Shaking the Dust
Let's tend to our spaces and celebrate spring
Happy April!
I hope you’re enjoying the transition to longer days and warmer weather.
This time of year always feels more like a fresh start than January. In fact, for many cultures, spring marks the beginning of the year.
Nowruz, the Persian New Year, is tied to the spring equinox and celebrates the end of darkness and the rebirth of nature. In preparation, homes are thoroughly cleaned in a practice known as “shaking the dust of the past.”
I’ve always loved spring cleaning, and this year it feels like there’s a lot of dust of the past to shake. I’m looking forward to tackling my physical and digital spaces.
We might not be out of the metaphorical darkness, but sunshine, blooming flowers, and tending to our spaces are certainly worth celebrating.
Take care,
Brelynn
🎵April Playlist
📚Media Reads
Nowruz, the Persian New Year, Celebrates Renewal and Rebirth
Aimee Ortiz (@aimeeortiz) explores the history and traditions of Nowruz, a holiday celebrated by 300 million people worldwide. Preparations include cleaning, growing sprouts, cooking traditional dishes, and wearing new clothes.
In an ongoing project, photographer Valeria Luongo (@va.luo) captures a group of women in Mexico who are joining a traditionally male ritual called Danza de los Voladores. To encourage a good harvest, participants jump off a 30-meter pole and revolve around it on ropes.
Travel Lovingly: A Regenerative Approach to Seeing the World
Issabella Orlando (@issabellaorlando) explores the complexities of tourism and the possibilities of restorative travel. As she explains, “the way we travel is a micro-context for us as individuals to reconsider our movement through the world, and how we can make choices that ensure we add value to the places we visit.”
It’s a critical time to support the arts. The New Yorker’s (@newyorkermag) culture reporters highlight what’s happening this season in music, theatre, art, dance, movies, and television.
❤️Like + Share
Seeds of Spring
Oh Jess Marie shared this seasonal illustration.
Signs of Change
Jeffrey Sun highlighted these beautiful scenes from his video essay, “Change is the Only Constant.”
Spring Bouquet
This illustration by Sally Murphy Design instantly lifted my mood.
🖌️Creators to Follow
Foraging Wisdom (@foraging.wisdom) is a collection of inspiration by writer Ankita Shah (@ankita.shah). The account shares carousels that thoughtfully explore topics of life and art.
Earthrise (@earthrise.studio) is a digital media company dedicated to communicating the climate crisis through research, design, and filmmaking. On social media, they share educational carousels and videos.
Jane (@lamblittle) is an Irish artist and textile designer. Working primarily in watercolor, she creates stunning illustrations of fungi, flora, and fauna.
Absolutely beautiful💕thank you