on the list 📔
Erin Nystrom on her iPhone = dumb phone and blowing up her life to write
Erin Nystrom writes Human, being on Substack, where she has found rapid success after several well-deserved viral articles. She frequently muses on how to be a human, how to tend to your human vessel, and how the whole point of the human experience is based on play, joy and simplicity. Erin is based in Oregon and has a pragmatic, playful approach to life, humanity and writing while highlighting where we have gotten it all wrong. Let’s see what inspires her...
What’s on your to-do list today?
Today, I need to do my monthly bookkeeping, go to the apothecary, fold my laundry, post a substack note, text back a friend (yes, I add this to my to-do list instead of just doing it when I’m thinking about it. Don’t judge!), finish a newsletter, do my peptide injection, and… do this interview!
(Work stuff is on a separate list)
What’s one thing you’ve already crossed off?
It’s the end of the day, so it’s mostly all crossed off (except bookkeeping. Oops)
Do you write lists on paper, in notes, in your head, or not at all?
THANKS FOR ASKING I’D LOVE TO TELL YOU.
I turned my iPhone into a dumbphone a few months ago, so the first page of my home screen is an interactive to-do list using an app called Synctasks. The best part is I put an add tasks shortcut on my lock screen, so I don’t even have to open my phone to add tasks. I love it so much.
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
Scrape my tongue (After peeing, of course)
What’s always on your bedside table?
The book I’m currently reading, my journal, the RMS Lipnights Overnight Lip Mask (if you have dry lips, this is my holy grail item), my analogue alarm clock (for a phone-free bedroom!)
How do you like your mornings to feel?
Slowwww. I’ve been that way since I was a kid. I’d rather wake up early and take my time easing into the day unrushed than wake up and feel like I have to quickly collect myself. Mood lighting, music, a little stretch, warm lemon water + shilajit, and a warm breakfast before starting the day!
What’s in your mug or on your plate today?
I started my period today, so I made myself a tea with hibiscus, nettle, ginger, fennel, Kapoor tulsi, and rose. I also fixed myself my favorite period treat: Dates stuffed with ghee, ceylon cinnamon, saffron, and flakey salt.
My husband is making chili for dinner right now.
Something you’ve stopped doing and don’t miss?
Yoga.
What are you working on that excites you right now?
Well, I’m currently in the midst of blowing up my life to focus on writing more (and a potential book!) and it’s so scary but SO thrilling.
How do you know you’re in alignment in your work?
When things just start flowing and a lot of synchronicities start to happen. I had to do a lot of work to figure out what “alignment” even looked like for me. There has been so many times over the years where I thought I was in alignment, but I was really operating out of fear, or scarcity, or doing what I thought I was “supposed” to do. But once I started putting my time and energy into what felt most authentic, things just started happening in a really magical, almost spooky way.
How do you rest or recharge during the day?
I organize my days in a way that really helps me manage my energy. Most days, I break my day in to two-hour chunks for work, followed by lunch or a walk or 5 minutes to get up and cross something off my list. It’s kind of inspired by the Pomodoro technique but I don’t do the 20 min on/5 min off thing because I work best if I can hyper focus on something.
How do you like to end your day?
After 5:30 PM is sacred time. Work goes away, I make dinner while listening to music or a podcast, make some tea, either watch a show if we’re currently watching something, play a game, take a bath, or just chill and talk, stretch or so some soft-tissue work, do my skin care routine, lay with my legs up the wall for 10-15 min while I do some down-regulating breathing, journal, read, clock.
What’s currently on your nightstand / playlist / altar?
The Untethered Soul (I’m sorry but I’m kind of hating it?) / my
witchy winter playlist / I don’t have an altar :(
Thank you for sharing your list with us.
Last question ~ what links can people find you at?
IG: @erinnystrom_