The vibe reset has entered the chat
As spring approaches, here are some teeny ways to pull yourself together.
Floor Time
/flôr tīm/
noun
the 15-60 minute time period spent laying on the floor in the middle of the work day, typically as a relief from the soul-sucking reality of corporate America.
Hi friends! I wanted to take a second to do a quick hello to all the new subscribers that came in over in the last few weeks (thanks to the Substack migration…plug!). This newsletter started as a place to drop my word/thought vomit that typically comes to fruition while I’m procrastinating on work and lying on the floor. And honestly, it still is! But now, more of you read it than I thought possible, and I am so thrilled about that. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Floor Time is designed to distract and waste your time in the most pointless, chaotic, and fun way possible. So welcome to the circus, folks!!!
And now back to our regularly scheduled programming. Daylight savings in the US is this weekend (#springforward), followed closely by the first day of spring on March 20. So obviously, I’m daydreaming about warmer weather and making the ~*vibe shift*~ my entire personality.
A few weeks ago, I shared a TikTok of a woman listing a handful of simple adulting tasks you can do to make yourself feel better. I heeded some of her advice, but realized that there are things in my life that I routinely do (particularly between seasons) to reset my existence and feel less like a winter goblin person. All of these are kind of florals-for-spring energy (aka, not groundbreaking), but I’m sharing them with you anyway in the hopes that adding even one of these to your to-do list will clear up space both mentally and physically.
Ways to Cosplay as a Functioning Adult
^An example of an outfit I played with this week—legit couldn’t decide if it was fire or disgusting (but think we landed on fire). Wore my denim jumpsuit that hasn’t seen the light of day since pre-panDemi Moore, with the viral Target cowboy boots that I’ve worn once(??), and my new thrifted Coach bag I am emotionally attached to.
Clean out your closet. I’m trying this new approach where I organize some pieces into the “probation” pile (name still being workshopped). These are the ones I haven’t worn in a while because they’re trickier to style. Then, I try to make a lewk with all of them to see if I actually need to purge them, or just be more creative.
Change out your loofah. I guarantee you’re overdue for it.
Read a book. And put your phone in the other room while you do it.
Deep clean your home. I mean I do this every week because I am a neat freak but I’m telling you the scent of Pine Sol is basically aromatherapy (@Pine Sol, sponsor me??). You can take that to the bank.
Wash your emotional support water bottle. Also something that I guarantee you’re overdue for.
Try cooking a new recipe. I’ve been on a kick lately with “The Veggie” section of New York Times Cooking and eating a LOT of celery dishes because of them. Not mad about it.
Go to the pile of clothes that don’t fit you right now and get them properly tailored. Whether that means taking them in or out, doing this actually changed my life.
Update your resume/portfolio/website. I try to do this every quarter but I get it, this is a pain in the butt. That said, every time I do it, I not only feel e l i t e, but the practice of it kind of acts as a gratitude moment. I am able to see my most recent achievements and take time to think about the progress I’ve made in my career.
Make a playlist to help you get through adulting tasks. Shoutout to TikTok for both of these. This week I deep cleaned to this Sims soundtrack, and repotted my plant to this early 2000s nostalgia.
Keep a plant alive. During the holidays, one of my beloved plants died because I forgot to tell literally anyone to water it while I was in California for nearly three week…oops. Just replaced the pot with a baby pothos (basically unkillable—thought I’d throw myself a softball).
Go grab yourself a treat. Whether it be a new candle, book, shirt, or coffee, having little rewards for accomplishing tasks is an amazing thing.
Something Pretty
Snow in California!!!
Something To Laugh About
This week’s content is a shift in that most of my fyp is just vibes at the moment, but including two gems for you at the bottom if you’re craving them :)
Just for vibes
Bah. I miss this. 🇭🇰
The Barbican Centre is one of my favorite spots in London. This is why.
The ocean is the closest evidence we have of real-life magic—I stand by this.
Just for lolz
It’s a toss up between this absolute banger and “The Cheese Tax” for first place earworm-of-the-week for me.
This. NUMTOTs, unite!
Happy (almost) spring! Hopefully at least one of the aforementioned small tasks gives you the reset you need as we welcome a new season.
Til’ next time, adult-y adults. Your friend,
Clarice
By the way…I’m reading this.
This week I’m starting The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd. So far it’s giving me The Goldfinch (which by the way, I never finished because once they get to Las Vegas I found it to be so. slow.) and V.E. Schwab universe vibes.
The Veggie is blushing!