The Old Celisia Can't Come to the Phone (Issue #2)
This week’s theme is identity - who we are, who we aren’t, and who we’re trying to be.
Hi friends!
Welcome to week two of Sincerely, Celisia. I’ve absolutely LOVED seeing all your reactions to my first newsletter last week, and your support + care for me is felt.
Shifting into the Sincerely, Celisia brand identity has been really cool. Obviously, it’s still me, but this is the first time I’m running something that feels like a holistic version of myself. Not Celisia Stanton Photography, racial justice education on Instagram, not Truer Crime - just me and my interests. Obviously, all of those projects are still pieces of me, but you get what I’m saying, right? I’ve loved exploring this new identity so far, and look forward to a long future as “Sincerely, Celisia”.
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.
The Cut: Life Is Easier With a Fake Assistant by Ella Quittner
If you want to get more from a request, make sure your “personal assistant” is doing the asking. This trend, encouraging people to create fake personal assistants to manage everything from client calls to dinner reservations, seems to have some real merit to it. Quittner investigates this phenomenon, both through her own fake personal assistant, as well as the stories of others who’ve employed this trick in their own life. Ultimately, this seems to me as a perfect example of how that access is sometimes less about who we are and more about who people perceive us to be.
New York Times: Would You Date a Podcast Bro by Gina Cherelus*
Cherelus explores various hidden signals folks use to tell if a space is safe, centering around an argument that “podcat bros” are not the type of guy women want to be around. That said, as someone who works in audio, I sometimes feel like the discourse around male podcasters gives a lot of space to the alpha-bro podcasters of the world, overlooking and ignoring the truly positive nuanced, meaningful work being done in this medium. I think the article is part of an important conversation, and definitely worth a read.
The Atlantic: The Puzzling Gap Between How Old You Are And How Old You Think You Are by Jennifer Senior
This article boils down to one key fact: “Adults over 40 perceive themselves to be, on average, about 20 percent younger than their actual age.” Senior examines the research and reasons why our self-identity seems to often contradict our biological age.
BuzzfeedVideo Series: I Accidentally Became a Meme
This video series is a fascinating exploration of the real people behind the meme formats that have permeated internet culture. Each video interviews the actual meme subject, telling the story behind now-iconic photographs, and examining how becoming a meme impacted their lives. I especially liked the videos examining the memes I knew when I was in high school, with highlights including “Bad Luck Brian” and “Overly Attached Girlfriend.”
A reflection + action for your week. Compete on your own or with friends – I dare ya.
Truth
What is something about who you are today that would make 7-year-old you really happy? What is something about who you are today that would have 7-year-old you SHOCKED?
Dare
Think of somebody who you’re not. Could be someone with a certain aesthetic, a certain career, or even a fictional character! Go to your closet and pick out an outfit this person would choose (the more the outfit veers from your normal style, the better). Wear this outfit next time you’re running errands or hanging out with friends. Bonus: Take a picture and share it on Instagram! Tag @celisiastanton so I can see your creations!
I decided to take advantage of my wedding hair + makeup trial by doing this week’s dare myself! I bought this dress recently and it’s definitely not something I’d typically pick for myself. While I love the cut and style of the dress, I usually don’t gravitate towards bold colors + patterns. But I gotta admit have loved experimenting with these fun pops of color! I decided to pretend I was a character in The White Lotus, which is also the perfect energy for my upcoming honeymoon in Italy! How do you think I did?
Things to try + share in the group chat.
Note: Links preceded by an asterisk (*) are affiliate links that allow me 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 are one way to support me and my small biz. ❤️
When I went to the Taylor Swift concert in Arizona in March, I based my “Reputation”-themed outfit around the Medusa Bodysuit from Thistle and Spire. Since posting my outfit reveal on Instagram, I’ve received a ton of DM’s from folks saying they’d been eyeing the same bodysuit and my post convinced them to finally buy it!! Didn’t realize this bodysuit had such a cult following, but I will be honest it IS worth the hype. While the bodysuit might not work for everyone, Thistle and Spire offers the suit in 4 different shades of nude, and sizes range from XS to 3X. Check it out!
I love following @melhwang on Instagram for her posing guide videos!! Even as a photographer who prompts + poses people for a living, I still find myself freezing up when trying to snap the perfect shot for my own Instagram. I especially love Mel’s Ultimate Casual Posing Guide video for a bunch of solo poses to whip out next time I hand Andrew my phone and order him to capture me in my date night best. Mel also has a ton of outfit ideas, and couples posing videos that could be easily adapted to photos with friends and other family members!
I listened to Jessica Simpson’s memoir *Open Book last year, and it truly shines a light on how a person’s identity shifts throughout a lifetime, while also highlighting the many ways we tend to stay the same. I also love a memoir that is a true window into the life of a celebrity, because so often what we see on the outside is such a fragmented picture of what’s really going on. The book is a page-turner that will have you rooting for Jessica throughout this captivating and heartfelt retelling of her life.
Thanks for reading, supporting, and just generally letting me be me. I hope you have a great weekend, full of people who let you be you.
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