I read a lot. I read a lot of books, but more often, I find myself saving articles on Twitter to read later or clicking through the next recommended piece under whatever article I just read. I’ve done enough digital marketing to know I’m a website’s dream user — you can easily suck me in.
Every once in awhile, among this mass consumption of articles, one sticks with me. It’s something I’ll go back to when I’m feeling out of control or need guidance. Here are my Top 5 articles that I live by — I hope they help you, too!
1. Friday Night Chores Are The Gateway To A Great Weekend by Rachel Wilkerson Miller, Buzzfeed.
A few weeks ago, I was talking to someone and when I joked that I was a big nerd, citing my encyclopedic knowledge of many musicals and my addiction to a weekly Dungeons & Dragons podcast, they told me that didn’t make me a nerd, it just made me passionate! I find this debatable. But regardless, when forced to defend my statement, I blurted out that I have Friday nights on my calendars reserved for chores.
“Alright… that is pretty nerdy.”
I have this article to thank for that — and a very clean apartment!
2. I’m Not High Maintenance—I Just Love Myself by Morgan Fykes, The Everygirl.
I have a lot of routines. I go to yoga three times a week. I’m trying to cut electronics an hour before my set bedtime, 10pm. I have calendar time set aside to cross stitch each week, because I need my creative outlet. Sometimes, I feel like it’s too structured, until I abandon it for a week and feel tired, out of control, and frazzled.
I’ll agree that this routine is high maintenance, contrary to the title of this article. But it’s a good reminder that it’s okay to be high maintenance, and it’s okay to love yourself.
3. An Axe for the Frozen Sea by Megan Stielstra, The Believer.
Shortly after finishing this article about a year ago, I mass texted my friends: OMG. I read this article about axe throwing as an expression of feminist rage and I need to throw an axe. Want to come?
One year later, I regularly hang out with a man named Magnus who arranges his beard into two braids and owns a collection of axes. My friends and I are in a competitive league. It’s a great way to express your rage — in fact, my throws are better and more powerful when I’m angry. I have to express my rage at the target in order to be consistent.
4. Giving Myself A Dress Code Changed My Dang Life by Rachel Wilkerson Miller, Buzzfeed.
Rachel was my favorite Buzzfeed writer (RIP layoffs) and I still read her blog every week. She’s the best. And in addition to my clean apartment (see #1), she helped me figure out what to wear to work everyday!
Just about every day, I wear a pair of Madewell Jeans, a Halogen tank top, and a random cardigan. People notice that I wear the same thing most days, but no one cares. It’s office appropriate and I always feel comfortable in it. Win win!
5. Want To Have It All? Then Do More Of This In Your 20s by Ali Rosen, Refinery29.
This is a fairly new addition to the list, as you can probably see by the publication date. But it’s got me reflecting a lot about what I want from the future, and how I want to get there. Literally every personality test I’ve ever taken says I’m ambitious, like structure, and love to make plans — all true. My future planning has been extremely career focused. It’s time to make other plans.
Do you have articles you live by? Or articles you think I should read? Leave them in the comments!