Weekly things

January jitters, dopamine and how to do a handstand

Things to read

• What I've learnt about how to unwind (without feeling guilty)

• Applying the six principles of athletic training to creative work

• “Dopamine’s primary role is to make us want things, not necessarily like things” — an interesting framing of dopamine from Scott Barry Kaufman

• “This is the resolution I find myself making as the new year begins. To create more and complain less. To open my mouth only when I have something worthwhile to say. To be more deliberate with my words. To support friends, to make art, and to see the world. The rest is just noise.” —

  Dan Ozzi
  of
  REPLY ALT
  on creating more and talking less

• ICYMI: The thing that helped in my first year of sobriety

A thing to try: Doing a handstand

There’s much that appeals to me about learning how to do a handstand: the change in perspective that comes with being upside-down; opening ourselves to the potential fall; the freedom in being able to take an exercise wherever we go.

It’s something I’ve been longing to try, and so it was a delight to serendipitously connect with Daniele Mendoza who is a calisthenics trainer offering online coaching and a method for handstands.

Daniele generously shared insights on handstands, calisthenics and aliveness in a mini Q&A—even if a handstand isn’t something you want or perhaps are able to attempt, I hope this conversation inspires you to play and find strength in various ways