FRIDAY ROUNDUP: Explaining the Dissonance, More Guns & a Dopamine Menu

Plus the secret behind The Secret History AND a book giveaway

Lately I’ve felt like I’m living in two timelines at once. I’m posting about Jam Girl Summer, about softness, slowness, joy, while also tracking the latest executive power grab, or watching footage of masked agents pulling people off the street without explanation. One moment I’m talking about touching grass, the next I’m bracing for a constitutional crisis.

If you’ve been feeling that same emotional whiplash, there’s a name for it: hypernormalization.

It describes what happens when the systems around us (political, environmental, social) are visibly breaking down, but everyone keeps acting like things are fine. You can see the dysfunction clearly, and yet life hums along: school drop-offs, delivery packages, new memes, old routines. The contrast between the absurd and the apocalyptic becomes so stark, it starts to feel surreal.

But that feeling of confusion or dread or numbness? It’s not a personal failing. It’s your mind doing its best to survive a reality that doesn’t make sense. You’re not broken, you’re awake.

So what do we do with that?

Psychologists say that naming the experience helps. So does reconnecting with your agency, no matter how small it feels. And that’s where things like Jam Girl Summer come in. This project isn’t about escapism, it’s about resistance. It’s about reclaiming joy, beauty, and community as tools for staying human in a system that would rather you go quiet or go numb.

Here’s what I’m learning to do:

• Stay present, even when it’s easier to scroll past. Have a plan to engage, not just consume.

• Reach out, even when it feels like everyone’s overwhelmed.

• Rest without guilt.

• Find moments of delight and softness, not as indulgences, but as fuel.

Because joy isn’t frivolous. It’s how we remember what we’re fighting for. Because care isn’t weakness. It’s how we break the spell of powerlessness. And because connection - real, grounded, messy connection- is how we build something better.

You’re not imagining it. And you’re not alone.

→ if you’re looking to connect with people in your area, we have location-specific threads now in the EYP chat! You can find that here!

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Invite a friend over to watch a movie -Sometimes the best kind of closeness is sitting side by side, saying nothing, laughing at the same dumb scene. Connection doesn’t always need words.

Apologize to someone who needs to hear it - Letting go of guilt or regret might not just heal them, it might free you too. Psychologists call this moral repair: when you make amends, your brain shifts out of rumination mode and into restoration. The weight you’ve been carrying? It gets lighter.

Wear something colorful - Joy can start with your outfit. Research in color psychology shows that wearing bright hues (especially yellows, pinks, and reds) can boost mood, increase confidence, and even influence how others perceive you. One study found that people wearing vibrant colors reported feeling more energized and sociable throughout the day. Clothes aren’t just fabric; they’re signals to your brain. So if you need a lift, start with what’s on your hanger.

→ Also if you haven’t posted a “liberty and justice for all” reel, here’s an example of a video and of a photo post!

Gen Z is Barely Holding on to the American Dream (NYT)
They feel like they’re on the bottom run of the ladder. What happens when progress is no longer predictable?

Republicans Have a Revenue Problem (The Atlantic)
Locked in its embrace of tax-cutting orthodoxy, the GOP has no credible way to address the country’s looming fiscal crisis no matter what they say.

How Dobbs Was a Human Rights Violation. (The Nation)
Georgia is now ground zero for the real-time dismantling of reproductive rights. This piece makes a compelling case: Dobbs wasn’t just a legal loss. It was a human rights violation.

Donald Trump’s Crypto Empire Is a Brazen Hustle. (New Statesman)
It won’t be the president emptying his bank account to buy meme coins.

Trump Proposal Could Make It Easier for Domestic Abusers to Get Gun Rights Back. (The 19th News)
Democratic lawmakers and gun violence prevention groups say that jettisoning the current process may be dangerous for women.

Cup of Jo

What It Really Means to Decenter Men
This is about choosing your own story, not making your whole life revolve around someone else’s. Read it here.

Honest Parenting Tips From Real Moms from

Joanna Goddard

These aren't your typical “just be present” platitudes. Think more fun, more self-care for you, and lowering the bar. Read it here.

What Is a Dopamine Menu and Why You Might Need One
A list of simple, feel-good activities you can choose from when your brain needs a boost. Think of it as a low-effort way to feel better without scrolling or stress-eating. Read it here.

How Often Should You Actually Strength Train
A trainer breaks it down with zero shame and no “beast mode” energy. Just realistic advice your body will thank you for. Read it here.

Advice for Making Life More Whimsical & Joyful from

Jenna O'Brien

20 simple ideas to sprinkle a little magic into your everyday life like sidewalk chalk art, bubble breaks, and impromptu game nights. Read it here.

LA Times

A Very Bingeworthy Podcast
“Once Upon a Time… at Bennington College” dives into the scandalous liberal arts college origins of literary titans Donna Tartt, Jonathan Lethem, and Bret Easton Ellis in the 1980s. It’s a lush, multi‑dimensional portrait of money, murder, madness and undeniable genius. Listen here.

Jeremy Allen White Is Serving Couture Daddy Energy
The tank tops were just a warm-up. Our sad-boy chef is now a Louis Vuitton ambassador, and honestly? We’ve never been hungrier. Read about it here.

Michelle Obama’s New Book Is a Love Letter to Fashion
From J.Crew to Jason Wu, her style changed the White House and this new book gives it the high-gloss treatment it deserves. See more here.

This 105-Year-Old Home Is a Plant-Lover’s Dream
Floor-to-ceiling windows, hanging greenery, and cozy earth-tones make this house look like the inside of a very chic terrarium. Take the tour here.

Are These Beans the Dish of the Summer
Creamy white beans, jammy tomatoes, and the right amount of spice.
Get the recipe here.

Teen Mom of Twins Graduates a Year Early
A 17-year-old teen considered dropping out of high school when she found out she was pregnant with twins. Instead, this young mom from Indiana graduated early and plans to attend college in the fall. Read it here.

Each week I give away a book to my paid subscribers (U.S. only), and this one is for the wellness girlies with a healthy fear of tech billionaires.

This week’s pick is You’re Safe Here from

Leslie Stephens

, a near-future thriller where motherhood, wellness, and Silicon Valley delusion collide.

It’s 2060, and the WellPod is the latest luxury from the world’s most powerful tech company. It’s a floating, AI-optimized wellness retreat promising rest, solitude, and peace. For newly pregnant Maggie, it’s a much-needed break… especially since the baby isn’t her partner’s.

But back on land, her fiancée Noa, who helped build the WellPods, is uncovering a series of cover-ups and deadly glitches buried deep in the code. And Maggie? She’s already out there.

Storms are coming. Tech is failing. And no one is as safe as they were promised.

→ Comment SAFE below for a chance to win.