“A History of Authenticity, from Jesus to Self-Help and Beyond” by Alexander Stern.

I’ll admit it. I strive for authenticity. As scary as it is, doing things that seem “me,” help me get closer to the life I want to build for myself. But Stern critiques authenticity and argues it’s taken “advantage of cynically by the corporations that profit off our innermost desires, while they use the rhetoric of individual freedom, identity and ‘entrepreneurship’ to atomise, surveille and exploit their workers.” I find this fascinating because it forced me to dig down and name plenty of brands I bought from, simply because I felt connected to them. From fashion brands to wellness brands, I buy items I swear are “me.” Yet, these same brands perpetuate capitalism and exploitation.

Stern writes that individuals measure themselves against “virtual avatars” and “instead of trying to come to terms with our [their] radical freedom, ‘authenticity’ drives us [people] toward a rebel conformity constantly searching for the exercise routine, clothing brand or political posture” that represents them.

This piece caused me to rethink why I strive for authenticity and the means I take to show my true self to others. It made me aware of how much I buy things to represent me and how destructive that is to my inherent values.

This mini-shirt dress is perfect for summer.

This piece about jeans is the only piece of writing that stood out to me after the proclaimed message that skinny jeans are out.

I’m all for comfortable clothing. After all, the pandemic normalized working from home in sweats and living in the same pair for weeks on end. But think about your favorite jeans—those that fit just right. Those jeans you wore so much that they molded into your form and you know all their quirks and loose threads. Naomi Skwarna excellently illustrates this feeling:

“There’s a feeling of physical intimacy that I and many of us have lacked throughout this time. The thought of seeking it out in jeans that are as mortal—and mendable—as we are might help us remember that there is value in continuing to hope for more life, marked and patched as we are.”

I’ve been craving bao buns and finally made some using this recipe. SO GOOD!

Emma Chamberlain brings me so much comfort.

Talk to you soon!

xo