Snow Day! ☃️
Music, motivation, and making the case for smelling more.
On this snow day following a long weekend, (for some 🤨) I felt compelled to share some of the things that are keeping me grounded and making me feel good. I also want to try something new. If you have a comment or want to share something you like about this newsletter, reply to this email. I’ll get back to you with something cool!
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The Power of the Sniff 🐽
Do you feel like your sense of smell has diminished over time?
For me, smells were a defining feature of childhood and young life.
Strong, lemony cleaning detergents associated with all-day cleaning sessions, the unmistakable “dinner’s ready” aromas floating from the kitchen, and the unwelcomed whiffs of “wake up, New York. It’s garbage day.”
Now, in a sensory-overloaded world, it can feel like smells are taking a backseat.
If air pollution, smoking, or various illnesses have ailed you, this weakness may feel more developed.
I know what some of you may be thinking. Smells aren’t that important. At least it isn’t my vision or hearing being affected.
But what I retort to you with, dear reader, is that smell is the primordial scent, meaning it is more powerful, more primitive, and more intimately tied to our memories and emotions than any other.
It is quite literally the sense that makes us feel alive.
Think about it like this — if all you could do is see and hear, what makes life different than a VR experience? It’s the variables. The emotions. The sheer unpredictability of what could come next.
Life is about being subjected to a noseful of subway B.O. and having to process the emotions attached to the experience.
Smells are like the inputs of data from the world to your computer brain.
New car? Sniff.
Pine trees? Whiff.
Pie? Float.
Skunk? Run!
Additionally, your nose is a “use it or lose it” body part. Tons of little facial and nasal muscles are involved with smelling. Much like a bicep, these muscles weaken and fall out of favor if left unused. If you want to strengthen your sense of smell, sniff often, be mindful of smells, and physically activate your nose by flexing and twitching it as a bear does.
If you’ll recall last week’s Down to Earth, I discuss “screen apnea,” a phenomenon where our usually automatic breathing is halted while scrolling our phones.
That’s bad news for our nasal hero.
I believe that the human-wide sense of smell has decreased because we are doing more distracting and less smelling.
Between doomscrolling, viral diseases like COVID-19, chaotic world events, and less time spent outdoors, the use-it-or-lose-it snouts of our ancient ancestors are becoming phased out.
But all hope is not lost, loyal subscribers.
Your snow day challenge has arrived.
Find Three Things To Smell 💐
Your task is simple. Gather three things in your home that smell like something.
Good or bad. I like to use black pepper, fabric softening sheets, or my own cologne.
Now, sit or lie down for a few moments while you cycle through the different scents.
Just chill.
To challenge your perception close your eyes during the exercise. Eliminate all sensory distractions. Use your belly to power your inhale, and let the breath fall out when exhaling.
Remain still, and power that sniffer up by grounding back to what truly matters — the neighbor’s wet dog and freshly-dried laundry.
A Flurry of Motivation To Keep Fighting On 🥊
It’s mid-January. The kind of weather we’re getting is just enough to inconvenience, but not enough to inspire. With this playlist and scrapbook, that may change.
McFadden & Whitehead - Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now
Just try to listen to this and not feel inspired. I dare you.
Nas - We Will Survive
This was written after 2pac and Biggie’s deaths, which ultimately coincided with the death of true Hip-Hop. So the critics said. Instead, Nas triumphantly rejects this notion and asserts that no matter what, we will survive. We ain’t dead yet.
What do you bring to the table?
This is a message from my cousin. We often talk about the “right” way to build businesses, make money, or contribute to society. There are never any definitive answers. There is, however, the consistent theme of value. The more value or help you can offer someone, the more you can count on a reimbursement. Usually from the universe 🌍
A Tribe Called Quest — Motivators
A little on the nose for a motivational post. So be it.
To all my people 'cross the state who sit back and contemplate
Motivate, I motivate
To all my people 'cross the land who get they feet stuck in sand
Motivate, I motivate y'all
To all my people, whether you’re stuck in the sand or striving, I say peace.
I stopped to smell the roses.
Ain't no stoppin us now! Best song ever. We're getting a warm beautiful day in California today with finally no rain. There are so many wonderful smells in the air.