Of all of the smart and creative blog posts I read this week, these are the links to the ones I thought you shouldn’t miss!
Quote of the Week
“When someone tells me I’ve touched them or pushed them or challenged them or entertained them, I need to do a much better job of saying, “Thank you. Please tell me more about where you’re coming from.” I need to stop what I’m doing and take a good look at this person who is taking a moment to share their gratitude, and I need not only to accept that gratitude, but to really see them.” – Kim Werker from a smart post continuing some thoughts she’d already shared recently about how to learn to ask for help in our creative work.
This Week’s Favorite
Susie of Useless Beauty shared her experience of nervously trying fan dancing. I loved her bravery, her description of her experience and the bit of history she gave us about the art.
Strange But Special
@weburb explains that this art piece, known as A Million Times, the installation features 288 analog clocks and 576 motors – one for each minute and hour hand.
@dezeen shares: “Researchers at MIT plan to 3D print a 3m-high pavilion by imitating the way a silkworm builds its cocoon.”
Mental Health and The Brain
The Benefits of Optimism Are Real. This great article looks at optimism through the lens of references to currently popular movies including Silver Linings Playbook and Life of Pi (both of which I’ve seen and enjoyed). Article by @EmEsfahaniSmith of @TheAtlantic.
@ResearchDigest looks at the psychological impact of urban street design. “More people worldwide now live in cities than in the countryside. Combined with sprawl and the loss of urban green spaces, this means that many of us are unable to enjoy the restorative effects of a natural setting. But what’s to say the built environment, designed well, can’t have a rejuvenating effect too?”
The Psychology of Hazing. I’ve never understood this practice so I was intrigued by this @visually infographic about it.
People and Relationships
Hurting Someone Else Can Hurt You Just as Much. Research via APS.
Zen and The Art of Happy, Healthy Parenting via @sfzc.
The Art of Loving Yourself. I loved this @rebelletweet article by @patriciabiesen that talks about how you can have high self-esteem but still have difficulty practicing deep self-love and even proper self-care.
Travel and Places
MemeRose shared inspirational photos from the Paulo de la Musica Catalana in Barcelona.
Little Tin Bird shared beautiful images from a North Yorkshire castle tour.
The Bohemian Collective shared a great set of inspiring nature photos, saying: “This set of locations is dedicated to my love for wild mountains, icy blue lakes, tall forests and a backpack.” This one is Jackson Lake in Wyoming, Photo by David Killpack.
@lindevrouw shared the Sunday Amsterdam Market in photos
Unusual Life shares: “The Emerald City Comicon, held at the Washington State Convention Center, has become an annual sign of Spring’s impending arrival in Seattle.” This event was also written about by @crochetlibfront who shared thoughts on how creative types should rethink sales.
Inspired by these travel-related posts but have to stay home? I liked the @pickthebrain article this week called 3 Steps to Make Every Day Feel Like a Vacation.
And if you are traveling away from home then you may want to read 6 Ways to Avoid Cultural Misunderstandings when Traveling Abroad via @lifehackorg
Art, Design, Creativity
@dezeen shared the trash bin liner upcycled fashions of British fashion designer Gareth Pugh
Ramon Bruin’s hyperrealistic 3d pencil drawings via @MOillusions
Dilcia Giron of Creationist shared the beautiful Artforum Magazine Excavation art series by @fpastine
How to Macrame a Flower Pot Holder via @eatpickles
@paisleyjade shared some beautiful fabric napkins she made
Marmalade Rose shared beautiful felted wool art she created
@2Modern shares how New York-based architect and designer Christian Wassamann believes that everything you need in a living space can be encapsulated in five specific forms
Beautiful Spaces
@sfgirlbybay did a beautiful roundup this week of her favorite eclectic homes, including this one by Camilla Tange Peylecke
@thestylefiles did a lovely roundup of home images with bright pops of yellow color, mostly against white background – contemporary springtime decor! This image here was one from @bodieandfou
Trendir shared: “For walls that really wow, check out the new digital wall coverings from Glamora … Not only are they beautiful, these wall coverings are also durable, resistant to daily wear and tear, fireproof, shock-proof and washable.”
Technology
@dezeen shared: “a transparent computer that allows users to reach “inside” the screen and manipulate content with their hands was unveiled at the TED conference in Los Angeles”
Other Smart Stuff
There was a really interesting article from @PacificStand about how a lot of great psychological research can’t be replicated. ”Research replication, an essential feature of good science—the element that allows truth to shine through the experimental brume—has simply not been a priority in today’s “publish or perish” climate. And we’re now learning that many well-publicized studies can’t be replicated.”
@lifehackorg offers insight into 10 Benefits of Meditation
Happy Weekend and Happy Reading. Link love is featured here every Saturday so come back next week for more!
by Laurie Sharp
