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D.J. Liberty's avatar

emphatic YES to all of this! I also think pinterest can be so helpful for keeping track of things you like from *outside* of the app – I love using the browser extension to upload random clothing or inspo photos I find while shopping instead of clogging up my phone with screenshots, and this process has really helped me stop paying attention to the explore feed.

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emily north's avatar

oh this is GREAT- i’m going to try this.. thank you so much for reading D.J. !!!

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gigi's avatar

Whats your pinterest ? I'm always looking for mutuals

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Stüdio Stänzii's avatar

Totally with you on ditching the screenshots—there’s something so grounding about saving things intentionally instead of doom-scrolling. Love the browser extension tip too, I’m gonna try that!

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Chau's avatar

I loveee the photo gallery at the end

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emily north's avatar

thank you!!

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Therry Neilsen-Steinhardt's avatar

You are not wrong!

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Lex C.'s avatar

i love it too! one of my fave parts of emily’s substack

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Len and the Sword's avatar

I recently read a book on neuroscience, specifically about addiction and the pain and pleasure response in the brain. While addictive substances/habits (like social media) can numb the brain’s response to dopamine over time due to oversaturation, the opposite is true as well: enduring little doses of pain (boredom, discomfort, etc) actually causes a release of dopamine in response (ex. cold showers, runner’s high etc.)

That’s how I’ve been thinking of creative effort lately, a little bit of initial discomfort and exertion for the reward of a healthy and moderate dopamine release (plus the fruit of whatever creative labor, of course). Pain can be used as a tool, and certain difficulties can actually contribute to our brain health over time when we are not constantly overstimulating ourselves :)

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emily north's avatar

YEPPPPPP NEEDED TO HEAR THIS

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Stüdio Stänzii's avatar

This is so real. I volunteer as tribute to provide just the right amount of creative pain (and hopefully dopamine) over at my corner of Substack. Proceed with caution but also curiosity.

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Alison Niño's avatar

I completely agree about Pinterest! I got a subscription last year to Architectural Digest and that alone was so creatively nourishing! I think it’s good to switch things up! If anyone has any recs for good print magazines, I’d love to hear them!

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Victoria Suan's avatar

not a print magazine but I do love the book issue of Never too small, I think they have 2 out now

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Holly K's avatar

YES!!! I love watching movies by myself, but almost never do it for the exact reason you listed. And while I love the cinema and definitely want to go more, what I really want to do is stay home and stream some older movies I missed out on when they were showing, so that I can pause whenever I like and make notes.

People-watching too, I love doing that. I don't live in NYC but Brighton UK is an amazing place to see people wearing outlandish things (I wrote about that in my own newsletter a while ago).

As for online inspiration - I'm not on Pinterest but still use tumblr in 2024, because there is no algorithm! It feels like a much more natural Internet, and I follow so many fascinating unique people on there who all post their own unique collections of things. I recommend.

Thank you for writing! 🖤

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emily north's avatar

!!!! this is all so good, i’m so glad this resonated with you holly!!!! always appreciate your insights and perspective ❤️❤️❤️

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Kate Whalen's avatar

1000% yes to all of this!! Another big source of inspo for me (that is kinda similar to pinterest I guess) is my screenshot folder

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emily north's avatar

i think this is different !!! it requires more effort and cultivation on your end!! long live the screenshot folder

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brianna's avatar

the snoopy keychain photo just reminded me—i started reading your substack a couple days ago, just now finished reading every single one lmao. the fact that i was on the train today and saw someone wearing a snoopy shirt and thought of you. it’s so insane how much writing connects people, and how i have no idea who you are other than what i read in your writing but i know you like snoopy. lol. words are so crazy!!! life is crazy!!!

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emily north's avatar

brianna!! this made my day!!!!!!!!!!!! life is SOOO CRAZY !!!! thank you so much for reading it truly means the world. snoopy forever!!

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Sara Edwards's avatar

That strokes song is permanent inspiration 💗

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sadie's avatar

I want to look like the girl in reptilia fixing her hair with the room on fire

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Lex C.'s avatar

as a corporate girlie, “energetic dividends” is such a cool word haha

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emily north's avatar

❤️❤️❤️ thank you!!!

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Giulia C.'s avatar

I think I found my new favourite newsletter

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emily north's avatar

GIULIA THIS MADE MY WHOLE DAYYYYYYY thank you 🥹

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matilda's avatar

as one of the new little angels, i'm happy i found this app and that it led me to you! everthing about this was truly inspiring and i loved every second i spent with it. i also looved the pictures that inspired you in someway - what a great detail to include!

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Kenzie's avatar

This is so good; honestly, it inspires me to move to New York one day. i crave art, i feel and being from a small town as a creative can honestly be difficult. Thank you for sharing.

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diya's avatar

this is incredible! thank you for writing this, loveee all the photos <3

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cha ☆'s avatar

the extroverted introvert part is so real omg

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Rachael's avatar

I’m so intrigued by the photo of the wine bottles/dessert plates/cigarettes and want to know the story behind it.

Also: people watching!! I unfortunately don’t live in NYC but am constantly seeing people on the street who I’d love to photograph, but currently lack the courage to go up and ask their permission (I’m talking full-body-with-facial-expression-portrait-photography-on-the-street type of photographs). Maybe some day.

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emily north's avatar

it was from a valentine’s day dinner with my best friends !!! a very special night 🤍🤍

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Rachael's avatar

Oh that’s beautiful 😍

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Natalie's avatar

I just changed my pinterest widget on my phone to substack and this was the article it showed. This made me giggle in delight

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emily north's avatar

divine intervention!!

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