5 Things I Consumed Last Week (firsts)
the first blog, newsletter, podcast, movie and magazine
Dear reader,
Thinking about ‘firsts’ is always exciting. First time you rode a bicycle, first salary/stipend, first date, first solo travel, first everything.
This is my first newsletter! If you ask my two year younger self about what a newsletter is she will have no clue but time moves fast. This issue is about the ‘firsts’ of content I started following and really admired all throughout these years.
Tell me a little about the first incident that the word ‘firsts’ clicked in your mind.
Note: If my emails end up in the ‘promotions’ tab, please move them to the inbox so you don’t miss out.
First newsletter : Rochi by Rochi Zalani
Rochi reached out to me on Instagram after she saw my comment on one of Maria Popova’s post and she was right to tell me that I would dig her newsletter since I am a fan girl of Popova.
Her first newsletter introduced me to jangandfox, a cute comic besides introducing me to a million other blogs, newsletters, poetry, book recommendations and what not.
She is revamping her newsletter now to ‘the musing mail’, go subscribe.
First blog : Wait But Why by Tim Urban
I came across Tim Urban’s blog while randomly researching things to put in a coaching deck about productivity. His blog is an epitome of how you can earnestly teach but be interesting and factual at the same time.
I personally admire bloggers who intersperse funny caricatures with writing, it makes the subject extremely lucid to understand. The first long form blog I read was ‘The Tail End’ which depicts human life in a varied form of objects as a reminder that life is short.
Some of other articles that I really enjoyed from his blog:
How to Pick a Career (That Actually Fits You)
The Marriage Decision: Everything Forever or Nothing Ever Again
I really really enjoyed his Mailbag Q&A which are basically answers to weird FAQs. Cracks me up always!
First Magazine : Aeon (Sister Newsletter : Psyche)
My esoteric friends in college introduced me to this magazine. They learnt about it from some nerds in their CAT coaching and we went on discussing every new update on their articles for a long time.
A self-described world of ideas, Aeon features brilliantly written long-form essays on topics ranging from philosophy, science, and psychology to health, culture, and society. The site also has short ideas (around 1000 words) and informative videos if you're not one to read 3000-5000 word articles.
First Podcast : Habit Coach by Ashdin Doctor
My accountability buddy introduced me to this podcast on habit building. We had just finished reading ‘Atomic Habits’ and exchanging to-do lists so it was the perfect timing for this podcast.
Ashdin’s podcast is bite sized, no fluff. His voice and modulation is ear candy and he always starts with an exciting anecdote which you can’t help but pay attention to. We were so impressed by his teachings we used to maintain a shared note to update whatever we learnt.
First Movie (of this year) : The Man from Earth
You can’t possibly expect me to tell you the first movie of my life!
The Man from Earth is one of those conversational style movie masterpieces which not a lot of people appreciate (Remember Before Sunrise? - same genre but ditch Vienna’s comely backdrops).
It explores the idea of a 14,000-year-old “cave man” living throughout history until today. The plot centers on John Oldman (ahem), a university professor who claims that he is a Cro-Magnon who has survived for thousands of years. The film explores a variety of philosophical questions, and through deep discussion among several educated men and women, history is picked apart.
If you are craving something DEEP (possibly Interstellar deep) which makes your mind question everything around you, this is it.
That’s all for this time folks!
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As always, I appreciate your feedback (suggestions, critiques, positive reinforcement) as well ideas that inspire you, reading/podcast recommendations etc.
You can write to me on bhumikasankhla12@gmail.com. or connect with me on IG at _i__cook or use the comment section!
With love and gratitude,
The Hummingbird🌺
Hey B!
A lot your of firsts happen to be my firsts too, and I must admit that I'm aware of some of them because of you. This is an incredibly interesting list that you've curated here! I'm really excited to check out the ones that are new to me.
The word "firsts" reminds me of the first book I read for pleasure and not because it was a part of my curriculum. I was in the 8th grade and I remember eagerly running to the library to check out the Nancy Drew series. I believe "Nancy Drew: The Clue in the Old Album" was probably the first book I ever read and it's the series that got me into reading!
Curious to know what your first book (that was not a part of the curriculum) was!
Sending you warmth and hugs! <3