Friends, hi! Hello it’s Sunday!
What started as a sweet and easy Friday morning motorcycle ride with Will somehow evolved into window shopping for new motorcycles, and quickly escalated into me trading in my beginner motorcycle for this real deal Harley Davidson. Can you even believe!? She’s so beautiful. I’m taking her for a ride this morning and wow can I just say – the fact that I learned how to ride a motorcycle in my 40’s and now ride a Harley surprises the heck out of me. Life is full of surprises in the place past fear, doubt, and the few tears I shed learning how to ride.
Today’s gathering of links evolved over the course of the week. I’ve been thinking about habits this week. I’m looking closely at my own habits and daily routines as a casual, mid-year check in. Do I really need that third cup of coffee? Lol, no. Am I hydrated? Am I moving my body? Am I who I want to be?
Here are just a few links I’ve gathered to that end. It’s short and sweet and I hope you find a little something here that serves you.
• I’ve listened to this episode of On Purpose with Rick Rubin twice now. Rick Rubin, as I’m sure you know, is a LEGENDARY record producer and creative mind. I’m always fascinated by a creative person who can get to the very soul of other people’s creativity. To hear Rick Rubin talk about changing creative habits and swapping mindset to dig deeper – there’s so much value in this conversation. Do listen! (Jay Shetty)
• 10 Habits People with Nice Smelling Kitchens Swear By. Apparently it’s more than just emptying the trash. (The Kitchn)
• Let’s talk about the habit of money. This is a deeply realistic question: How Do I Get Better About Money Without Overhauling My Whole Life? (The Cut)
• Remember this song along with me: Sins of My Youth (Spotify)
• I’ve made a habit of taking a shot of the most intense and delicious lemonade every morning. It’s that viral TikTok lemon concoction thats a whole lemon (peel and all), quartered, blended with 2 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, a knob of ginger and a few tablespoons of honey. Blend until smooth, strain and store in the fridge. It’s so tart and creamy it’s DELICIOUS! It also reminds me of Brazilian Lemonade which is made with sweetened condensed coconut milk and might just be the bevy of the summer. (Brazilian Kitchen Abroad)
• We’ve made these Sunday posts a whole habit. Here’s where we were this time last year: Let It Be Sunday, 375. It’s totally worth a revisit because you share some of your favorite podcasts, music, and books! (Joy the Baker)
• I’m allowing myself a drugstore level glowup this summer and I’ll tell ya, this L’Oreal Pre-Shampoo Treatment has surprised me in how much it’s strengthened my hair. Highly recommend if you’re balling on a budget like me. (Amazon)
• One of my favorite Sunday habits is to make a dinner large enough for leftovers that will feed us into the week, paired with a movie on the couch. Tonight it’s roasted chicken and veggies and the Gordon Lightfoot: If You Could Read My Mind documentary. (Amazon)
Enjoy this day. Go easy on yourself, and turn towards the sun.
My love to you.
xo Joy
Alphabet
Love that engine shape. Congrats on joining Harley Nation.
Katt
I’m going back to freelance at the end of the summer and I am so very excited to have time to create new habits that serve the type of life I want to live.
Molly
Your bike IS so pretty! I love the color(s)!! Ride well and stay safe out there.
Sera
Cool bike! As a fellow female rider who learned last year at the age of 33, I’d love more moto content (gear recommendations, stories from your rides) on Joy the Baker!
Joy the Baker
Oh congratulations, Sera! That’s awesome! And yes I’d be happy to share gear and stories. I’m collecting the goods now. :) Be safe out there!
nobody
great, 1+ more obnoxious loud hog on the road. I hate that I liked you.
Joy the Baker
Actually there’s a couple riders in the comments here. Gosh you have a lot of people to be mad at. Hope you can keep up!
Andrea
She’s a beaut! Congratulations Joy! I just got a new moto myself ? We should ride together someday!
Joy the Baker
I would LOVE THAT!
Lynn Glace
Great looking bike! Thanks for the link to Gordon Lightfoot. He wrote so many great songs! ‘Shadows’ is one of my favorites.
Nikki W
I’ve listened to Rick’s book twice and have watched him on a couple of podcasts. The way he shares about creativity is so inviting and nourishing and inclusive. Beautiful.
Joy the Baker
I’m starting a listen on his book this week! And I feel like you’ve nailed it with the word ‘nourishing’. That feels spot on.
Jena
Joy,
First, congratulations! How utterly exciting.
Second, thank you for this post! I’m 32 and feel like life is swooshing past me. Such a great reminder to check in with myself and make the *small* changes I can, without being harsh to myself. As a perfectionist, it is so easy to get hung up on what I’m not doing.
I hope you have a great week!
Joy the Baker
I’m glad this helped a bit, Jena! Without knowing you, I know you’re doing great! Keep on and be gentle!
Teddi
There are only a few things I read every week and this is one of them. You always having something interesting to research. What a gorgeous Harley. My only chance to ride a bike was when I was 14. I would sneak my brother’s Honda 50 and ride it on the back streets. It was so exhilarating. I really thought I was flying. Now I am too old to even think about it. Maybe a Vespa?
Joy the Baker
A little Vespa would be a load of fun. And you’re right – it’s an absolute thrill! I love that you could sneak a few rides in on your brother’s bike!
Dottie
Congratulations on graduating to your new bike. Enjoy!
Love how you sequenced your habits that you are examining, from drinking coffee to the big one of being who you want to be. Made me smile. Thank you for sharing.
Joy the Baker
It’s always best to start small, ya know?
Allen Cholger
Glad to see your new adventure is on United Steelworker iron. Enjoy, and stay safe out there in the land of careless cage drivers. Al
Joy the Baker
Thank you, Allen! I take good care out there (at least I try to!).
nancy k
Congrats on joining Harley Nation.
My younger brother owed Harleys for years.He always was themes happy on the back of his bike.
I tried to get my license when in my mid 40’s to honor him after he passed away at the age of 42 from a genetic heart condition. He left his custom 81 Sturgis to me… confident that I would find it a good home. I wanted that home to be with me but I failed miserably learning how to ride. I eventually passed it to the husband of a friend, who rides it often and appreciates its history.
Joy the Baker
Ah Nancy, your brother had an epic bike. He must have been an equally epic person. I’m sorry you lost him so early. Thanks for sharing this with us! Love to you.
Toby
You are such a badass. Thanks for the Gordon Lightfoot rec! X
Joy the Baker
Yes, friend!
Jody
This is so fun for me today as I am contemplating a new bike as well. However I’m thinking of an electric bicycle! Haha!
Also, another coincidence, I watched Hannah Gadsby; when anxiety takes hold, she was told to breath and then think who she wants to be. The focus change quelled her anxiety.
Joy the Baker
Those electric bikes are so fun! And thank you for the Hannah Gadsby rec!
Sue
What a beauty! Enjoy your ew ride.
Did you have it custom made? It is so unique.
Joy the Baker
Oh it’s not custom made. It’s a new bike made to look like a throwback.