Fall has come and almost gone, so it’s time for my fall 2021 favorites. These past months have been a bit weird for me emotionally, to be honest. I haven’t been reading as much as I want. I also haven’t been watching anything that particularly blew my mind, either. Still, there have been some things I’ve been catching up on that have made my life easier. Without any further ado, here are my fall 2021 favorites. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO

It’s “Red”, season, “Babe”. You know it “All Too Well” (see what I did there?). Taylor’s rerecording of this iconic album is something I’ve been waiting for a long time. “Red” is one of my favorite Taylor Swift albums and I couldn’t wait to find out how the re-record would sound. Of course, it didn’t disappoint. How could it? It included “All Too Well” (10 minute version) and it’s a masterpiece. Her performance on SNL of this song is one in my top 10 Taylor performances as well.

I’ve also been listening to Maisie Peters’ album “You Signed Up For This”, and I love it so much. It’s very eighties at times but it also reminds me of early Lily Allen and Chvrches. I think “Psycho” is my favorite song. It’s such a bop.

Finally, Halsey’s “If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power” is an incredible record. It’s so emotionally complex and incredibly powerful. She wrote while being pregnant with her first child and during the pandemic. I highly suggest you also watch her interview with Zane Lowe where she talks about the making of this album. At one point she says that to her, this album was a means to get everything off her chest that she wouldn’t be able to say once she became somebody’s mom and I really think this idea completely encapsulates the intricacy of this album.

WHAT I’M WATCHING

Like I said, I haven’t been watching much these past months. I think one of the only highlights is the second season of “Ted Lasso” (Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly and Bill Lawrence, 2020). This sophomore season felt very different from the first, though. Every episode in season 1 lasted about 30 minutes and was mostly comedy. Even though “Ted Lasso” wasn’t a sitcom, we could say it felt mostly “sitcom-y”.

Season 2, however, showed more creative leeway. Episodes were sometimes almost an hour long and this longer format allowed for deeper character analysis and more drama. Every episode no longer felt like the warm hug it used to feel like. They were more complex. This doesn’t mean “Ted Lasso” isn’t a feel-good show anymore. It still is. It’s just that some darker themes were explored this season that could sometimes make you feel slightly uncomfortable… before you got to that warm hug.

I personally think Brendan Hunt, Joe Kelly and Bill Lawrence (the creators of the show) took a necessary and brave step when writing season 2. Seeing the issues they wanted to tackle in the show, it was clear that the season 1 format wouldn’t cut it. Thirty minute episodes didn’t allow as much room for in-depth character exploration which could end up making the show feel plain, superficial and even parody-esque. A longer format was the correct answer to this problem and I’m sure it will offer us an incredible season 3 as well.

Additionally, I’ve also been re-watching “Dawson’s Creek” (Kevin Williamson, 1998-2003). Don’t ask me why, but rewatching 90’s shows is very comforting to me. I guess they remind me of easier times. “Midnight Mass” (2021), Mike Flanagan’s most recent series is also a fall highlight. Although I didn’t enjoy it as much as “The Haunting of Hill House” (2018) and “The Haunting of Bly Manor” (2020), it still had some incredible scenes and episodes. Spoilers ahead if you haven’t watched. You’ve been warned… STOP READING IF YOU HAVEN’T WATCHED IT YET.  One of my favorite things about the show was how it was a vampire show yet it didn’t utter the word vampire. Not even once. Also that death scene. And that ending. That freaking amazing ending was incredible.

WHAT I’M READING

I’m reading “Digital Minimalism” by Cal Newport. It’s an interesting read. The tricky thing, however, is finding a way of putting it into practice. The same goes for the second book I’m reading, “Simply Living Well” by Julia Watkins. As you know, I’ve been trying to slowly get into slow living. This book has many tips, tricks and recipes to lead a low-waste household. It’s a lovely book with great ideas and lovely pictures. I love jumping through it and getting inspired but, to be honest, it can be hard to find the time to get to some of the recipes. It can be frustrating at times but I have to keep telling myself: slow-living is not all or nothing. Do what works for you. Maybe you’re not the kind of person who can bake her bread every day but maybe you can do it on the weekends. These tiny steps help me live a gentler, simpler life.

WHAT I’M WORKING ON

My wonderful friend and incredibly talented artist Roshni (@roshnirobert on Instagram), invited me to “Creative Fuel” Workshop and I can honestly say it’s been one of the most enriching experiences I’ve had in a long time. A few of us meet over zoom just to chat and create whatever the prompt of the day is. It is organized by Jam Collective (@jamcollective on Instagram) and led by the magical Anna Brones (@annabrones on Instagram). I’m so glad I get to meet these talented women for an hour a week. It’s a moment for socializing, creating and laughing. I can honestly say it has helped me through some hard times these past month.