Is Perfection Overrated?

Writing this from LaGuardia...

GM everyone I am currently at the airport waiting to board a plane to Florida. I just had to check my bag because my Aesop cleanser was too large. Here is a shortlist of things that people shouldn’t be doing at the airport early in the morning—

• Drinking beers

• Eating candy

• Talking loudly

• Smelling bad (the day is young how are you so stinky so early??)

• Being rude

I haven’t been to Florida in a few years so I am excited to give a full scene report on Monday. But until then let’s dive into some news—

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News

• GQ held their 2nd annual ‘Global Creativity Awards’ last night. Okay not to be a hater but this fake award show GQ holds is just like Soho House’s creativity awards last year. Its so vague as to what is being awarded or celebrated beyond ‘creativity’ and the ‘stars’ being held regard are people like Danny McBride who have no real relevance to what is being created in the current discourse. Here’s a photo of Zack Bia from last night, look fun to you?

• Want to move to Florida to escape Manhattan rent? Not so fast. Bloomberg is reporting that those fleeing high cost of living areas like NYC for Florida are really not saving that much money. Those earning $100,000+ may experience some savings without the personal income tax, but the surge in new residents post-COVID is raising housing and rent costs, which leaves those moving with little net gain. I’m going to compare how much I spend a weekend in Manhattan with how much I spend this weekend and see if I save money. Maybe I’ll even gain some gambling tonight.

• Future has a new album out. I’ll be taking a listen on the plane. My group chat is changing their tune saying crazy things like, “F*ck Drake” For me, its OVO till I die.

• Maybe wellness culture has reached its peak? A new study is showing that society may be getting sick of wellness and constant improvement. 89% believe the current definition of wellness needs to change and 68% of 13–39-year-olds feel wellness culture overly values perfection. The Huberman-style optimizer may have a natural foil in the ‘healthy hedonist’ aka someone who believes indulgence is the path to a happier life.

  The past few years, social media and a crop of gyms, treatments, and supplements have pushed people to a breaking point and many are throwing in the towel on striving for perfection. I am sort of torn on this, as someone who does strive for perfection, it can be very hard to let go of a routine and indulge. Letting go of my laptop, and constantly being connected to work and the discourse is akin to an amputation.

  I thrive on high pressure situations, working, exercising, early mornings, and copious caffeine and nicotine. But sometimes its good to sit back, relax, and soak in the sun and take a deep breath, to gain a new perspective.

  I am going to try that this weekend… I’ll report back if it works.

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Who Do You Know? is a daily newsletter covering marketing, business, branding, products, design, founders, and culture.

Its written by Jake Bell, a content marketing and brand strategist in NYC.

To get in touch visit www.jb.studio or email jake@jb.studio