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Hey Reader,

Life is a bit chaotic at the moment, but I'm so glad to be here.

I'm writing this from an apartment that is mostly full of boxes and small holes in the wall (don't tell our landlord🤫) - we're moving to a slightly larger space tomorrow (as I alluded to in last week's post), and we're gearing up for a packed May!

I have noticed, in the midst of the busyness, that writing this newsletter has a grounding effect. It's bringing me back to my monthly rhythm and reminding me that the craziness will pass.

When you're going through hectic times, what is grounding for you?

While you think about that (and tell me about it via email), I'd like to share a few things that were inspirational/interesting to me during the month:

​How to Be Insensitive to Your Sober Friends​

Are you the type of person to purposely say something insensitive to your sober friend? I have a feeling you're not; however, there are times when we all say/do things that are unintentionally rude.

My hope is that this article highlights potential areas for improvement when it comes to interacting with our sober friends and family!

Additionally, if you know someone who embraces insensitivity as part of their personality, consider slipping this article into their email and praying that they read it with an open mind.😅

​Reentry​

Sometimes returning to work after a long vacation can feel like listening to death metal while dealing with a migraine.

I found this article (addressing that very topic) soothing, reassuring, and encouraging. One piece stood out to me in particular:

While that snippet can apply to so much of life, I've never thought about the process of sitting with the uncomfort when it comes to work.

Have you given it a try before?

​5 Morning Habits That Will Make You Super Productive All Day​

Morning routines are prime candidates for optimization. The dilemma then is deciding what habits are worth your time.

Last year, while reading Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day, I was struck by the realization that we don't need to craft the perfect routine from the start. We can be more like scientists, testing out the effectiveness of different habits until we find what works for us.

That's why I enjoy quick-hit, list articles like this. They throw a bunch of ideas in our direction, providing us with the opportunity for experimentation!

My plan is to give meditation another try. God knows that it'll be more impactful than an hour of YouTube every morning!

​7 Incredible Ways ChatGPT Can Enhance Your Workday Productivity​

Whether you've read my article about ChatGPT or have just been hearing about it on the news, you still may have neglected to give it a try yourself.

I liked this article because it shows how simple and useful AI can be. Whether you use it for writing, scheduling, or explaining, now is a wonderful time to test it out for yourself!

​Should You Dump Amazon Prime in 2023?​

Prior to my minimalism journey, subscribing to Amazon Prime was a given. I was shocked to meet someone who didn't shell out the yearly fee to get fast, "free" shipping.
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Of course, along with decluttering my belongings and life came a reconsideration of the subscriptions I chose to engage with. It turned out that Amazon Prime lost significant value as I bought less and tried to live more sustainably.

While subscribing to Amazon Prime doesn't automatically make you a corporation-loving maximalist, it can't hurt to take a moment to reconsider the subscription for yourself.

Here we are!

Whether you're in the midst of a transition like myself or are coasting on a path of normality, I hope the articles above have given you a moment to consider a new idea or expand your worldview.

At the very least, I'm glad you stuck around for the ride, and I look forward to sharing more with you in a month!

Cheers,

James

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