5 things I am obsessed with right now…

With all the noise that surrounds me, I’ve found myself gravitating towards the simpler, tactile pleasures of yesteryear. It’s as if my soul is craving a connection to something more authentic, more tangible. Maybe it’s nostalgia, or perhaps it’s a subtle form of rebellion against the omnipresence of screens and all things digital. Whatever the reason, I’ve recently become obsessed with a few things that remind me of a time when life felt a bit slower and perhaps a bit more real. From the warm, analog sound of cassette tapes to the invigorating feel of the sun on my skin, these obsessions have brought me unexpected joy and a sense of grounding in a fast-paced world.

Playing cassette tapes on a compact cassette player

A month back, I was feeling resistance to modern technology, and somehow, I made the leap that cassette tapes would solve my problem. I jumped on Amazon to find something compact to play the cassette tapes. As a kid, I had many cassette players, and it just felt like a mini answer to an unknown problem. I ended up purchasing a Tomashi with a built-in speaker. I then found my way over to eBay to purchase some soundtracks of my favorite movies and even audios of my favorite books.

So far, I have a handful of cassettes, including some by Og Mandino, Pretty Woman, You’ve Got Mail, and Love Story, and I just ordered Dirty Dancing. The other night, I even had my husband take me to an indie music store to get some classics, and guess what they had in the free section? A cassette tape case!

Right now, I am alternating between a few cassettes while catching up on my writing. Og Mandino is my favorite author, and it is incredible to hear his voice crackling on tape, bringing him into my room.

Taking walks & basking in the sun

Another thing I am obsessing with right now is taking walks and basking in the sunlight. I have been successful with my morning walks many mornings now. I have made them non-negotiable, and achieving them hasn’t been difficult. Today I even ate lunch on a blanket beside a pond near my house. I love the sun. It makes me feel simplistically happy and satisfied.

Tom Ford Perfume

A couple of months ago, my husband and I found ourselves in the Las Vegas airport with time to kill. I asked him if he wanted to take a walk, and he said yes. We wandered into the duty-free store. This was my first time in a duty-free store, and we stumbled upon many bottles of Tom Ford perfume and cologne. We didn’t purchase anything, but a few days later, I did get some clones from Amazon. I bought myself Jasmin Rouge and my husband the Tuscan Leather scents. They are heavenly.

Writing love letters to you

Today marks day 24 of sitting here on Medium to write. Sometimes, they are directly to you; sometimes, they are just what is on my heart. But I love this outlet. It has helped me feel useful through this sickness.

The Rise Sleep App

Have you ever heard of sleep debt?

Sleep debt refers to the difference between the amount of sleep you need and the amount you actually get. Think of it as a cumulative shortfall of sleep over time. For most adults, the recommended amount of sleep is around 7–9 hours per night, but if you’re only managing 6 hours a night, you’re accumulating a sleep debt.

This concept is important because sleep isn’t just “downtime.” It’s a critical period for physical recovery, cognitive function, and emotional regulation. Sleep debt can lead to a range of negative health outcomes, including but not limited to impaired cognitive function, increased stress responses, heightened emotional reactivity, and even risks to physical health like increased susceptibility to obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

Interestingly, while you can’t “repay” sleep debt hour-for-hour by simply sleeping more on the weekends, studies suggest that catching up on sleep can help alleviate some of the deficits associated with sleep deprivation. However, the best approach is to establish a consistent sleep schedule that meets your body’s needs, thereby avoiding the accumulation of sleep debt in the first place.

Well, I downloaded a new app right when I was in the thick of being sick. I had a horrible night, during which I had only gotten 3–4 hours of sleep, and I wanted to know exactly how much sleep I had gotten. I stumbled upon the Rise Sleep app, and I am a bit obsessed with tracking it.

I ended up with 8 hours of sleep debt thanks to being sick in the RV and such.

I am now down to 4 hours. I am slowly chipping away at it.

Reflecting on these current obsessions, I realize they’re not just random interests. They represent a more profound longing for connection, authenticity, and simplicity in a world that often feels overwhelmingly complex. Each cassette tape, sunlit walk, whiff of perfume, heartfelt letter, and mindful night’s sleep serves as a reminder to slow down, savor the moment, and appreciate life's simple yet profound joys. I am even rediscovering the beauty of engaging with the world in a more intentional, meaningful way.

What are you currently obsessed with?

With love, Jo.