Thank you, and happy V-day

All the fun Substacks I discovered this week, and feeling grateful

Dear Calling the Shots readers,

This is a special Valentine’s edition of Calling the Shots, and I'm sending you all the love in the world. Thank you for subscribing and allowing me to share my thoughts with you. I don’t take it lightly or for granted. Having a place in your inbox is a privilege I deeply value—your time and attention mean everything. I'm truly grateful for this connection.

I spent much time this week exploring Substacks beyond the US and China watching circles. Substack is both in and somehow feels so retro. The Instagram It girls have entered the chat—if you don’t have a substack, are you cool? And yes, paying for a substack to be recommended more things to buy is a real thing. Substack feels like the return of the blogs, and it’s, in some ways, our collective demand for slow social media. We are inundated with dopamine hits from the constant stimulations; how can we find our flow? After all, “the flow state is our most powerful weapon against the intense rationalization of our lives.”

How We Lost the Flow

I've been inspired to start a new Substack that shares my favorite discoveries - from thought-provoking reads to unexpected gems. Nothing concrete yet, but I welcome any suggestions on that!

I'd love to share some delightful Substacks I discovered this week:

1. Break free from the internet: a much-needed digital detox companion to reset my dopamine baseline for 2025.

Here are all the things you *could* be doing instead of scrolling:

What to do instead of scrolling

2. Wu Fei’s Music Daily: I did not know I loved the sound of Gu Zhen until I started listening to Fei. And when she sings, the ethereal sound will take you places, I promise.

#1113 — When mimosa is crispy 亨德尔的含羞草

3. Lizzy Hadfield and Buffy’s: Followed Lizzy from her house tour on Youtube to Buffy’s, where she tracks her impeccable aesthetics and taste in books.

Check out her peer-sourced Google Map of books based on places.

A Global Reading List

4. Wearstlerworld: I’ve always loved Kelly Wearstler’s interior design content. Her substack is an extension of her brand and includes all kinds of fashion and travel gems. Here is a timely post for Valentine's Day.

THE NEW PLAYBOOK FOR LOVE

5. As Seen On: Because I need to understand Gen-Z trends to keep up with the Gen Alpha I’m raising. And this Substack keeps me up to date and is fun to read. Important context, such as the latest post below. *Gyatt*

   big butts are still in demand

I promise serious analysis will return next week, but I hope you enjoyed these recommended light readings.

Until then,

Ivy