TODAY I WILL:  

Trust that resting is also doing.

Between beauty industry truths and pop culture loops, today’s chat is giving retro with a reality check.

• Does the 2016 trend represent nostalgia or something deeper?

• Protein stacking has gotten cheesy.

• Family estrangement is in the spotlight.

• We can’t wait to see this ‘90s reboot.

• A new novel examines transparency in the beauty industry.

Checking In. 

We’re nearly a month into 2026 (time flies!) and it’s time to check in on our resolutions. Here are some questions you can ask yourself at the end of every month to get you back on track or to re-prioritize what you want to focus on. We especially like these as journal prompts that you can revisit throughout the year. 

What were my New Year’s Resolutions?

Are these still important to me? 

If not, what has taken their place? How can I redirect that energy toward achieving these new goals?

If yes, what progress have I made toward achieving those goals? 

Is there anything I’ve done this month in pursuit of this goal that made a positive impact on my life? Is there anything I’ve done this month in pursuit of this goal that has made a negative impact in my life?

Taking the answers above, what is my goal for next month (fitting into a larger resolution) and how will I work to achieve it?

Our Sit-Down-and-Watch Era

After years of doomscrolling and blink-and-you-miss-it videos, people are quietly opting out. The new status move? Settling in. Long-form content is having a moment again, driven by collective short-form fatigue and a craving for media that doesn’t demand constant reacting.

Short-Form Burnout Is Real: Snackable content used to feel effortless. Now it feels loud. Between algorithm whiplash and the pressure to keep up, viewers are hitting a wall. Instead of bouncing between clips, many are choosing one thing and sticking with it, whether that’s a 90-minute comfort movie, a full podcast episode, or an hour-long deep dive on YouTube. The shift is less about productivity and more about relief. No constant swiping, no decision fatigue, no FOMO.

Comfort Rewatches > New Everything: Rewatch culture is thriving. Familiar shows and movies offer predictability in a very unpredictable world, and there’s something soothing about knowing exactly what’s going to happen next. It’s background-friendly, emotionally low-stakes, and easy to dip in and out of while cooking, folding laundry, or just decompressing. Long episodes and movies are becoming the modern version of white noise, only cozier.

Slow TV, But Make It Intentional: Long-form watching also fits into a bigger cultural shift toward slower living. Think extended nature footage, “day in my life” vlogs with zero plot twists, or multi-hour videos where nothing dramatic really happens. These formats invite viewers to sit still rather than constantly engage. In contrast to the hyper-paced world of TikTok, they feel grounded and oddly luxurious.

Bookmark this. 

Want to level up your culture knowledge? Get a behind-the-scenes look at iconic moments and get every reference? These are the books we see sharp, curious, culture-loving readers reaching for—the ones that expand your worldview, spark fresh perspectives, and leave you quoting them in group chats and gallery openings alike.

For the Culture Keepers & Scene Historians

Night People: How to Be a DJ in '90s New York City by Mark Ronson

A visual time capsule of downtown NYC’s golden era. These stories capture the nightlife, style, and sounds that shaped a cultural movement. 

You Had to Be There: An Odyssey Through Noughties London, One Night at a Time by Jodie Harsh 

A glitter-soaked trip through London’s 2000s nightlife. DJ and icon Jodie Harsh relives the chaos, creativity, and club kids that defined a generation—with cameos, couture, and cultural commentary to match.

Go Ahead in the Rain by Hanif Abdurraqib

Part memoir, part music history, part poetic tribute. Hanif Abdurraqib reflects on A Tribe Called Quest’s impact—with heart, depth, and deep-cut knowledge that hits like a perfect sample.

For the Indie Icons & Creative Free Spirits

Wild West Village: Not a Memoir—Unless I Win an Oscar, Die Tragically, or Score a Country #1 by Lola Kirke 

A sharp, self-aware collection from Lola Kirke that reads like a backstage pass to her brain. It’s essays, observations, and side-eyes on art, fame, womanhood, and figuring it all out—with just the right dose of chaos.

Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk by Kathleen Hanna

Riot grrrl royalty. Kathleen Hanna gets loud (and real) about music, activism, art, and identity in this raw, electric memoir. It’s punk history with a personal pulse—and a must for anyone who’s ever turned up the volume to find their voice.

For the Legends, Icons & Women Who Changed the Game

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
Britney reclaims her story in this intimate, emotional memoir that pulls back the curtain on fame, freedom, and finding herself again. Vulnerable, powerful, and long overdue.

Cher: The Memoir (Part 1) by Cher
Six decades of being that girl. Cher’s memoir delivers all the glam, grit, and reinvention—told in her own voice, with legendary one-liners and no regrets. 

The Light We Carry by Michelle Obama

Part pep talk, part personal essay, this follow-up to Becoming offers grounded advice and soulful reflections on navigating uncertainty, staying hopeful, and leading with light.

Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling

Essays on work, confidence, glam squads, and growing into your power—served with Mindy’s signature wit that makes you feel like you’re catching up with a friend. 

For the Truth Tellers & Narrative Shapers

The Vanity Fair Diaries by Tina Brown