I think this email is about being uncomfortable

Offline Recess is a newsletter that invites you to pause from digital distractions and rediscover the joy of finding inspiration on your own terms, away from the algorithm.

A quick summary: It’s Sunday and today we’re exploring:

• The lost art of standing out

• How I saved $500 on my pre-owned winter coat

• On seeking truth

I did not have anyone edit this so if you see a typo, be relieved that I’m a human and not a robot.

Intersections

things that are connecting during my recess

Lately I’ve been stumbling across vintage clothing tags/labels. Like this Reddit post, this Instagram reel, or this Pinterest post. Personally, clothing tags irritate me. A lot of my clothes don’t even have them anymore—the info is printed directly onto the fabric, which I prefer, sensory-wise. But visually? I love vintage tags. I like when a brand differentiates itself instead of trying to blend in. That’s the whole point of branding: to be undeniably you in someone’s mind, not to disappear into the noise.

There are countless articles about how branding in the 2000s (especially the 2010s) started to all look the same. These waves and shifts in aesthetics aren’t new. Trends roll in, some roll out, some stay timeless, and some come back around.

We’re constantly immersed in the same scripts: the products influencers push, the ads we see, the algorithm feeding us what it thinks we’ll like. And all of that shapes our tastes. Sometimes without us even realizing it.

I think it takes guts to create something that people haven’t been trained to “like” yet. So the next time you see something new, weird, or hard to place — give it a shot.

Sticky offline things

things that stood out over the week

• I watched The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (recommendation from my friend Ryan). I would love for all of the billionaires of the world to get it a watch as well!

• The clocks change next week and it’s always comical, to me, that I think spring weather will arrive on March 1st. As I write this, it’s sunny but 30 degrees fahrenheit (-1.11 C). With that being said, I bought another Patagonia fleece from their Worn Wear program. Over five years ago, I bought my 3-in-1 jacket from there for $200 (usually $699!)

• This warm apple compote is so easy and delicious. My friend Lauren shared the recipe with me. I added it to my yogurt bowl this morning and it was so great. Don’t skip the lemon!

Advice for this week

a quote that stuck with me

This past week, Sharon (and Dr. Becky) shared a little bit about learning and truth. To summarize, too many people struggle with uncertainty and latch onto the comfort of "knowing"—even when what they "know" isn’t true. We have to get better at tolerating "The Learning Space"—that frustrating gap between not knowing and knowing. Resilience isn’t about getting to the answer quickly. It’s about being able to sit in the uncertainty long enough to actually learn.

P.S. You’ve enjoyed this newsletter over the years, you can help contribute to the cost of publishing. I don’t have any intention of putting up a paywall but you can Venmo me @alliepal or send a tip via Paypal (this account is under my maiden name Jocson because Paypal makes it nearly impossible to change your name). Thank you to all who tip me!