 
• A short doc about Bellerby & Co, one of the world’s last-remaining globemakers. 

We finally stopped using our ex’s account to stream our favorite shows…

Now we're team Tubi. It’s the streaming service that lets us watch our favorite movies and shows for free. 

So we’re saying “so long” to the days of mooching login details for a dozen different streaming subscription accounts that never even belonged to us (sorry, Aunt Shelly). 

Instead, Tubi gives you instant access to thousands of movies and TV shows—from blockbuster movies to bingeworthy reality TV, LGBTQ films, and more. 

Download Tubi and start streaming for free today.

Try It: 

• Mix: From Nutella-stuffed churro French toast to a homemade chili crisp, here’s your TikTok cookbook. Yes, the famous pasta is included.
• Systemize: Untools is a database of thinking methods and frameworks to help you decide everything from where to order takeout to what your next career move should be.
• Play: Reimagine your surroundings with Funmingo’s video chat games. They’re ages 7-135 approved, and if you like what they’re doing, you can contribute to their Kickstarter, which ends tomorrow. 

Buy It: 

• Support: Today’s “Buy It” section is dedicated to resources and ways you can help those affected by the winter storm in Texas.
  • A master Google Doc with a cold weather handbook, a list of pet-friendly warming centers, and places to donate.
  • If you’re in Austin, check out this spreadsheet of what’s free, what’s open, and where to find warming centers.
  • Thousands of Texan sea turtles were rescued from the sub-zero waters and shores. Here’s how you can help them.   
  • A list of mutual aid resources and even more orgs to support. 

@austinsills Instagram

Utah or Mars? Austin Sills-Trausch is an avid traveler, leading trips across the US and photographing national parks from every angle imaginable. 

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