The Week That Was: Pairing Global Awareness With Local Action

Plus weekly recommendations.

Feb 17, 2025

The Week That Was is a Monday letter crafted for those who seek to live with intention and curiosity. In each edition, I share a curated collection of recommendations, moments & musings from my week, and a question for you to take a moment of reverie.

For the richest reading experience, I recommend viewing the newsletter in the Substack app or expanding the email for full content.

All of this is to say: balance the global and the local.

Life in the U.S. today feels like an exercise in duality. There are moments of lightness—laughter over dinner, the quiet thrill of planning for the future—interrupted by the unrelenting tide of the news cycle, a stark reminder of all that demands attention. History suggests this balance is nothing new; even in the bleakest times, people have sought and needed joy to carry on. And yet, the guilt lingers—that I was out there, savoring life, when perhaps I should have been doing more, reading more, advocating more.

Last weekend, I spent the afternoon volunteering with a local group distributing “Know Your Rights” materials to businesses in a predominantly Latino neighborhood. The event drew a crowd—many ready to help, even more gathering for the press conference in solidarity. We split into teams, handing out small info cards for employees, bold red “STOP” posters for staff-only rooms, and window signs declaring support. I expected hesitation, the usual skepticism that comes with canvassing. Instead, doors opened easily. Business owners welcomed the materials with gratitude. We ran out long before our shift ended—a reminder that, even in uncertain times, people are willing to stand together.

Over brunch—halloumi drizzled with spicy habanero honey—a friend offered a thought that has stayed with me: the most meaningful impact often starts close to home. Raising money for local organizations, supporting neighbors, and taking action in our immediate communities create tangible change. My interests have always been global—human rights, sustainable development, the complexities of world affairs—but staying informed at that scale can feel overwhelming. To remain engaged without becoming paralyzed, I need to balance the macro with the micro, pairing global awareness with local action. One sustains the other.

I wonder if there’s a study on this—would it fall under neuroscience or philosophy? Perhaps it’s simply about scale. When you’re tapped into local philanthropy and activism, impact is evident. You see results, meet the people driving change, and witness the progress firsthand. I sit on a giving council that supports grassroots organizations working with women, girls, trans, and non-binary individuals. Our grants are small—often the first funding these organizations receive—but they are catalytic. A few thousand dollars can launch a program, expand services, or allow a team to take their work to the next level. These organizations may not be widely known, but to those they serve, they are essential.

Last week, we ran a Galentine’s social media fundraiser using a bingo board: squares marked $1, $2, $5, $10—small contributions adding up to $100. The goal was simple: fill the board with tiny donations. I loved this campaign because it embodied grassroots action—proof that every dollar counts. That impact doesn’t have to be grand to be meaningful. Change can start with $1, one hour, one phone call, one conversation, and one action.

All of this is to say: balance the global and the local. The sweeping movements and the quiet ripples. The systems that demand disruption and the gentle, steady work of building something better. The loud calls for change and the unnoticed gestures that shape a community, one moment at a time.

Leave a comment

curated finds that inspire, delight, and enrich

Han Kang, the first Korean author and the first Asian woman to win the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature, continues to captivate with her exploration of historical trauma and human fragility. Kang’s writing, haunting yet exquisitely restrained, delves into the political violence, grief, and memory that shape both personal and collective histories. Her latest novel, We Do Not Part, released in English in January 2025, follows a woman, Kyungha, on a mission to rescue her friend’s white bird amidst a relentless snowstorm. As the journey becomes a psychological descent, the novel blurs the lines between myth and reality, past and present. Centered around the 1948 Jeju Massacre, We Do Not Part explores generational trauma, weaving the silences of history into a powerful meditation on memory and identity. Kang’s prose demands to be witnessed, cementing her as one of the most vital voices in contemporary literature. (You can read a longer review on this and all the other books I read in January in this post.)
Prada’s Ten Protagonists campaign for Spring/Summer 2025 has captivated me with its thoughtful blend of fashion and literature. The project features ten short stories by acclaimed author Ottessa Moshfegh, starring Carey Mulligan and photographed by Steven Meisel. Beyond showcasing garments, this campaign delves into the complexities of identity and self-perception, blurring the lines between character and wearer. The concept of plurality, central to the collection, celebrates individual, character-driven dressing, where pieces reflect personal stories rather than a single, uniform look. Moshfegh, known for her unapologetically raw portrayals of women, created ten unique characters—each a Prada persona, embodied by Mulligan’s versatile presence. From Patricia, a corporate translator in a rumpled pink Oxford shirt, to Alina, a programmer with a taste for glitches, the characters are as unpredictable as Moshfegh’s heroines, each one exploring a facet of femininity that is as layered and dynamic as the clothing itself. Encased in a limited-edition Prada publication, this campaign reaffirms fashion’s power as a storytelling medium, echoing the house’s legacy of artistic innovation. In Prada’s world, women are more than muses—they are living narratives, masterpieces in motion.
Grace Beverly’s Working Hard, Hardly Working podcast is a must-listen. I’ve been making my way through episodes recently, and each one has been a delight. Highlights include her insightful chat with biohacker Kayla Barnes Lentz, the conversation with Holland Cooper founder Jada Holland Cooper, and the inspiring discussion with manifesting expert Roxie Nafousi. Beverly’s skepticism of anything too “woo-woo” adds a refreshing, grounded touch to these wellness conversations, making them feel far more relatable and approachable. It’s quickly become a favorite of mine.
I wasn’t aware that the former clothing brand Rhode had previously teamed up with West Elm for a summery home décor collection, but I’ve just discovered it—and just in time for the sale. The collection features beautiful sheet sets, tableware perfect for endless summer days, and an array of delightful cushions. I’m already eyeing pieces to bring that warm-weather charm into my home.
Without question, Aloha makes the best plant-based protein bar on the market—a sentiment the cashier at Fresh Thyme enthusiastically confirmed as I stocked up for the week.
Bella Freud’s home is every bit as eclectic and captivating as you’d expect.