Fitness Jerks, Walking like Michael Ende’s Momo and the Return of the Mullet
"Time is life itself, and life resides in the human heart.” – Michael Ende, Momo
Hi guys,
I'm back from Mallorca. What a wonderful island - and quite contrary to the media focus on the binge drinking tourists. That's really only a very small part of what Mall
Now I'm back in Berlin with three content gems for you. Ever wondered why some fitness enthusiasts turn into grim, judgemental jerks? Well, read the article below, and you might have some self reflection moments like me.
And then I found two quirky videos for you. One is about a Belgian festival celebrating the mullet – yes, a festival dedicated to ab ‘80s hairstyle that I hoped died out for good. The other video is a bit more helpful. It explores why you should consider walking backwards more often – like Michael Jackson. But leave the crutch-hand thing out. Nobody wants to see (or hear) that.
Cheers, Katie
Getting Fit Could Turn You into a Right-Wing Jerk
Yoga, Pilates, salsa dancing, I've had my fair share of obsessions. And when I say obsession, I mean it. At one point, my passion for salsa even led me to live in Colombia for almost two years. (I wrote about that experience here).
As enriching as these obsessions have been, I've come to realise that they've also made me a bit selfish. There's nothing wrong with putting yourself first, but not when you don't have time for your friends because you're too busy practising whatever it is you're practising.
I recently read an insightful piece by Zoe Williams in The Guardian that really struck a chord with me. She discussed how modern wellness and sports cultures can turn you into a right-wing idiot. Although nothing in the world could make me a right-winger, I definitely had nasty thoughts about others during my obsessive phases.
It's so easy to feel like you've got it all figured out when you're riding the high of regular training and wrongly blaming others for not doing enough.
This article is a great read that reminds me once again that pushing yourself to the limit is almost never a good idea - for your mind, your body and, most importantly, for the society we live in.
Who should read it? Everyone with the tendency to obsessive sport phases
Here is the article: Getting fit is great – but it could turn you into a rightwing jerk
Time to invest: Around two minutes plus a lot of reflection time
Looking Like My Uncle from Gelsenkirchen in the 1980s
Taste is personal, I know. Yet, as I stroll through Berlin these days, it feels like I've time-travelled to my childhood. The '80s are making a comeback in its worst form. The mullet, or how we call it Germany Vokuhila ('front short, back long'), is everywhere – worn by everyone from the supermarket clerk to the bus driver. They all look like a weird version of my uncle Jochen back in the 80s. I always hoped this style wouldn’t resurface when flipping through old childhood photos.
But here we are and no one is listening to you, Jonathan. Sadly. People are pushing it even further by organising festivals and creating a lifestyle and mindset around the 'fabulous' mullet. Unbelievable, right? But it's true, as you can see from the festival video.
Who should watch it? Fans of the 80s + Uncle Jochen
Here is the video: Proud mullet-wearers embrace their style at Belgium festival
Time to invest: 1 Minute of pure 80s flash back, enjoy
Walking like Michael Ende’s Momo Could Improve Your Memory
When I meet someone for the first time, I almost always forget their name. It's embarrassing, but my brain seems to think that names are trivial, unworthy of space. Instead, it prefers to store stories, relationships, who you've dated, or the strangest job you've ever had. Yes, I remember these details, even if we only met once, years ago.
But greeting someone with "Hey, you're the saxophone player who also bartended at a strip club in Mexico City, right?" might work as an icebreaker in a bar, but it's hardly practical for introducing a new client. Saying "Hey, tech guy, coffee addict and FC Barcelona fan" doesn't help much in a professional Zoom call.
So I should do something about it. Like walking backwards, as I recently learned from a BBC video. I mean, sure, the British invented the Ministry of Silly Walks, and my favourite children's author, Michael Ende, also knew how powerful walking backwards is. Remember when Momo walked backwards with 🐢 to escape the sinister men in grey? I mean, she literally walked BACK IN TIME. Michael Ende, genius.
Who should watch it? Dreamers like me
Here is the video: How to improve your memory?
Time to invest: 3.35 minutes full of advice on how to remember things better.