Gratitude · Jodythinks · Love/Life

39.

I could be freaking out right now, or really sad, but really, I’m going to try and lean into the It is what it is way of thinking. My impatience, my temper, my overthinking, are all sabotaging just enjoying the moments. Clear spots of light in dark days when you don’t feel like getting up, when things feel too heavy to lift.

I have people around me that love me and show up for me and there are people out there that can’t say the same. When I was 25 and was a little more naive, I wrote in here that I wanted to spend all my birthdays henceforth in front of the beach, and I have spent a lot of birthdays since smelling salty air, sand between my toes. But I’ve spent them with friends in amazing cities too, and have had some epic adventures that I didn’t expect to have.

So I guess I’m approaching this year with a bit of recalibrated expectations. Not of Everest or grand gestures, but moments that count long term. Real ones that fold into a day to day that are meaningful. And I’m hoping I can show up for the people that I love in the same way. Even when my basest instincts are screaming into my head to just retreat in exhaustion.

But for now, let me listen to The Cardigans in peace.

Jodythinks · Songs to listen to

I think you should listen to Freya Riding’s Castles today

I spent the weekend painting my space pink. I couldn’t find a moody color that would go with a blush pink bed frame (it was on sale OKAY).

You learnt my love, you hit the target
You get that rush, and then you walk out the door
You kept me small, it’s what you wanted
I never noticed

I would apologize to the neighbors for the really bad headset singing but they smoke so.

You can listen to the song HERE.

How are you feeling? -J

Jodythinks · Songs to listen to

I think you should listen to The Weepies’s World Spins Madly On

All my adult life, I’ve been the person my parents raised me to be. Obedient. Respectful. Following a path I’ve been conditioned to pursue. But what if I’ve missed living while I was chasing the life I was supposed to be on?

I let the day go by
I always say goodbye
I watch the stars from my window sill
The whole world is moving
And I’m standing still

You can listen to the HERE, while I go think about my life choices with my birthday coming up.

Jodythinks · Songs to listen to

I think you should listen to Taylor Swift (and Florence and the Machine)’s Florida today

I’m going to tell you a secret. I do a lot of self regulation on a regular basis. I’m impatient. Intense. Driven. Short tempered. There is no universe where I fully relax. I don’t sleep for more than 4 hours at a time. My brain is both exhausted and unable to switch to screensaver mode.

That’s why something is always in the background where I am. The same 8 tv shows. Anthony Bourdain speaking. Otherwise, there is an overflow of thoughts that are rarely productive or helpful. I am actively working on it but it’s still in progress.

Then there’s music. I have a playlist for most things. Right now I like yell-y things. One of these songs is Taylor Swift’s Florida.

Well, me and my ghosts, we had a hell of a time
Yes, I’m haunted but I’m feeling just fine
All my girls got their lace and their crimes

I will sing it in between meetings, in the car, in the shower. It’s just so damn satisfying. -J

Jodythinks · Songs to listen to

I think you should listen to Jennie (and Dua Lipa)’s Handlebars today

Please don’t ask me how I’m doing, I don’t have good news.

Why is it love is never kind to me?
I heard that fools rush in, and, yeah, that’s me
It burns me time and time again
So why am I still fixing for this frying pan?

I feel like I need to hit myself with a frying pan sometimes. -J

You can listen to Handlebars HERE

Jodythinks · Songs to listen to

I think you should listen to Fred Again’s Me (Heavy) today

The thing about having a television at home now — I spend much more time lying down letting time pass by. Today I watched Fred Again’s Tiny Desk concert. I’ve heard several of this man’s songs since being introduced to his work in 2023 and regularly use it to get blood pumping when I need an energy boost. I realize now I listen to more of his fast, bass heavy tunes. So when I heard Me (Heavy) today, I had to just pause my running brain and listen to him sing.

Do you feel like talkin’?
I feel like bein’ open
I feel my thoughts run around each evening
But I’m glad I’m feelin’
I wanna run in there and steal you out
Unplug the wires and kiss your mouth
You don’t need another whiteboard evening
But I need you breathin’

You can listen to the song HERE or the whole tiny desk concert HERE

Jodythinks

I think you should listen to Angie McMahon’s Making it Through today

So maybe I’m leaning in to the quiet and my speakers are working overtime (so is my brain but that’s to be expected). As I keep learning though, the sad songs are the one that speak to me the most, and with lyrics like:

I froze like the whole world was ending
Exposed, holding my own panic, pretending
And I know now that we needed the ending
You were never gonna stay
Just making it through is okay

You can listen to this song HERE

I’ve made it through so far. -J