Issue 35: Week to Weekend Nurturing & Playing 🌱
Spending the first week of 2024 with more intention.
Happy New Year Friends!
How was everyone's holiday season? We hope 2024 has been off to an amazing start as we've been slowing down and trying to be more intentional with our theme this year: Nurture + Play. For Akina, she rang in the new year with her grandmother in Japan, visiting shrines and eating ozoni. Let us know what your theme is this year! Can't wait to create more magic with you guys 💛
Wishing you prosperity and joy,
Marissa & Akina
10 Ways to Bring More Play & Nurturing Energy in 2024 ✨
1. Read More
Reading means slowing down; it's carving out time for yourself to get lost in a story and a world. Currently reading Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. We're only on Chapter 3, but we highly recommend it to anyone who wants to take a trip down nostalgia lane. We wrote an issue about reigniting your love for reading again.
Here's what else is on our list:
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
Atlas of the Heart: Mapping Meaningful Connection and the Language of Human Experience by Brene Brown (if you haven't watched the Call to Courage on Netflix, we highly recommend it – she's hilarious!)
2. Make Good Art
We're both part of a creative writing group and talked about how uncomfortable experiences make for good art. It's such a great way to look at it from a different perspective. Shout out to Marie for sharing this humorous cartoon art inspired by Niel Gaiman's words: Make good art.
Write a haiku about how you burnt toast this morning
Draw a cartoon of a date gone wrong and give it a happy ending
3. Take More Walks
Connecting with nature is always good for the mind and soul. Listen to the natural sounds of the world and observe your surroundings. If you’re traveling, stroll around your neighborhood, or if you’re staying in Guam, walk the Hagåtña Heritage Walking Trail.
Take a morning stroll on Sundays
Spend 10 minutes of your lunch break walking outside
4. Cook Recipes From Your Grandma
Grammy always has the best recipes. Learn grandma's signature dishes and add them to your cookbook. Akina learned to make ozoni, the traditional mochi soup enjoyed during New Year. While every region has its version, it's eaten to bring success, good wishes, and good health.
5. Watch a Foreign Movie
Turn the subtitles on and watch a foreign film. There's a unique allure in witnessing a thriller, mystery, or drama unfold from a different perspective. Experiencing it in the country's dialogue also adds to the overall experience – yes, we're looking at all of you anime dub watchers.
6. A Little (or a little Sprinkle of Humor)
We can’t deny that laughter is the best medicine. While anger can have a severe negative impact on our emotional well-being, laughter is said to have some magical effects that help boost our immune systems.
Listen: Daily Shower Thoughts
7. Host a Monthly or Quarterly Game Night
Gathering with friends doesn’t always have to be centered around dining out. Host a Sunday Game brunch or at-home dessert tasting with your favorite multi-player board games.
8. Do it Alone
Eating alone is a simple way to nurture your relationship with yourself. Actually, doing anything solo means enjoying your own company. A relationship with the self is such a beautiful thing.
Enjoy a movie by yourself
Book yourself a pottery class.
9. Christmas in July
Because why not? We wait until the holidays to get together, so why not make it an entire celebration in the summer? Throw them onesies on, play some good ‘ol Harry Potter, and have a white elephant just for the heck of it.
10. Tap Into Your Flow
The flow state is where the magic begins. It’s the incredible feeling of being completely immersed in what you’re doing. According to VeryWellMind, “it takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes of focused attention to reach a flow state. Once in flow, it may last from 30 minutes to a couple of hours. However, it is possible to achieve flow more than once a day, given the right conditions.”
Challenging your current skills can help you achieve flow. For example, challenge yourself to attempt painting using a new medium or software if you’re a graphic designer.
It’s Never Too Late to Choose a Theme
We love that so many people are embracing PLAY in 2024! It’s never too late to choose a theme. If you’re having some trouble choosing a theme, here are some suggestions:
Mindfulness
Minimalism
Flow
Sustainability
Nourishment
Creativity & Expression (our 2023 theme)
Balance
Adventure & Discovery
Magic
Self
Health
New Year’s in Japan
By Akina
It’s been nearly a decade since I spent New Year’s in Japan, and it was so beautiful to experience as an adult with my now 86-year-old grandmother. We spent the days unplugging and resting, taking walks, while diving into all the unique Japanese New Year celebrations.
A huge part of New Year’s is also relaxing and tuning into the various shows and programming. In the middle of one of our shows, we felt an earthquake, and seconds later, national news broke out, alerting us of the devastating 7.6 magnitude earthquake that shook the Ishikawa prefecture. My heart breaks for the families who lost loved ones on a day that was supposed to be full of warmth and joy.
If you want to donate to Japan’s disaster relief, here are some organizations that Tokyo Weekender has vetted.
Akai Hane (Red Feather) Central Community Chest of Japan; one of Japan’s largest non-profit organizations.
Have a Good One!
We have some great stuff coming up 😉 Follow us on IG, and don’t forget to subscribe for more weekly goodies.