the promise of spring

2024: a Play in 12 Acts

It’s the third month of the year. You’ve cleansed your space in January, had the spirit of love infect your February, and now you’re ready for something more. If you’re anything like me you’re looking to add some art! When I did my 12 acts last year I arbitrarily set March as my month for creative practice, but it really is the perfect place to put it. The beginning of spring is a highly inspirational time. It teases just enough warmth to keep you motivated, but just enough rain to keep you indoors and working. This is a time when I hope to grow in my various mediums, take some classes, and most definitely listen to Art Garfunkel’s version of Waters of March.

March: Creativity

blooming where you’re planted, sharpening your edges, making things up

• Call yourself an artist and believe it

• Take a class in something you’ve never tried before

• Decorate a corner of your home that needs some extra attention

• Delight in the process of making for the sake of making

• Illustrate your dreams in a dream journal

✿ Go offline in your creative pursuits. It’s a great excuse to give your eyes a rest from the blue light.

✿ Entertain your inner child. Take the seriousness out of the process and don’t apply too much pressure. Any sort of expression will do!

✿ Start writing longer pieces online. I know a lot of people in our little community have Substacks of their own— I encourage you to put more of yourself out there!

This February I was able to clear a lot of noise that was in my head. I’ve become even more insufferable with my notes app musings (part of this post spawned in that lovely app) and I’ve been writing down my dreams. An artist I admire, Katie Benn, does a mesmerizing job at deciphering the dream world through her art. I feel like the people that show up in my dreams often have to tell me something— is it a spiritual message from the beyond? Is it my subconscious reminding me of my grocery list? Either way I want to listen closer.

I’ve been very pleased with my expression online lately. I have an intense need not to curate my life on social media, but to preserve it. I hate when I move through life too quickly for the good things to be examined. There are so many tiny joys that make up the day, and I’m lucky this project has helped me hold a magnifying glass to a few of them. This is my long way of saying I love being terminally online and putting my thoughts out to all of you. More connection, more creation, and more looking on in wonder in March please.

⊹₊ february favorites ₊ ⊹

If you need a laugh or to be schooled on the ancient practice of straight culture you need to listen to Straightiolab. I am a long time listener who recently became a Patreon subscriber (it is worth $5 a month!) and I’ve never been jollier. If you’re in New York or LA you may get to see Sam Taggart and George Civeris live, but they tour the country sometimes too.

If you’re a fan of getting a little drink as a treat you will appreciate my next favorite: green juice. Specifically the green juice from my local grocer which is a delicious mix of kale, apple, and ginger. I’ve been experimenting with recess more too. The sleepy girl mocktail trend had me feeling like a sleepy (and lazy) girl so I’ve opted for these ready made magnesium drinks. I take my little magnesium pill with a can after dinner and I promise it just about knocks me out PLUS the cans are cute.

One of my goals for February was to say yes to every social invitation and I’m extremely happy with the results. I stayed out until 5 in the morning dancing with friends, had the time of my life at The Bell House seeing my favorite Brooklyn alt comedians like George Civeris (I told you I was obsessed with Straightiolab), and even went to my first figure drawing class at Happy Medium.

I read a few books this month that really captivated me. If you’re looking for a coming of age story to break your heart but also give you hope for the future, you must add Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart to your reading list. I fell in love with this character so deeply I found myself worrying about leaving him unattended whenever I was away from the book. I also highly recommend Sigrid Nunez’s The Friend. This book is one of those ‘writers on writing’ types that covers the expanse of grief so succinctly. I never annotate books but I want to go back with a pen there are so many beautiful moments to underline.

Have I been the perfect romantic lead? I think so. I have applied perfume. I got a lash lift and bought a floral dress that makes my boobs look good. I have approached men in bars and teased them in a way that’s winning and connects my character to the audience. Best of all I’ve been growing more and more confident in my creative efforts. Part of that is feeling like the main character because I’m doodling in a bar in The West Village, but a really big part of it has been all your comments and restacks with keepsake. I’m so thankful for this little community we’re building, and I can’t wait for us to attack March together.

xo,

Julianna