It’s been raining in LA this week, and that’s always a violent reminder of just how spoiled we are to live in Southern California. It wasn’t sunny for two whole days, and we’re all collectively losing our minds.

The other day it was sunny and 58 degrees, and I asked my husband if this is what it felt like to live on the East Coast. I’m pretty sure his eyes rolled so far back behind his head he couldn’t see straight.

Needless to say, I’m a baby, and I don’t think I’d survive on the East Coast.

I love this and will be stealing it immediately.

Life has been good these days, which feels slightly nerve-wracking—I realize how incredibly strange that sounds after I type it. There's a Brené Brown clip where she talks about how she thinks joy is one of the most terrifying human emotions, and I've been thinking about it a lot.

You ever think, 'Life’s going great, work’s good, relationships are fine,' and then wonder, 'Wait, is something bad about to happen?'

In moments of joy, we try to beat vulnerability to the punch. Meaning, you’re not able to fully embrace a moment of joy because you’re scared it will be taken away. She calls it 'dress rehearsing tragedy.'

Uhh..hi, my name is Deema, and I like to dress rehearse tragedy too.

Brene says that joyful people also get that shutter in their stomach during the moments mentioned above, but instead, they practice gratitude in those moments.

Thanks, Brene. Point taken.

(In order from left to right)

1. Playlist: I typed “Crowded House radio” on Spotify and I got the best playlist ever—not sure if they assort them at random, and if you’ll get the exact same songs, but I LOVED it.

2. Evy Poumpouras: Loved this episode on Diary of a CEO. She’s a former special agent and covered a variety of issues from the dangers of getting easily offended, to not asking for too many opinions.

3. Andrew Schulz: If you like stand-up comedy, I enjoyed this! (Netflix)

4. Gap and the Gain: If you’re an overachiever, please read this—great insights on happiness too.

The internet has been taken by storm with shows like Love Is Blind and The White Lotus, which have raised the question of whether you can maintain a relationship (romantic or platonic) with someone whose political beliefs are more incompatible than your favorite jeans after Thanksgiving dinner. Especially during these times.

After giving it a lot of thought, there’s one trait that’s a dealbreaker for me. It’s the reason a friendship came to an end last year.