Asking More of the 9-5 (Issue #3)
This week’s theme is work - how we work, where we work, and how it shapes our daily lives.
Hi friends!
I hope this edition of Sincerely, Celisia finds you easing your way into a restful weekend! Things have been incredibly busy in my world as I am officially four weeks away from getting married!!!! As a detail-oriented person, I feel like there are all these new, small to-dos hiding in my brain that just keep piling up. Luckily, these items have all finally made their way onto a physical list, and Andrew has promised to make wedding planning his "full-time job" once he is done with school at the end of next week (a rare teacher perk!!).
Andrew and I also took our engagement photos on Monday, which was a really nice pause among the chaos of wedding planning and the end of a full school year for Andrew. We had the session at the University of Minnesota, the place where we first started dating and cemented some of our earliest memories together as a couple. It was a real treat to reflect on the meaning of various landmarks around campus, and we had so much fun!!
When picking this week’s theme, I spent some time reflecting on work. In progressive circles, I see a lot of discourse about the negative side of work: hustle culture, toxic work dynamics, the need for rest (The Nap Ministry has some incredible work related to this!!), the “inherent” exploitation at the hands of employers, etc, etc. While I agree with and have struggled with all of these things throughout my life, I also believe that work has the ability to be a sustainable and fulfilling part of our lives. I have the privilege of doing work I love, that is meaningful and aligned with my values and interests, and honestly I can’t imagine my life without that driving force. I truly believe that as humans we innately want to create, pursue passions, build, communicate, and ultimately work with and for each other. The problem comes when work is designed to be unbalanced, exploitative, and unsustainable.
I love to imagine a world where “work” didn’t feel so loaded. A world where each of us knew our basic needs would be provided for, and instead we could focus on pursuing the things that naturally light us up. I wonder if it’s not that we’re lazy, or that “nobody wants to work anymore,” but rather that work has become so entwined with our day-to-day survival, that we struggle to see it outside of the barrier it poses to living a full and meaningful life. We’re not there as a culture and society yet, but in my life, I hope to build toward a new reality where work is more than just a burden to bear.
A quick ask before we dive in…
Spoiler alert! Next week’s theme is ~summer~ and I’m planning to include a bucket list of summer activities to carry you through the coming months. And I’d love to hear from you! Reply to this email (if you’ve subscribed) or comment down below (if you’re reading on Substack) with your best summer bucket list ideas. The more unique, creative, and adventurous, the better. Can’t wait to see what you come up with!
A round-up of things to watch, read, and listen to as you head into the weekend
*Indicates a gift link. I know how frustrating paywalls are! When possible, I’ll try to offer gift links through my subscriptions to support access to high-quality journalism.
New York Times: What Does Workplace TikTok Look Like During Layoffs? It Gets Weird. by Lora Kelley*
In this piece, Kelley examines “workplace TikTok” – a community of TikTok creators who flex their corporate lifestyles, highlighting the benefits of working at luxury tech and finance jobs. Especially compelling is how the environment is shifting as layoffs mount. Now those glamorous day-in-the-life videos have taken a darker turn. It made me think a lot about how we romanticize work and the pitfalls of this mindset.
The Atlantic: The Hidden Link Between Workaholism and Mental Health by Arthur C. Brooks
Research shows that immersing yourself in work can ease symptoms of depression and anxiety, but often not without creating entirely separate issues. It all seems pretty cyclic, and this article was an excellent investigation into the relationship between work and our mental health.
The Washington Post: A four-day workweek pilot was so successful most firms say they won’t go back by Annabelle Timsit*
What happens when you lose a workday? According to reports, for 15 percent of participants, “no amount of money’ would convince them to go back to working five days a week.” Not only did employees greatly enjoy the new setup, but company revenue was also positively impacted. Definitely worth a read, and I’m interested to see how our work lives shift as more research rolls in.
Call Her Daddy Podcast: John Legend: Addressing the Rumors
Now an international superstar, music was actually John Legend’s second career. Only 16 when he entered college, John Legend worked at Boston Consulting Group before fully making the switch to being a renowned musician. A fun look behind the Hollywood curtain!
Featuring someone I’m obsessed with (talking about what they’re obsessed with).
With work being today’s theme it feels entirely fitting to feature my real-life virtual assistant, Lily! I’ve been working with Lily since 2020, and she’s become a critical part of the daily operation of my photography business. She does it all: from managing my email inbox to organizing my client projects from initial inquiry through day-of coordination. Lily is a god-send for business owners like me!! Lily also offers VIP weeks, which were created to help entrepreneurs make progress toward big goals. Through a targeted week, Lily helps business owners get a start on projects related to client management, project management, systems creation, and content generation. Lily also offers great freebies like, “5 ways to organize your business now (and save time!)”.
And now onto Lily’s obsessions…
Running - I started running about 5 years ago as a way to 'get fit,' but soon discovered that it makes me feel so much happier and healthier. I love the positive challenge that helps me see what I’m capable of physically and mentally. My favorite running app is Strava, which tracks all my runs! (I see it as social media for runners, haha!). I’m a big fan of Brooks shoes, and I’ve picked up the Ghost model several times over the last few years. And if you’re looking for the perfect watch, I recommend the Garmin 245 Music! It has GPS, the ability to add custom training plans, and you can even download your favorite tunes.
Looking for my next trip! - Looking for my next trip! - I love traveling and making memories with my husband. We always look forward to our next trip! Planning, going on the trip, and reminiscing before doing it all over again is truly the best. We’re always searching for the best deals and love using Expedia and Google Travel for planning.
Daisy Jones + The Six - I loved this mini-series! It’s available on Amazon, and is based on the bestselling novel of the same name by Taylor Jenkins Reid! The story, set in Los Angeles, follows the rise and fall of a fictional 1970s rock band with a special focus on their lead singer, Daisy Jones. The show explores a variety of themes, including creativity, addiction, relationships, and the challenges of fame. I also loved the album Aurora, which they created for the show, and have been listening to it non-stop. You can check out the trailer here!
The last splurge I don’t regret - I wanted to up my skincare routine, so I used this article as my guide. I’ve bought a variety of products, and I’ve loved them so far! I’ve also loved intentionally taking this time for myself each day, which is really the added benefit of a skincare routine!
ClickUp - I use this every single day, it’s a great tool! I use Click Up for everything — it’s where I map goals, plan content, prepare projects, store resources, and organize all the work I have to do for clients!
Things to try + share in the group chat.
I love this interactive money milestones tool from Michelle Singletary*. Just select a decade and it will customize financial considerations and advice for your chosen age group. It’s a charming, practical guide that’s the perfect start for anyone looking to be more proactive with their finances.
How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by KC Davis LPC is the kind of book I feel like I’ve been waiting for my whole life. Davis’ philosophy centers around the following “You don’t work for your home; your home works for you.” Her approach is shame-free and empowering, and I can’t wait to integrate her advice into my own busy life. And if you’re looking for tips to help get started right away, you can also give her a follow on TikTok here.
This Roasted Tomato Soup with Crispy Gruyere Toast recipe is the perfect workweek lunch. Pair it with a grilled cheese or enjoy it on its own, this soup is easily microwaveable which is ideal for a day at the office The recipe seems elaborate at first glance but is actually quite simple and delicious.
And that concludes this Friday’s round-up! Whether you are working this weekend or not, I hope you get plenty of time for rest and whatever else it is that fills your cup. Til next week!
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