Little Thoughts || They call me Johan

I went into March with a different mindset.

Changing dynamics left me feeling somewhat confused, and struggling with concepts I couldn’t reconcile. But I also needed to live a life, after having somewhat forgotten about my own well-being for months. So, I made changes and I’m sticking to them!

But March was a happier month, and in part because of the following things.

Reading || Over the last five years, I’ve not read as much as I used to. Life got in the way, but that’s no excuse, considering reading and writing are the only two abilities that I feel define me. I’m making up for lost time now! I’ve been reading Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and The Unbreakable Miss Lovely by Tony Ortega, both I’d thoroughly recommend.

The latter is about the so-called church of Scientology’s campaign of terror on a journalist in the 1970s, and reveals a great deal about the history of what I consider to be a cult, how it came to be, its critics, and the unhealthy behind the scenes activity. They tapped her phones, stole her property and used it to expose her to those closest to her, and they tried to frame her for a federal crime, all while breaking into court houses in Washington to steal information on people considered threats. It’s shocking, and a worthy read.

I’m fascinated with Maya Angelou, but it’s taken me a while to read her work. Knowing aspects of an author’s life before reading their work is something I try to avoid, but she’s so incredibly well known, that even at a young age I knew of her and a bit of her awe-inspiring history. It’s interesting to read in her point of view, of her formative years in Arkansas, of the life of black people post-slavery, and the struggles they faced, and she describes her perception of racism so powerfully that drawing parallels is easy and yet still painful.

In my ears || I finally saw one of my favourite bands live, and let me tell you, the xx live are an awesome experience! They change almost every aspect of their music live, and it felt like being at a party that just so happened to be playing the coolest music. Think Jamie xx merged with the xx, and even Robyn came out to perform with them! I was speechless! Their latest album I See You, is so very good, especially Say Something Loving and I Dare You.

Other songs I’ve been obsessed with are Ride by Black Coast and M. Maggie, and Somebody Else by the 1975, which happens to be the only of their songs I like.

Trinkets || I visited my favourite aunt, and she always sends me home with a random assortment of gifts. This time, I came back with the cutest set of china, including a milk jug, and I’m so in love! Now, I just need a damn good Darjeeling from Fortnum & Mason for my Sunday afternoon tea!

Watching || black-ish become my new favourite in March. I’d glanced at it before, but I’ve now watched all two and a half seasons this month, and it’s brilliant, hilarious, thought-provoking, and brutally honest. I cannot fully articulate how it makes me feel and reflect, in every single episode!

It might not seem like much, but I’m very easy to please!

What were the highlights of your month?