On How to Check In Mindfully

All of us need emotional support from our friends, now more than ever. But how can we show up for a friend if we already know that they're not doing great? Anna Goldfarb offers a few tips when checking in with a friend. 1. Look for signs of distress. If you’re able to safely meet in person, notice how your friend appears physically. Do they look tired? Have they been sleeping well? 2. Be mindful of any power dynamics. Whether it is a parent, a sibling, or a colleague, there exist nuanced power dynamics in all of our relationships. Take that into thought during your conversation. 3. Check in with yourself first. If you are struggling yourself, it’s unlikely that you will be able to offer help to others. Do not feel burdened to be there for others unless you have the mental capacity to be. 4. Offer confidentiality. This allows the other person to feel more comfortable in confiding in you. 5. Set a date to follow up. This takes pressure off from daily updates, when both parties know when to check in again. New York Times.

On the Four Kinds of Side Hustles

Justine Mares, the co-founder and CEO of Kettle and Fire — a multi-million dollar D2C bone broth company, is no stranger to the side hustle. In this piece, Justine shares his thoughts on the 4 ways to build a successful side hustle: 1. Buy an existing asset. It could be an apartment, a website, an app or anything that has the potential to bring you continuous profit. 2. Launch a product on a marketplace with existing demand. Justine recommends looking on platforms such as Skillshare, eBay, the Google Chrome app store etc. 3. Launch a unique product in a new space where you can buy demand. This requires some preexisting capital. demand can be bought through the likes of Facebook, Instagram, and Google ads. 4. Arbitrage. This can be the most tricky as the market can overcrowd quickly, but nevertheless worth looking into. Definitely check out this piece if you’re thinking about starting your own side hustle. Superorganizers.

On Advice from RBG

The late Supreme Court Justice led an extraordinary life and served as a role model for many. In this piece written before her passing, Ruth Bader Ginsburg offers some advice for all of us, including a piece of advice her mother-in-law once gave her, "it helps sometimes to be a little deaf." RBG writes, "When a thoughtless or unkind word is spoken, best tune out. Reacting in anger or annoyance will not advance one’s ability to persuade." As we are constantly faced with bad news and are stuck at our quarantine homes, anger and frustration are sure to arise from our friends, roommates, and loved ones. Take RBG’s advice and try to tune out the negative voices as it will not serve you to react to them. Leave only room for understanding and care. New York Times.