Friday Musings—14/06/24

How’s your week going? Hit reply and let me know—I read every email.

What's new with me

My bf has been reading The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months, a book on goal setting and time management that breaks the year into four 12-week periods. I've been looking for help in identifying worthwhile goals, breaking them down into daily/weekly tasks and following through, so he asked if I wanted to join him in this approach, which includes weekly accountability meetings.

We set our first tasks and had our first meeting yesterday in the mountains (I loved combining nature with accountability!). I'll report back after 12 weeks with a complete breakdown of the approach and my results. This might even be one of the videos I make to kick off my YouTube channel (in the meantime, you can subscribe now, and I promise you will get content at some point!).

I also had my second session with the psychotherapist at the Gestalt association in Turin, and made some—very modest—investment decisions. You may remember that one of my goals at the beginning of the year was to learn more about personal finances and start investing.

Seeking a fix to modern loneliness

I really enjoyed this article exploring the wildly varied approaches to finding connection in 2024. The author reflects on the "loneliness pandemic" we're experiencing and how socializing is becoming a lost art. Having spent many years alone due to the secrecy brought about by my eating disorders, this is a topic I'm very familiar with and one I've also started discussing with my new psychotherapist. The author also points out that while digital platforms can help people connect, they also risk exacerbating feelings of isolation if not used thoughtfully.

Loneliness is an area where investors are increasingly focusing their attention. The solutions in the article range from AI-based apps to social clubs to relocating to be close to friends. The insights on how technology can both hinder and help combat loneliness remind us of the importance of being mindful of our technology use and reflecting on the quality and authenticity of our interactions. I found some of the examples of innovative solutions to loneliness inspiring and hope more will emerge.

Lessons from a Navy Seal

I thought that this interview with Jesse Itzler—an entrepreneur who spent a month with famed Navy Seal Dave Goggins—would be about feats unattainable for the average person, filled with impractical advice. Instead, Itzler's lessons are incredibly simple and sensible, reminding us to focus on the few things that really matter and to push ourselves a little out of our comfort zone every day. I also liked the reminder not to delay doing the little things we don't want to deal with (I follow the two-minute rule: if it can be done in two minutes or less, I do it right away). After all, “how you do anything is how you do everything.” I might even buy Itzler's book, which the interviewer says is hilarious.

Are you a coffee lover?

If so, you'll be happy to know that, according to this study, moderate coffee consumption may offer substantial benefits in reducing biological aging 😊 I'm not a huge coffee drinker, but I do enjoy a good espresso after lunch. For some reason, many wellness circles believe coffee is bad for you, despite no scientific evidence to back that up. At a yoga retreat I attended many years ago, my teacher was so adamant that we shouldn't have coffee that he got really mad when he found out someone had "smuggled" some into the kitchen!

Quote of the week ✍️ 

"We are all so much together, but we are all dying of loneliness."  (Albert Schweitzer)

As always, I welcome your insights or questions. Which musing was your favorite? What do you want more or less of? Any other suggestions? Let me know in the comments or send me an email. Don't forget to share this with someone who may find it interesting.

Enjoy your weekend and TTYS

ML