36 Comments

"a nice day will not be found on your phone."

What a perfect and true sentiment. I need to put it as my lock screen!

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unfortunate but true!! x

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I totally agree with this!

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Writing this on a post-it: "Once you let go of the idea that having responsibilities ruins your life, a nice day is much likelier to find you."

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The bit about obligations being a burden but also a tether reminded me of the part in Intermezzo when Margaret reflects that maybe those obligations we have to other people is the very substance of what makes a life; that "life is itself the netting."

Also this piece: "The demands of other people do not dissolve; they only multiply. More and more complex, more difficult. Which is another way, she thinks, of saying: more life, more and more of life."

Loved this one, thank you <3

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This is my favorite comment as someone who was rereading intermezzo literally this morning, so thank you!

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I am scandalized that you somehow know about my Algebra II class and the recurring nightmare that I have to retake it. (I can’t! I won’t! The numbers are not for me!)

I hope you have another nice day soon! Maybe even today!

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hahaha it is very much a frequent thought for me, i *hated* math class! x

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“Keep the plans. Make roots of them.” Needed to hear this, thank you so much.

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"Annoyances, sure, but don’t our responsibilities—to ourselves and to others—tell us that we are alive and in community?"

Ohhhh that's going somewhere that I can stare at it often. This whole post is a treat/lovely reminder. Thank you.

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I loved this. ❤️🙏🏻 & Early mornings *do* feel like that painting!

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like, i do not make the rules, they do! x

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I’ve read a bunch of variations on this topic but, unsurprisingly, yours is far and away the best! I so adore your way with words - thanks for sharing it with us 🖤

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thank you so much, Mary!! x

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I got a Brick after six or seven too many Instagram ads and have found it useful for turning my phone into a music player with maps/transit apps/a phone/a camera for going out and having a little wander. Also useful for sleep and work. The physical ritual of tapping my phone to change modes is stupidly helpful. Anyway, if you were wondering, should I spend $60 on a piece of plastic and slick marketing if an app blocker alone isn’t doing it for me… it is worth eight fancy coffees to me.

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Gaahhhhhh those ads. Glad to know it might truly be useful (I do keep wondering)

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"Regain familiarity with something that once held meaning for you" - how beautiful! I adore the Forest App I used it a lot in grad school and the start of this year I have been frequently turning too it as a means to stop the multiple pick ups!

I wish I had, had toast this morning!

Thanks for sharing:)!

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I loved this! This was such a soothing and inspiring message (especially to get outside more). Thank you! Living like Young Woman Reading by Alexandre-Louis-Marie Charpentier is the most incredible feeling.

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How can I make wallpaper out of this so that I can start my day with it every morning? So good!

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Dominique, this is so nice!!! Thank you!

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I love that the footnotes are further thoughts of yours ☺️. It mirrors my love of using parentheses as my aside.

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lolll called out at my attempt to over-rely on parentheses!! x

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So lovely, thank you 💌 I'm in a 9-5 office (ugh) and my weekends feel so frantic sometimes because I'm trying to cram everything in at once. Might try to follow this on Sunday.

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How lovely AND how timely. Thank you for the reminder that it’s the little things that make a nice day so nice

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what a lovely post that put me in a positive mood for the day! Thank you - I agree that once you give over the idea that being free from responsibility is the goal, you will release so many expectations and just enjoy the tasks that make up our life with more joy.

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