Take a Break | Issue #2: Round-up and recommendations
Recommended book, podcast, plus what's around the Substack you might want to read.
A couple of days ago, I celebrated a year on Substack, and a week ago, I shared my first-ever interview as part of the new series.
It took me a year, but I finally feel I know my space on Substack and what I want the Coffee Break newsletter to be in the next 12 months. Monthly round-ups and recommendations play a huge role in my publication, I wish, as long as you enjoy it.
Why is that?
We all live busy lives, and it’s easy to miss the posts here and there. It’s also easy to get caught up in the hustle of the next best thing and forget to slow down and reflect. What’s going on for you? How was this last month, and how can the next one be just a little better?
I joined the gym after four years!
When you join a gym, one of the first things they start you on is your current health check so that you can track your progress. Then, in 6-9 months' time, they have factual metrics to demonstrate and prove that this system is working.
On Monday, I signed up for a 12-month membership at the local gym, and the trainer did the same for me.
To my surprise, I am healthy. (According to the smart computer, my health is of a 29-year-old while I’m strolling through my early 40s.) This is great news, so I don’t know why I signed up!
But seriously! Going back to the gym was on my To-do list since the COVID-19 pandemic cut my steady exercise routine to a full stop. It took four years to get back to it—the longest procrastination streak ever.
Before I share with you noteworthy recommendations and roundups from July. Let’s pause and reflect. Together.
What’s been going on for you in July? How was your month? What went well, and what are you most proud of? What could have been better? What are your plans for the next month?
If you’re interested in reading more about reviving your drive and completing monthly reviews in the most straightforward way, read this article. It is not the post I emailed out; I only published it. I often do things against the ‘common advice’ to test things out for myself. My work is often one big experiment, and I often have the urge to write, but I don’t want to flood your mailboxes.
With that said, let’s move on to July’s recommendations.
BOOK(s): Reading list 2023
Don’t you love visiting physical bookstores? Whenever I visit a new town, one place I step into, without a doubt, is the Waterstones or whatever bookstore is around.
Typically, as soon as I walk in, I start browsing around, seeing what is on the shelves, taking a photo of the books that sparked my interest, and then buying them for my Kindle. I love carrying all of my books with me at all times, and the digital version is the only way to do so.
I thought it’d be a good idea to share with you my reading list from last year. Don’t ask me why I think it’s a good idea to do it halfway through 2024.
You can tell much about people by what they read—see for yourself.
PODCAST: “Creative coffee” by Emma Gannon
If you're anything like me, you're probably using podcasts to escape the monotony of your commute or to drown out the sound of your coworkers discussing their weekend plans. I've been binging on Emma Gannon's "Creative Coffee," and it's been making me late for work. But let's be honest, being late because you're inspired is better than being on time and dead inside.
Emma is so talented when it comes to interviewing others. You don’t feel like you’re listening to a podcast; you feel like your ears are dropping on two people having a friendly chat about creativity and life’s ups-and-downs.
To access this podcast, you need to be a paid member of
.Yet, as a good friend, I do have an alternative for you. Podcast Ctrl Alt Delete with Emma Gannon available with any podcast provider. Over 450 episodes will keep you company while you drive, shop, do your chores, or whatever you do when you listen.
Over 450 episodes will keep you company while you drive, shop, do your chores, or whatever you do when you listen.
Recent articles and essays
Lastly, here are the posts from the Coffee Break newsletter you might have missed in July.
Recently, I posted a note about overwhelm from subscriptions, and most importantly, I’ve asked writers/ readers how they manage and keep on top of their inboxes. I’ve received many great tips, which I am testing out now. If you struggle to keep up with all the publications you’ve subscribed to, you might want to use some of the tips I received.
Substack round-up
Read from the Substack; you don’t want to miss. For this month, there aren’t so many recommendations.
I really struggled to fit it in around other work, for example with the interviews, working out the process for that and also, during the last week I tried to be more active on Notes.
I will eventually figure out my process of how to read and catch up on all the newspapers I’ve received but have not had a chance to read yet.
In the latest article, Kelcey shared how she creates her illustrated stories, which I would add that I absolutely LOVE.
My notes over the last week have received a good response. That’s not down to me cracking the algorithm; it’s credited to the Tom’s Notes challenge I participated in from the 22nd to the 29th of July. The challenge is over. Watch my notes engagement drop rapidly. Mind of a Writer offers many great tips on how to WRITE. Thanks to Tom’s challenge, I have ‘met’ many amazing writers and discovered a handful of new publications.
No matter what I write about Creative letters, I don’t think I can do justice to Robin's beautifully written short-form posts. You’ve got to visit, subscribe, and read them for yourself, then tell me what you think.
For me, Creative letters make me think, inspire, and motivate me, and often, they remind me that I am resilient. Nine out of ten times, creative letters arrive in my inbox when I need them.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for every like, share, comment, mention, restack, or any other type of support you show me. It means a lot, and it helps me keep showing up.
Congrats on getting back to the gym! That’s huge!
These are one hell of recommendations. How will I get any writing done? How is your consume vs create strategy, Jana?