A Quick Message

Hi friend,

The other night, we drove past a car crash on the highway. The back of the car was crumpled in, and half the lanes were shut down. We slowed, and like everyone else, stared at the spectacle, then kept driving.

It’s far too easy to rubberneck at the bad things that happen to others and then rationalize them away, isn’t it?

When a threat looms, there is this impulse to play it down. It won’t be that bad. Or maybe, it will be that bad, but it won’t affect me. It will affect other people, people who aren’t like me or aren’t careful enough or … whatever.

Rubberneck at the horror, then proceed with your day. Or, more likely, just avert your eyes.

Anyway!

We had a very fun feature planned to run this week about women’s post-divorce sex lives, but suffice it to say we’re not in the mood (pun?) for that at the moment.

Just to be clear: This is a newsletter for women about their lives – their pursuit of happiness, success, autonomy, you name it – and it will continue to be so. We’re just feeling a little tired today.

So, this week we have a few recommendations of fun entertainment-y type things to turn to for some levity, distraction, etc. We will have that story and much more for you next week.

Bye,
Your friends at Gloria

TO STREAM In the screwball comedy The Gutter, an underachiever discovers a surprising talent for bowling, becomes a bowling alley hero, and then goes up against a former champ. It’s absurd, it’s pretty brainless, and it’s what we feel like watching.

TO GET Forget setting your phone alarm — there’s a much better way to wake up. This unique alarm clock offers gentle tones for the morning (which you can customize), and white noise or nature sounds to help you wind down at night. You can also access meditations, sound baths, and more via “playlists” directly on the clock, no phone necessary. Wake up and wind down without a screen. Cool! Use code GLORIA20 for 20 percent off orders of $125 or more. (Offer excludes bundles) #partner

TO READ Hardly Strangers is a new romance novel from our friends at 831 Stories, about two LA types who meet unexpectedly in a sort of Before Sunrise-type fashion. Kirkus, in a positive review, describes it as a “thoughtful, introspection-filled, bite-sized romance.”

TO LISTEN Elliott Smith’s gorgeous posthumous 2004 album, From a Basement on the Hill, has been remastered and re-released. You can order physical copies here, or listen to it here. It’s always been poignant and perfect in our eyes, but this has really leveled it up.

We always have this stain remover on hand for all sorts of issues, whether it's red wine, make-up, or tomato sauce. In addition to helping us save and preserve our favorite shirts, it’s also plant-based and fragrance-free. Try it out here, and use the code SR20GLORIA for 20 percent off. #partner

Embracing the cozy vibes of “Nora Ephron fall.” • Catching up with Robert Smith of The Cure. • What to expect when it comes to abortion in the United States. • Sad, but very good.

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