10 Things We're Doing Besides Being Better Empathizers

Jan 9

That thing where your friend is going through one of life’s crappier moments and the only things you can think of to say seem inadequate at best and ham-fisted at worst? Emily McDowell’s got a card to solve for that—and, now, a book for it, too. She came on the podcast and taught us all about what empathy really means and how to do it better. 2017 goals, for sure.

P.S. Resolving to binge-listen more this year? Our whole A Few Things archive’s here.

erica’s things

Giving much consideration—and, hey, some laughs!—to the spelling of the abbreviation of casual (as in “keepin’ it…”).
Lifting an oil stain out of a silk tie with the magic of (wait for it!) cornstarch.
Stumbling upon a DIY project that feels very appropriate after a blustery few days in NYC: ice-dyeing.
Treating my iPhone to a new 2017 look and furthering my <3 <3 for Moglea in the process.
Stayin’ on top of resolutions goals with the clean, no-nonsense Strides app. Here’s to getting enough sleep—we can do this.

Making a lazy meal out of falafel chips dipped in Sohha’s Everything Bagel yogurt. If your grocer’s holding out on you, grab the topping, some plain yogurt, olive oil, and pine nuts, and make your own.
Trusting this guy and this guy only with framing all of my late grandmother’s paintings.
Double-tapping my way through Joana Avillez’s so-spot-on #goldenageofinstagram series.
Pinching pots (or something that vaguely resembles them, anyway) at La Mano Pottery in NYC—it’s got a laid-back vibe and warm, patient teachers.
Living for R. Eric Thomas’s hilarious, cathartic writing, especially in these trying, post-Mariah-meltdown times.

Feeling extra-grateful for these guys while trudging through this weekend’s snowy sidewalks.