What I’m Reading, Watching & Listening To This Month
aka My Comfort List. Proof that consuming art is just as important as creating it.
I’ve been busy and not really feeling drawn to creating at the moment, so I’ve been taking that time to rest and reset (and travel). To be honest, I think part of it has to do with being a bit homesick. One thing not many people mention about moving abroad is having to replace your lifelong comforts with new ones. Your local grocery shops might not carry the things you found comforting (or just loved), the restaurants are different, the people are different—and on top of that, you miss your people who are across the big pond.
One thing about moving abroad so impulsively is you don’t really spend time thinking about these things before diving in headfirst. On one hand, that’s a good thing, it doesn’t give you time to talk yourself out of it, and it opens up a world of possibilities and newness. On the other hand, it can feel like you’re closing a chapter of your life that you can only revisit through a long trip back or an eventual move home.
Since I haven’t been able to find much comfort in the restaurants, shops, or cooking here, I’ve been taking advantage of the digital age we live in, finding comfort in music, reading, TV shows, and movies that have always brought me joy and a taste of home.
Luckily for me, this month has been big on new releases, so I thought it’d be fun to start a monthly post where I share what I’ve been reading, watching, and listening to as a creative (and a human).
Reading:
Just Kids by Patti Smith
I bought this book a while ago but finally cracked it open, and I’m so excited to keep going! I’ve heard only great things. If you haven’t heard of it, it’s a memoir by Patti Smith (very iconic American artist) that gives a glimpse into her relationship with photographer Robert Mapplethorpe and life in New York during the 60s and 70s.
33 Mini-Habits That (Quietly) Changed My Life – Rigging Reality
This came across my feed, and I loved all the bite-sized habit ideas that can make life better. They feel attainable, easy to start, and just helpful in general. I’m looking forward to incorporating some of them into my own life to re-jumpstart creativity.The End of Summer Reset for Creatives – Art Direction (by Zoe)
Kind of in the same realm as above, this one was so good. Especially as we wind down summer and prep for fall. Plus, who doesn’t love a good reset?
The Art of the Album Campaign: Why Music Now Comes With Its Own Visual Universe – It’s Nice That
I’ve been obsessed with the “worlds” being created in the music industry over the last few years, and this article gave great insight into why that is, plus it included some stunning visuals.
Elizabeth Goodspeed on the Rise of the Designer as Influencer
Honestly, I’ll read anything Elizabeth writes. This one came out in early July, but it took me a while to sit down with it. So worth it, though. It explores how designers have shifted from focusing solely on their work to also “performing” their identities online. I’ve been reflecting on this a lot as I think about progressing in my own career. Sometimes posting process work consistently feels fake or unnatural. What starts out natural can quickly turn performative, and I get wrapped up in the analytics game too. This essay breaks down how and why that shift happened. Highly recommend.
Watching:
Grace & Frankie
If you know me, this isn’t a surprise. It’s my go-to comfort show when I need a brain break. I also love Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda’s chemistry. Lily’s character Frankie, with her care-free attitude toward life and creating, always leaves me inspired.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Yes, I’ve been keeping up with this one too. I love how it brings people of all ages together. That said, I think it’s criminal to make us wait week after week for cliffhangers! I just finished episode 8 before writing this and… wow. C’mon Jenny!
Btw I am team Conrad in case anyone was wondering.
The Golden Girls
I realized I had never actually watched this from start to finish, so I started from the beginning. Blanche’s nightgowns and robes are everything. I want them all. And the humor still holds up so well, one of my favorite things about older TV shows.
Wednesday
As fall approaches, I was so happy to see a new season of Wednesday. I’m obsessed with Jenna Ortega’s press tour looks, but also—the show itself! The set design, costumes, atmosphere… all of it. It feels like a grown-up, creepier Harry Potter, and I’m here for it.
Gah, I just absolutely adore these looks. My favorite is the far left.
Getty Images And Just Like That
This might be unpopular, but I don’t get the hate for this show. I wish it wasn’t the last season! I loved seeing the characters grow even more. Sex & The City is a show I’ll never get tired of, so even though this series got cheesy at times, I still loved it. The outfits, the drama, the styling of their homes, it’s all so good. Even the new characters added interesting twists. Sad to say goodbye to Carrie Bradshaw, but I’ll get my fix soon with another SATC rewatch.
Honorable mentions:
Harry Potter (all of them) — perfect fall rewatch
Children Ruin Everything — hilarious, feel-good show
Desperate Housewives — great humor, fun to revisit
The Devil Wears Prada — no explanation needed
Gilmore Girls — my annual September 1st rewatch tradition
Listening:
My early 2000s romcom playlist (still dare you to have a bad day after this one)
The Crux – Djo (still obsessed, always feels fresh when it pops up on shuffle)
More – Wallows (their music got me through a lot of loss last year; still so comforting)
My autumn playlist (defrosting as we speak—lots of Vampire Weekend, Arctic Monkeys, The 1975, Two Door Cinema Club, Cigarettes After Sex, etc.)
Wishbone – Conan Gray (such a good album start to finish, emotional, catchy, and comforting)
I’m definitely a creature of habit when it comes to music, shows, and movies… but I also love weaving in new things when I can.
I guess what I’m realizing is that even when I’m not actively creating, what I watch, read, and listen to still shapes my creative energy. It’s like fuel I didn’t know I needed.
I’d love to hear what you all are reading, listening to, and watching. Leave a comment and let’s chat about it!
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Until next time,
Bailey