The Sounds She Collected is a newsletter about mixtapes and mixed emotions. Thanks for being part of this hive mind for empathetic, hopeful people.
I recently watched 2020’s indie dramedy I Used To Go Here, and I can’t stop thinking about it. Maybe it’s because the main character, played expertly by Gillian Jacobs, reminded me of myself as a 30-something woman, writer, and Illinoisan. But it’s largely because the film delved into the power of nostalgia and discovering the authentic self that we can easily lose along the way in life.
I am currently writing this newsletter to the teen-centric sounds of Spotify’s latest playlist I’m obsessed with, text me back. It’s making me feel wistful, like I’m 16 years old again and driving around the suburbs aimlessly, stopping to get shaved ice at the spot my high school comrades flocked to in droves at the first sign of humidity. I am so different now, but in many ways, still the same.
With things in the U.S. percolating and reopening at a wild pace (marked with uncertainty and trepidation on my end)—and my continuous thoughts about subjects like this and this—coupled with no shortage of terrible goings-on in this world, life lately has taken on a presentation of extremes: rapid and languid, busy and free, sad and happy.
My default state as someone who constantly feels too much is not to bask in happiness, but to notice it and swiftly move along. Lately I’ve been challenging myself to hang onto these joyful moments as the world around keeps spinning on its out-of-control axis. So I’ve been keeping a running list of all of these things—the joy list.
SARAH’S JOY LIST
Re-watching Grace and Frankie
Watching Ramy for the first time
Going to sleep with the windows open
Walks in the forest preserve
The Olivia Rodrigo album (Can’t fight the hype—catch me singing “traitor” anywhere and everywhere!!)
Coffee shops
Train rides (Didn’t think I’d miss this AT ALL, but here we are)
Learning more about the artwork of Kerry James Marshall for my art classes five years after going to his exhibit
Vegan, gluten-free sourdough bread that actually tastes good
Oil paint and vine charcoal
Farmers markets
Vibey Erykah Badu songs
Voice memos
Discovering Degrassi is available on IMDb TV (thanks, B!)
Buying a CONCERT TICKET AGAIN
Somatic meditation
Memoirs
Falling back into a style of music you loved at a different time in life and being reminded of that version of yourself
Self-compassion
Ice cream sundaes
Gardens
Authentic connection
Less Zoom
More hugs
Today’s newsletter is a reminder to stop when you can to think, I’m really enjoying this moment. I feel good right now. This makes me happy. So often when I am in these emotional spaces, I don’t take the time to truly notice and appreciate them, and then I spend so much time trying to get back to them when I’m away from my center.
This week’s playlist, golden hour with the windows open, is made for joy lists. It’s also the first playlist in the TSSC MOOD series! The MOOD series will explore different, well, moods, but they’re going to get nuanced and specific. If you have a ~*mood~* you’d like me to explore through music, reply to this email with your idea!
It’s all happening,
Sarah
Send this to the friend who always, without fail, texts you a sunset picture.
Share a hello or song // Press play and listen
The Sounds She Collected is committed to social justice and advocacy. Each month, I’ll be matching donations to a charitable organization. This month’s organization is Marwen, with a mission to provide free visual arts and college and career programming for Chicago’s young people from under-resourced communities and schools in middle through high school. Share your donation receipt with me, and I’ll match.