Dear Diary (Issue #23)
This week’s theme is diary keeping – the ways we make memories, record our lives, and share it with others.
Hi friends!
Growing up, I worked my way through the first few pages of countless notebooks. Each started with the fresh conviction that this time I’d be consistent, and each time, I’d forget about my new diary within a few weeks max. And while my journaling habit never really stuck, I always loved the idea of a consistent place to dump my thoughts.
My mom, on the other hand, has kept many diaries throughout her life. I remember being home alone as a little kid and sneakily reading her childhood journals. It felt like having a portal to view a past version of my mom – one I’d never really met but got to know through words she’d written as a young girl.
The most consistent I’ve ever been when it comes to journaling is when I was active on Tumblr circa 2012-2015. I’d write and anonymously post my thoughts multiple times a week, documenting some of the most tumultuous moments of my late teen years. These were also the years when I first got to know and eventually fell in love with my now-husband Andrew, and no matter how cringy my writing was, I love having this time capsule of the angst-fueled heartbreak turned love story that led us together.
For today’s issue, we’re honoring the time-tested tradition of diary writing by exploring the places and spaces where we tell the stories of our lives. Enjoy!
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.
HBO: Last Call: When a Serial Killer Stalked Queer New York
This 4-part limited documentary series transports you back to 1990’s New York City, telling the story of the communities of gay men who were impacted by the looming threat of an unknown serial killer. According to the description, this limited series “dives into the deep-rooted biases of the criminal justice system and illuminates how the LGBTQ+ community fought to solve the murders and demand fair treatment of queer crime victims.” I haven’t had a chance to watch just yet, but I’ve heard it referenced as an excellent example of ethical true crime storytelling. Definitely a heavy but worthwhile watch to add to your list.
Runners World: Running with Hank by Caleb Daniloff
I started running this summer with my husband Andrew and stumbled upon this article as a result. Daniloff tells the story of his daughter, her struggles with sobriety, and how running with her dog helped him process and cope with the complicated reality of loving someone in active addiction. It’s a really beautiful piece of writing, and the story is captivating the whole way through. Check it out!
New York Times: Tubi Is Rewriting the Rules of Black Indie Movies (for Free) by Nicolas Rapold*
I’ve been a fan of Tubi for a while, so it was really cool to learn how this streaming service is funding and elevating Black stories and media. The article discusses specific examples recently released on Tubi, and I added a few of these movies to my watchlist!
This new limited series from Tenderfoot TV has quickly become one of my favorites. The story follows a young woman who disappeared from Boulder, Colorado in 2019. She left behind two dozen journals chronicling her love of the outdoors, ultimate frisbee, and a dream of becoming a nun. At 14 years old, Alana confessed to her priest that she was attracted to women and was instructed not to tell her parents. Over the next seven years, Alana covertly received conversion therapy, which her family believes played a role in her fate. Host Simon Kent Fung explores Alana's life and the parallels with his own life experiences. Simon also underwent conversion therapy for nearly a decade in his efforts to become a priest. He is compelled to uncover the truth of what really happened to Alana—and finally face what happened to him. An absolute must-listen!
Featuring someone I’m obsessed with (talking about what they’re obsessed with).
Note: Links preceded by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links that allow me to collect a small commission when you purchase something I’ve recommended. That said, I can promise that I’ll only ever share items I truly love. Buying through these links is one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
I first met Anna Houston a few years ago when my company had the amazing opportunity to photograph her wedding. Since then, I’ve followed her work and quickly become a fan of her music. A singer and songwriter, I love the way her music tells stories that are heartbreaking, relatable, and uplifting – sometimes all within the same track.
Anna began writing songs as a child and has never lost her passion for putting feelings to words. After graduating and moving from her hometown of Lansing, Michigan, she attended a university in Minneapolis and completed her degree in music. Since then, Anna has been releasing music independently, including her most recent singles, THIN SKIN, Find You (On the Internet), and Me In Your Mind. These songs truly captured her indie pop/alternative sound with universally relatable lyrics.
You can find Anna and her music on Instagram, TikTok, Spotify, and Apple Music.
Now on to Anna’s Recommendations!
Crocheting
Growing up, my mom would always be crocheting something. Usually, it was baby blankets for one of my sisters or their friends. As a lefty, I always struggled to learn “backwards,” and could never get past the first row of chain stitching. More recently, I have been able to pick it up by watching a ton of YouTube videos. I’ve made quite a few things, starting with this bag for my game dice. Some of my other favorite videos that helped me get started were this bucket hat, this crocodile stitch tutorial, and this granny square tutorial. I’m currently knitting a multicolor scarf for fall, and I’m *obsessed* with it.
Red Hot by Annika Bennet & Cognitive Dissonance by Sophie Holohan, (in that order)
I can’t pinpoint what it is about these two songs, but as soon as I get in my car, they are the first two that I play, always in the same order, always both of them. I’ve been doing this for a couple of weeks now, and I don’t even remember how I first found the songs but as an artist myself, I get super inspired by music that actually says something. These songs both do that for me and are the best vibe, especially when listened to back to back.
My husband and I love to cook from home and often come up with our own recipes. He has been talking about getting a sous vide for about 3 years, but it was always at the bottom of our list since it’s not essential for making a great meal. Recently, a close friend surprised him with one, and we have used it quite a lot since then. It makes a perfectly cooked steak, the juiciest chicken, and you have so much peace of mind knowing that your food is at a safe temperature to eat. There are tons of recipes online to help you figure out the correct temperature settings for different dishes. We love it!
Walking Pad
Hear me out. I know that we are all being marketed things all the time, and I was surely influenced to buy a walking pad for my office. My walking pad has been an amazing investment. I am so productive when I use it and have walked up to seven miles in a day while working. With the winter months coming up, I am excited not to have to give up my daily walk. The walking pad I own is out of stock and has been for months, but *here’s a similar one to try out!
Things to try + share in the group chat.
I loooved this TikTok and thought it was a great mindset shift for any partners who don’t like taking photos. I really liked the idea that we don’t all learn the value of aesthetics, especially when it comes to the way it makes people feel. As a photographer, I love taking photos and having my photo taken as a way to document special memories and record my life as it passes. I also loved how this video shifts away from the idea that wanting your photo taken is something vain and instead highlights the ways it can inspire confidence in the person whose photo you’re taking.
I’ve started listening to the podcast This is Actually Happening, and it is sooooo good!! Each episode features a different person, telling a story from their life directly from their perspective. I first listened to the episode “What if you survived a serial killer?” and was captivated the whole way through. Another episode I really enjoyed was “What if your son stabbed your daughter?,” and while the subject matter is often very heavy, the issues discussed are treated with the care and nuance they deserve. Highly recommend!
One of my favorite TikTok creators of all time is @shawnacishoeder! She shares so many great recommendations for cozy fashion and amazing books, but I especially love the ways she documents and reflects on her own life through her videos. In particular, I really appreciated this video she made about her first sober wedding and this video about having a healthy relationship with social media. Shawnaci’s content is always such a joy when it comes on my feed! You can also follow her on YouTube and Instagram.
Thanks for reading my thoughts and reflections on this fall Friday. Have a great weekend, and I’ll chat with you again on Monday!
Want to stay connected between now and next Friday? Don’t be a stranger!! Make sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok. Know someone who you think would like Sincerely, Celisia? It would mean the world if you could help spread the word by sharing this newsletter through the button below!! <3