Hi newsletter subscribers — thank you for being here.

I don't have a whole lot to talk about this week, other than: I started a podcast.

It's called Literally, the Worst, and you can find it on your favorite podcast platform. We talk about things that are, literally, the worst. It's been a fun way to chit-chat about what's going on in the world, and to take "staying informed" and maybe use it for some good? I'm not really sure about that yet, but I hope it at least helps others stay up to date too.

I co-host with my friend Lauren. We basically took the conversations we were already having in our cars and added two microphones. It's been a lot of fun — both exploring the topics and just seeing what it's like to record a podcast and put it out there.

Again, you can find it on all podcast platforms, and I'll put the link below.

I've also been doing Instacart lately, in preparation for some coming life changes. I don't want to say it's been fun, but it's been a breath of fresh air — to re-engage with humanity, get out of the house more, and get to serve people in this capacity.

It's such an interesting thing. Shopping for myself, I tend to hate. Shopping for other people doesn't seem to be as big of an issue, especially when I get to make somebody's day. I've ordered on Instacart for years, back when I wasn't able to do my own grocery shopping. Now that I'm feeling better, and now that I've got my migraines more under control — still room for improvement there — I feel like I'm able to get out more and try more things. It's been refreshing to give it a try.

The other thing I'll say about being out amongst people more: it definitely creates more empathy. Seeing other people interact with other humans changes your perspective. I see other Instacart shoppers out there, and there's this interesting acknowledgment that we're all just trying to do the thing. We're all just trying to make it in a world that right now isn't always easy, and isn't always kind.

It's also given me a whole lot of empathy for male Instacart shoppers. I know it's a running meme that when you get a male shopper you kind of inwardly groan, because the attention to detail may not be there — especially when it comes to produce. But watching them do their best, trying to find all the right items and get everything in the right place, definitely gives you a different perspective.

So I'd just encourage you this week: where is somebody just doing their best? There is somebody out there trying their hardest, and maybe it's still not enough — but they're doing their best. Can you acknowledge that? Can I acknowledge that? Can we admit that maybe we're all just trying our best, or all just failing together?

I think it's an interesting spiritual practice to give everybody else the benefit of the doubt, even when they don't deserve it. Even if they've proven you wrong time and time again.

It doesn't mean you open yourself up to being hurt over and over. It doesn't mean you openly trust. It doesn't mean you throw yourself to the wolves. But maybe it just means you can acknowledge that they're doing their best — even if their best isn't good enough.

And maybe that creates just a little bit of empathy.

That's all for this week.