Coming to you this week from 📍 Seattle, WA
Hi -
Summer is in full swing and it has been great catching up with friends, family, and so many others we haven't seen in months. In a world that is increasingly remote-first, it's no secret to anyone here that we're (unabashedly) huge supporters of remote work. But when it comes to seeing and spending time with loved ones, there's no replacing the magic of in-person. It's a privilege - and we hope we get to do more of it soon!
Socializing aside, we're re-embracing routine and looking ahead. So for today's newsletter, here's a little taste of what it's like for two Capricorns to be in full-fledged planning mode...
🙋♀️ Being back in Seattle means a chance to revisit all of our favorites!
- Most of our readers NOT from Seattle may mistake our beloved city as a one-dimensional haven for coffee nerds (and nothing more). Wrong you are! For... what's coffee without a good book or two to accompany it? 😛 In that spirit, check out our latest Instagram guide to our favorite bookstores in Seattle.
🫀 HEALTH: the secret to our picture-perfect beach bods...
- ... definitely joking about the beach bods. Those who know me know I have a lifelong dream of earning six-pack abs. Alas, still just a dream. BUT, the latest major lifestyle change we've made is incorporating a short morning walk within 5 minutes of waking up. Simply. Amazing. And the science backs up the benefits of this simple practice. Not quite a workout replacement, but the magic of being outside getting sunlight exposure first thing in the morning is pure magic. Our Asian grandparents had it right all along!
- The ritual of morning walks, alongside a cornucopia of other amazing bio-hacks and daily rituals, was inspired by my new favorite podcast from Huberman Lab (Go Card!). Each episode is chock-full of lessons in health in wellness, backed by science without all the intimidating jargon scientists tend to throw in. For a GREAT sampling, check out the episode on daily practices to improve productivity and mental wellbeing - amazing! Huge thanks to Ben Novak for the recommendation!
💰 WEALTH: the stuff that makes the world go round (only half-joking... sorta)
- In our world, it's not easy to talk about money with everyone. Worse yet, it's not even easy to talk about money with our partners! And that... is not ideal. Midori and I have long loved the idea of 'money dates' once a quarter. The point is to dedicate an evening to complete transparency around our finances with each other and ensure we're on the same page about the future. Sound cool? We shamelessly stole the idea years ago from Ramit Sethi, who made another captivating appearance on the Tim Ferriss Show last week talking specifically about this very thing.
- Needless to say, our next 'money date' is officially in the books for a few weeks from now. For anyone interested in a template for how these conversations can go, including questions to ask one another and experiments to try, the podcast episode linked earlier is a treasure trove - it just might leave you wanting to schedule a 'money date' of your own!
🏔 INSPIRATION: Guidance from a foregone hero, Anthony Bourdain
- We're huge fans of Bourdain and have followed his work for years. His death a few years ago hit hard - a massive loss for the world and devastating for Midori and me, too. We had the chance to go see Roadrunner, the spectacular documentary made by his former friends and crew. It's a beautiful ode to the man himself. Pure art. If you're thinking about seeing it and were even a passive fan of Bourdain, take the plunge and check it out while it's still in theaters.
Anthony Bourdain inspired Midori and I to take our first international trip together back in 2015. We ventured to Hong Kong and Thailand, discovering our lifelong love of travel along the way. (Us in Bangkok circa 2015 👇)
That trip was so special, we've been back to SE Asia every year since then (bar 2020)! We owe a debt of gratitude to Bourdain and his crew for opening our eyes and setting us on this course! And to all of you, thanks for following us and for your continued support of our journey.
🎥 May your life be so colorful and interesting, it becomes documentary-worthy,
Akaash (& Midori)
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