Matt’s Mix Tape Vol. 123

Hi, I’m Matt Tillotson, and this is Matt’s Mix Tape: essays + links on living a vibrant and creative middle life.

This week’s Mix:

• My favorite newsletters

• Holiday travel fitness tips

• A valuable gratitude exercise

• Not-Florida photos

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My Favorite Newsletters

December is the month for lists. Here are newsletters I never miss each week:

• In “Full of Krapp,” Kevin Rapp asks himself a question or series of questions and answers them in insightful and hilarious fashion.

• Josh Spector is insanely talented at finding the most useful articles for creators, which he shares in For The Interested.

• Lyle McKeany is a masterful writer who shares heartfelt essays from his own trials, tribulations, and triumphs. If you want to write better, read “Just Enough to Get Me In Trouble” each week.

• Charlie Bleecker’s Transparent Tuesdays features hilarious and insightful stories about parenting and relationship dynamics. She also shares stories like the time she stole money from a drug dealer. No-holds-barred Bleecker Bombs, weekly.

• Leo Mascaro’s “Shuffle Sundays” gives you a weekly rundown of everything new worth listening to in the world of music.

• Nate Kadlac is a talented designer who has taught me a ton over the past year. “Plan Your Next” combines insights on design, creativity, and planning your next steps in world domination.

• Steven Wilkinson’s Good and Prosper Newsletter leverages his cross-powers of deep research and persuasive writing to examine a range of cultural and business topics.

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Quick fitness tips for holiday travel

You might be visiting family and off your normal fitness and eating routines (like me!)

It’s Christmas. It’s ok to ease off the gas pedal a bit.

But you don’t have to drive the car off the cliff, either. Here are few ideas to mitigate the holiday damage:

• You’re going to eat more junk than usual. Fine. But make sure it’s food you really like. Don’t just eat something because it’s there—drive-by snacking is a killer.

• Many gyms sell day passes. Find them.

• Drink lots of water.

• Take a morning walk.

• Sleep. You’re less likely to stress-eat …and stress-drink.

• You can find lots of bodyweight workouts on YouTube. No gym or equipment required.

Small steps, even while indulging, make your new-year recovery less daunting.

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A valuable gratitude exercise

December is also a month for reflection and gratitude (as every month should be!)

In all honesty, this has been a rough year.

And yet …

Much to be grateful for.

So many people had a positive impact on me this year. Some of you don’t even know it. I tried to get everyone, but don’t feel bad if I missed you:

Charlie, Scott, Ayomide, Florian, Nate, Bryce, Simone, Jen, Dan, Alexandra, Reddy, Stephen, Steven, David, Will, Robbie, Megan, Salman, Rebecca, Bill, Clive, Nikki, Cam, Chris, Christine, Louie, Amit, Najla, Karen, Jason, Lianne, Karaminder, Michelle, Ken, Tobi, Julia, William, Tanja, Tony, Whit, Kevin, Larry, Angela, Sara, my parents, and many more.

I have many generous, and talented people around me. None of us should take it for granted.

I highly recommend this exercise.

List out the people who inspired, taught, and supported you this year. You can’t help but feel grateful.

(I stole this idea from Nate, because it’s good.)

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This week’s not-Florida photos

My Star Wars Christmas cookies are now tradition:

My youngest daughter had never seen snow. That was remedied this week:

Merry Christmas, if you’re so inclined, from my crew to yours.

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Hello to 22 new subscribers

And thank you to you for reading. Drop me a note, ask a question, or tell me I’m wrong anytime.