Our Inner Child, Creative Advice, Jamu, and A Motto To Live By

Here are 10 finds that I thought might trigger your curiosity:

I.

A wonderful quote I’ve come across this month:

“What makes life worth living? No child asks itself that question. To children life is self-evident. Life goes without saying: whether it is good or bad makes no difference. This is because children don’t see the world, don’t observe the world, don’t contemplate the world, but are so deeply immersed in the world that they don’t distinguish between it and their own selves.”

– Karl Ove Knausgaard. Source: ​Autumn (Seasons Quartet)

II.

I love to visit theatres when I’m in another country, and see how the local audiences react — it’s always so different and cool. While the ritual of watching movies is the same across the globe—people gather in a dark room, velvet curtains rise, reels of flickering celluloid, and people start to focus on the screen together, the reactions from audiences’ can vary wildly. In this dark, immersive environment movie lovers are able to escape their daily lives, even if it’s only for a moment, and the nuances lost or gained in translation makes each viewing experience uniquely their own. One of the greatest movies I’ve seen this year is Poor Things, which I watched in Amsterdam. This best picture nomination is both funny and absurd, but exciting to watch. A must-see!

III.

Words are easy, but actions require real investment and commitment. I recently answered this interesting reader question about whether I have a guiding motto or principle I live by. Let me know yours in the comments.

IV.

When I think of the holidays, two things always come to mind: drinking ice cold rosé with friends at an outdoor café —and, of course, summer music. I’ve listed a summer Spotify playlist for you to listen to. Enjoy.

V.

One of the things I love most about reading is getting completely lost in a story. A pleasing sentence offers a poignant image in the reader’s mind; it stirs emotions, draws connections we hadn’t thought of, or triggers a raised eyebrow. Read on for the latest edition I exclusively wrote for The Decoded: Memorable Words.

VI.

Most of us would love to turn their passion into their main source of income. But how, exactly, do we find and then live our passion? Y-Combinator founder Paul Graham wrote a longform article about it in 2006, called How to Do What You Love. It’s brilliant, especially because it comes from someone who has already contemplated the art of making your life’s calling a living.

VII.

During my 2023 trip to Indonesia, I found a hidden gem—Jamu. This traditional herbal health elixer, made from turmeric, ginger, and tamarind, is not only very delicious but it is supposed to do wonders for your health too, boosting your immunity and energy. I’ve attached a video sharing more about the tradition. Check it out!

VIII.

One of the latest book reviews I received from a reader:

“This [Tell me who I am] is an intriguing coming-of-age story, that reads like a psychological thriller. I have to say that I loved the book more than the documentary, but the story is either way very upsetting yet beautiful. I admire their courage of putting out a story that’s so deeply personal.” — by Melinda.

— 4 out of 5 stars

IX.

The message of my latest book recommendation is quite clear: Write about your dreams, your memories, your fleeting observations, and all the other things you notice. Share what you find beautiful with honest, quiet sincerity, and use things around you to express yourself — even if it doesn’t seem valid. Letters to a young poet is the ultimate bundle of advice every creative needs. Read my thoughts on this book in my review.

X.

If you’re looking for thought-provoking reads, I recommend diving into my reading list from this year. This is an ongoing list of hand-picked book recommendations for 2024, and I’ll update it throughout the year. Let me know if you pick any up — I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Thanks for reading. The Tiny Bits Newsletter is a handwritten, personal gift from me to you. Seek out more valuable ideas by signing up to my email newsletter. Get your monthly dose of wisdom you can read in 3 minutes.

Lisanne

“Self” for the exhibition “See them look!” Stadsmuseum Woerden, The Netherlands, 2017, acrylic on linen, 50 x 50 cm, by Neel Korteweg.