Erika Veurink is a writer, creative strategist, and host of EV Salon. She’s from Iowa and lives in Brooklyn.

I hosted an EV Salon a week ago and still feel inspired by the women that came out. All my friends are experts of their own tiny worlds, so seeing them come together and share opinions, make magic happen, etc, it's my favorite thing.

I value my work ethic. My dad worked incredibly hard for the fifteen years I knew him before he passed, and I feel close to him when I'm making shit happen.

People overvalue being busy. The older I get, the more I dream of the creativity that comes from a cleared schedule.

Taking care of yourself the way you would someone you adore. And practically, cheap massages on the regular.

I grew up landlocked in the Midwest, so water and I have a funny relationship. I'm certainly a lake girl. The amount of prep and the hauling that a day at the beach requires always feels a bit dramatic compared to bringing a sandwich down to the dock and jumping in when you get hot. Other than that, steam showers weird me out. Cold plunges scare me. Facial steaming makes me feel decadent. Rain water still feels poetic, even in New York. Snow soothes me. I prefer water without ice.

I wish I could be the kind of person who turns off their phone at 7p for a candlelit dinner most nights.

LOL I love this—Rothy's Mary Janes, a big blue and white striped button down, Gerolsteiner Mineral Water, an Eve Babitz collection, Cartier two-tone tank, Monastery Attar Floral Concentrate Balm, Odeon baseball hat, Rayban mega wayfarers, moleskin Cahier Journals, basket bag, le labo Thé Noir 29 Eau de Parfum, salty dark chocolate, the eBay and Substack apps (am I doing this right???)

Mostly I'm just trying to convince myself that I'm the kind of person who could really benefit from a freezing cold minute at the end of the shower. My shower thoughts are internal dialogue as to why I deserve to stay nice and toasty for the full duration.