Scheduling time to cry

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:

• “Aw, man, you use to, like, feel everything.”

• Things I’m watching and listening to

• Crying once a week at minimum

• How to help the LA small business community

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

My word for 2025 is FEEL and it felt fitting that I decided to watch the movie A Real Pain last week. I had no context other than a few people who I respect spoke about how much they liked Kieran Culkin’s performance. I thought that it was going to be firmly a comedy but it’s a comedy/drama. It made me feel a lot of feelings.

The movie is about two very different cousins who travel together to Poland. I felt uncomfortable almost the entire time and I really liked the movie. Both things can be true. Without spoiling it (although I don’t think it’s the kind of movie that can be spoiled), I related to Jesse Eisenberg’s character, David, who could be described as self-conscious, anxious, and a little reserved around people or in new places.

There are profound moments throughout the movie where David apologizes on behalf of others, tries to prevent awkward situations or conversations from happening, and feels embarrassed because of other people. I would say that all of those feelings, in the movie and in my own real life, can lead to jealousy and resentment. And perhaps the worst of all, isolation or loneliness.

There’s a scene where Culkin’s character, Benji, says to David, “Aw, man, you use to, like, feel everything.” And I realized at that moment that if I really let myself feel everything, I will have a harder time wearing any kind of mask or being fake for the sake of others’ feelings. But by result, I won’t feel quite so lonely.¹  

And to tie these heavier thoughts back to inspiration and creativity: David Lynch spoke to this better than I could ever!

Crossed my path

things I’m doing off social media

• I outlined all of the travel that I’d like to do in 2025 and blocked days to take off of work. Taking time off felt nearly impossible the first decade of owning a business and now it’s possible because of my team!

• I use the app Pocket Casts to listen to podcasts and I love the queue feature² . I’ve been “behind” on my podcasts for months³ and this weekend I finally caught up thanks to 1.2x speed (I cannot go faster than this without feeling like I’m trying to make my enjoyable time more “efficient” which makes it…unenjoyable for me.)

• Watching:

  • I’m watching The Traitors Season 3 and really enjoying it. Alan Cumming is unparalleled but we all know this.

  • Finally caught up and finished Hacks Season 3. One of my all time favorite shows. I would follow Lucia and Paul anywhere.

  • Watching the first ep of Severance Season 2 tonight!!!

  • I recommend downloading Tubi and watching trailers of movies you’ve never heard of

• Music:

  • Texas Blue by Quadeca (thanks for the rec, Ryan)

  • IT girl by JADE 

  • Everyday by Celeste (thanks for the rec, Adam)

Feel

ways I’m exploring my word for 2025

I stumbled across this website called Cry Once A Week. Did you know that crying helps complete the stress cycle? Yesterday’s video was the scene where Bambi’s mom was killed. Absolutely brutal. Absolutely effective.

1 I have great people in my life who love me. But loneliness is a subjective feeling of being alone or isolated, even when surrounded by others. I believe that specific feelings of loneliness, at this point in my life, stem from my desire to make other people feel more comfortable more important than the desire for me to live authentically.

2 Yes I know Spotify has a queue but I don’t like mixing music and podcasts! Who knows why!

3 The podcasts that I listen to are relatively time sensitive so being behind isn’t quite as fun!

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