feb recs

Written By Gianna Cantu

alligator bites never heal - doechii (music album, 2024)

i have been heavily invested in this album since its debut and now that its won a grammy, lets dig into why you should put it on your list to check out too. the motivation, perseverance and resilience of this album are all indicative of the environment doechii is trying to carve out for herself. it speaks on how hustle is a creative process that is deeply personal to the individual, along with digging into how putting the hustle above the person can be detrimental to them in so many unspoken ways. the messages of the songs and cadence in which they are delivered have pushed me to be more introspective about how i approach the things that i want to strive for and thrive in, including dissecting what it may mean to put individuality first and the contribution that may have to my affair with chasing a better version of myself. its a bomb ass listen and i recommend it to everyone who may be looking for some extra motivation to go out and get that shit.

YOUTUBE VIDEO: creating a dopamine menu - cyndriana

if you fancy yourself a little craft, this is the perfect video for you. from my experience, the amount of time that i spend on social media has a direct impact on the countless other hobbies and projects that i want to get to. its hard to want to expand your horizon when it feels way more overwhelming than being fed content from an algorithm that was specifically curated for me.

as i was following along in the video, i couldn’t help but wonder what would be needed from me to get this project going. of course i want to tap into my creative side and basically junk journal the crap out of my dopamine menu, but what comes before and after that?

this was a really great way to sit with myself and critically think about the things or actions in my life that bring me joy and peace. there are always going to be distractions, but:

  • where can i hone in on the things that make me feel more like myself?

  • how can i incorporate more freedom in the process of getting something done (especially when i don’t want to)?

  • what exist around me and with me, in cooperation and defiance of me?

  • what does it look like to be me, without the screens, scrolling, and socials?

the creator of the video doesn't ask these questions of you, but i will. get to thinking.

YOUTUBE SERIES: sunday cleaning - mike o’leary

specifically the coffee club volume 11 video. if you are on the hunt for a good background mix for when you’re working on a project, cleaning the house, or trying to drown out your inner thoughts this is a great place to start. this was played in the background as my household sat down to put together a wooden piano music box (sounds weird - was actually really fun and only a little challenging…..better than a lego set imo) and the mix felt like the perfect fuel to settle in and get something done. it was a great blend of hits that stay in our playlists along with outliers that we haven’t shown love to in a while. given that this is a recurring series, there are likely tons of videos you could dig into to find the right blend of songs that suits you perfectly.

if you have some things you’re putting energy into that are helping you stay offline let me know, maybe they’ll make it into next months edition of recs!

Gianna Cantu