Hi friends,
I can’t believe it’s December! To start the month, I have two pieces of news to share with you.
First, I’m teaching Journaling for Joy again!1 If you want to infuse joy and fun into your new or long-time journaling practice, this workshop is for you.
I hope you’ll join me for the online workshop on Sunday, December 11.
Second, I’m having fun with fitness!
When the pandemic began, I quit going to CrossFit. I didn’t want to get COIVD-19 or unknowingly spread the virus at the gym. I didn’t give up on working out during the pandemic, though. Since 2020, I’ve tried a variety of workout programs. It’s been good for me to change my routine. I love moving my body and learning new skills. For example, I learned cool jump rope tricks and improved my strokes in the pool. Swimming is fun!
However, swimming is sidelined for now because I’m following my dermatologist’s guidance. He said I shouldn’t swim in the direct sun because my risk of getting melanoma, again, is too high. Technically, I could swim before the sun rises. I’ve done that before, but swimming at 5 a.m. isn’t as much fun as it sounds.
I’m all about fun, so I decided to start lifting weights again with Coach Mykala. Mykala was the first CrossFit coach I worked with. I loved working out at Mykala’s gym! I was sad to leave the community, but we moved away for a work opportunity.
I’m glad Mykala is offering programs online. Doing her online programs again has been FUN and HARD. Each workout comes with detailed instructions and videos that I can do at home. The flu made me feel weak and out of shape, so I’m excited to rebuild my strength.
I messaged Mykala to ask for her website link because I wanted to include it in my link round-up. I was surprised when Mykala offered to give you all a discount on her programs. I thought that was generous!
Here are the details: You can buy any product on Mykala’s website for a 50% discount. Use the code JOY2022. The code is valid until December 31, 2022.
Please note, I’m not affiliated with Mykala’s business. I’m sharing this info because fitness is fun, and Mykala is a great coach! I bought Mykala’s programs (Butts & Guts and The Upper Body Program) at full price prior to this discount offer.
GOOD LINKS
Here’s what I enjoyed reading and listening to recently:
1.) Inciting Joy by Ross Gay is a brilliant, beautiful, and intimate collection of essays. Here's part of the book's description:
“ … In an era when divisive voices take up so much airspace, Inciting Joy offers a vital alternative: What might be possible if we turn our attention to what brings us together, to what we love? Taking a clear-eyed look at injustice, political polarization, and the destruction of the natural world, Gay shows us how we might resist, how the study of joy might lead us to a wild, unpredictable, transgressive, and unboundaried solidarity. In fact, it just might help us survive.”
2.) One True Loves by Taylor Jenkins Reid was an epic love story. I read the novel in a few days. Also, I started reading Reid’s latest novel — Carrie Soto Is Back. I didn’t think that I would enjoy a story about tennis so much! I’m trying to savor the novel, instead of devouring it in a few days.
3.) Ageless Vegan by Tracye and Mary McQuirter is a wonderful cookbook. My favorite recipe in the book: Vegetable Pot Pie. Last weekend, I made the pot pie, and it was delicious and savory! Like me, the pot pie wasn’t 100 percent vegan. I made my pie crusts with butter.
4.) I love the podcast “Maintenance Phase” because the hosts debunk and fact-check claims in the wellness industry and beyond. It’s informative, educational, and the hosts make me laugh. Logan and I listened to some of the episodes on a recent road trip. A few of our favorite shows included: The Food Pyramid, The Trouble with Calories, and Calorie Menu Labeling.
5.) A helpful article by Rachel Fairbank: “How Simple Exercises May Save Your Lower Back.”
LET’S CHAT
What's brought joy into your life lately? I’d love to hear from you in the comments section.
THANK YOU!
Letters from Tammy Strobel is a free weekly newsletter about creativity and curiosity, funded through Buy Me a Coffee.
A big thanks goes to: Sarah and Debbie for supporting this project through Buy Me a Coffee.
Thanks for being here!
FOOTNOTES
A few weeks ago, I taught Journaling for Joy for Simplicity Space members. It was a fun experience, so I decided to offer the workshop to non-members.
If you want to learn about my journaling routine and tools, read “Let’s Talk Journals.”
I'm interested in the workshop but I'll have to double check the timezones