mind trinkets #2: crafting, country media, manifesting gripes, & more
all the little things that've caught my mind's eye recently
Hello again, friends! I’m back with another segment of my series Mind Trinkets, which is all about all of my recent obsessions! As per usual, I have plenty to share with you and I’m so excited to babble about all of it! So, let’s get right to it!
current obsessions
Ransom Canyon (Netflix)
Who knew that what I needed in my life was some good ol’ western romance? Certainly not I, that’s for sure! And yet I did need a good dose of it—and, thankfully, I found it in Netflix’s new drama series that’s set in modern day Texas Hill Country, Ransom Canyon!! Did I mention the series stars Minka Kelly and Josh Duhamel? Cause it does! I managed to binge the entirety of the first season (which is the only season currently available) in three days and it really does just hit the spot.
Lately I’ve been loving the YouTube channel Bonnie Barton! Bonnie’s content is so aesthetic and cozy and comforting—watching is like having a cozy day with a friend! She often makes vlogs focusing on cozy activities and crafts, and—akdjfhkdjsh!!!—I just love them!!!! Definitely check her channel out if you’re in need of a new comfort creator!
Another YouTuber whose content I’ve been loving lately is Sydney Graham! Honestly, Sydney is quickly becoming another comfort creator for me. She makes vlogs largely on her life and her days sewing and creating sewing patterns, as well as throwing in some video tutorials for sewing beginners. Somehow, her videos manage to seem both aesthetic and authentic—I love learning more about sewing from her and watching her create new clothing pieces!
Avie Sheck’s Collabs with His Mom
I discovered Avie Sheck through his Instagram reel where he shared a clip of him (a pop musician) and his mom (who trained in classical Indian singing) covering Radiohead’s “Creep,” merging it with classical Indian singing. Friends, when I tell you that you need to hear this cover, that it is so beautiful…Just go listen and thank me later!
“When I Die (Ol’ Carolina)” by August Riley Greenwood
This beautiful Southern folk/bluegrass song about the trans experience which is written and performed by trans musician August Riley Greenwood brings me to the brink of tears each time I hear it. Not only is it a beautifully written, sung, and performed, but it also is clear how much heart and life August put into it.
The Giver” by Chappell Roan
I’m not usually one for country music, but Chappell Roan’s new pop/country single, “The Giver” totally blew past all of my preconceived notions and got me up and singing along!
what’s got me thinking recently
“the constant grift of manifestation” by elle literacy
I’ve been a hater of the whole manifestation “movement” for years now, largely because as someone with a chronic (i.e. incurable) illness, generalized anxiety disorder, and clinical depression, I recognize that there are many material realities I deal with that cannot be “manifested” away. I’m not saying that in general positive thinking can’t be helpful, but it often takes lots of hard work to overcome the “obstacles” in your life (if they can even be overcome at all). It also always seemed to me like manifestation was a good way of blaming the marginalized for our society’s treatment of them. Poor? “You’re just not manifesting right!” Experiencing racism? “You manifested that situation by putting negative vibes out into the universe!” Have a disability, chronic illness, or mental health disorder? “You don’t need adequate medical treatment and health care—you can just manifest yourself into good health!” Manifestation can turn cruel so quickly. That’s not to mention the negative effects that telling someone with OCD or an anxiety disorder that “you attract what you believe!” has. Anyhoo, Elle addresses pretty much all of my issues with manifestation (in a much more extensive, well-researched, competent, and cohesive manner) in her video essay brilliantly!
song of the day
Listen to the entire playlist for the Life in Technicolor newsletter here.
I love Bonnie's videos too! Her videos are so pretty yet comforting to watch! I'll have to give Sydney's videos a watch. I've been really into sewing lately.