5 Things I Consumed Last Week (the year in listicles #1)
the best newsletters I read in 2022
Hello Nello! The end of the year is inching closer and so are the rituals. Summarizing the whole year in the form of posts like these is an entertaining exercise, you can literally play the whole year in front of your eyes. I can recall the point in time when I read something, who was I surrounded with, what was I doing etc.
When I started writing on Substack in June, I did not expect we would become a community of 600+ readers. I am always grateful for that. I wish and hope we get to meet in person sometime but until then I will keep bugging you with recommendations. December is going to a wind up with ‘best of 2022’ posts - stay tuned!
On the philosophy of life
bookbear express | Ava
I eagerly wait for every post of hers. She has a knack of interweaving philosophy with wisdom and personal stories like no one else. I relate with her on so many levels and there were times this year when I kept re-reading her past posts whenever I couldn't sleep.
For starters : understanding is rare and consistency is proficiency
manners & mystery | Elaine
Elaine shares everything and anything related to the subtle nuances of life that we fail to notice. A part diary entry, part personal and part wisdom, her newsletter is a mixed bag with an artsy cover art in every issue.
Read and think about : balance and codependency
Sasha’s ‘Newsletter’ | Sasha
Usually when people write about emotional health it is just fluff but when Sasha writes about it, it almost feels like a therapy session.
Please please read : How I Attained Persistent Self-Love, or, I Demand Deep Okayness For Everyone
The No-Bullshit motivation
Infinite Play | Nat Eliason
Something that I look forward to every Monday. Nat opens with a strong story that will get you hooked, interspersed with hard hitting quotes, book references, brilliant writing and cover art.
Personal favorites : How to Get Insanely Rich in the Creator Economy and When the Money's Just Too Damn Good
Mind = blown long form essays
The Intrinsic Perspective | Erik Hoel
I will let Erik describe himself cause I am always at a loss of words whenever I see his writing.
The Intrinsic Perspective is about consilience: bridging the sciences and humanities by essayistic forays into everything from literature to artificial intelligence to neuroscience to culture.
Read it twice and let it simmer : Why we stopped making Einsteins and The gossip trap
Not Boring | Packy McCormick
On business, strategy, tech, trends and all that goes behind them. These are detailed long form essays and even if you read one of them, you will have a lot to think about for the rest of the week.
Must read : How Do I Teach These Kids?!
The Prism | Gurwinder
Just as a glass prism unweaves light into its constituent colours, so The Prism unweave popular beliefs into their constituent elements, revealing the delusions especially among the ways in which technology and psychology conspire to fool us.
Every creator should read : The Perils of Audience Capture
Art is for everyone
The Art of Noticing | Rob Walker
Based on his book titled the same, every week Rob shares a new perspective to make mundane things interesting through the art of noticing (literally). Read : Instructions for Imaginary Acts
Austin Kleon | Austin Kleon
The OG illustrator and pioneer of black out poetry, every Friday Austin sends a list of 10 things that are worth sharing. It is an ensemble of art, writing, books, music, movies, and much more.
You don’t know women enough
Womaning in India | Mahima
A newsletter to break down unnoticed lives of women through women (especially in India). I love how Mahima sprinkles the newsletter with Bollywood memes and sarcastic notes.
Educate yourself : Raja Beta Syndrome and Men, Women, and the Mental Load of running a house together
Poetry + everything cute
The Alipore Post | Rohini
This is one of the first newsletter I started following and I discovered so many gems from Rohini including herself (I was lucky to meet her this year). I will keep recommending Alipore Post to every reader forever (*teary eyes*) including Dear Jasmine - an advice column which will certainly make you sob.
Poetly | Aranya
A lot of people complain that they don’t understand poetry, Aranya does an excellent job at breaking down some of the poetic masterpieces.
Start with: Pluto Shits on the Universe ": A glimpse into Chaos with Fatimah Asghar and Hakim Bey
Writing about writing
visakanv’s switchboard | Visakan
Being a writer has its own challenges. Nobody has ever been so transparent about it as Visakan. His essays are raw, relatable and reverent.
Every writer will relate with : I don’t wanna and nothing is edgier than earnestness
Just Enough to Get Me in Trouble | Lyle McKeany
Just read this for the sake of knowing what excellent writing is : How to write better stories in 4 easy steps (don’t judge the title)
For the child in you
Chirp and Moo Loves You | Anne
If you are looking for some tiny love letters, subscribe to Chirp and Moo and receive love and warmth in your inbox.
I really hope you enjoy this ensemble, more listicles next time 🙆🏻♀️
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You can write to me on dearhummingbird1@gmail.com. or connect with me on IG at _i__cook or use the comment section!
With gratitude,
The Hummingbird🌺
I identify and read so many of these newsletters and they are all such *gems*! Thank you so much for introducing me to most of these. Cannot wait to check out the others 🥹
Thanks for recommending Womaning in India, my mother and I read and gossip together about it.