essays everyone should read

stop scrolling and read some more

Happy Sunday to all those reading, I have been trying to be rather intentional about what I read and have come across some lovely essays that have reshaped my thinking, made me feel something and scratched an itch in my brain to say the least. Some were happy accidents, others came as heartfelt recommendations from friends.

Listening to Yana’s EP titled Amy as I wrote this. The EP consists of a track list that feels like swinging in the park on a slow Sunday afternoon. Soft vocals, almost with a melancholic vibrato, a perfect accompaniment to this read.

Now, let this act as a checkpoint for you to stop doomscrolling and deep dive into some of these electric recommendations. Read along and tell me which ones you like the most.

1. “Self-respect: Its Source, Its Power” by Joan Didion

   Didion’s essays are exceptionally remarkable, with the insights provided and stylistic choice of writing. Every reader and writer girl’s dream woman, Didion’s piece on self respect was first published in Vogue in 1961. It delves into the concept of self-respect, emphasizing its importance beyond societal approval. She reflects on personal experiences, to illustrate the internal challenges of maintaining self-respect. The essay highlights that self-respect is a discipline, a habit of mind that can be developed and is crucial for personal freedom and authenticity. A must read.

2. "Cities and Ambition" by Paul Graham
   On Chris Williamson’s podcast, Naval Ravikant argues that one of the most overlooked yet crucial factors shaping a person’s quality of life is the city they choose to live in, which is one of the top three decisions that quietly defines everything else. Paul Graham masterfully reveals the invisible force field of ambition that shapes not just careers but identities in different cities. This eye-opening exploration makes visible the subtle messages each metropolis broadcasts about success therefore potentially changing how you view your own location and aspirations.

3. “A Designer’s Guide to Climate Tech” by Designer Fund

   I’ve really appreciated Enrique Allen’s work with Designer Fund in championing design-led entrepreneurship, and with YC’s latest Request for Startups where Aaron Epstein argues that “the design job of the future will be founder”, this piece feels especially timely. It’s a must-read for creative professionals who want to take ownership to build, solve, and lead in response to humanity’s most pressing challenges. Far from vague eco-jargon, it demystifies the climate tech space and pinpoints exactly where design can create disproportionate impact. It translates overwhelming environmental issues into clear, actionable opportunities. Perfectly turning anxiety into agency. As I navigate my own next steps, I keep returning to this as a practical, grounded resource. For designers looking to align their careers with planetary and impactful purpose, this is the blueprint.

4. "Stevey's Google Platforms Rant" by Steve Yegge
   I read this internal memo on my boyfriend’s recommendation and I have to say — it is a classic, compelling read. This one veers into a space that might feel unfamiliar to some of you, but trust me, it is so worth the detour. Steve Yegge delivers a razor-sharp, somewhat hilarious critique of how tech giants fumble (or master) platform building. Even if you're not deep in tech, the wit, metaphors, and unfiltered honesty make it an unexpectedly gripping read for anyone thinking about systems, scale, or strategy. I didn’t entirely believe my boyfriend when he said that this kept him hooked until the end, but he was right — Steve’s writing begs for my attention and I couldn’t help but stay put and read it all in one sitting.

5. "Why Time Felt Slower When We Were Kids" by Yana Yuhai
   Yana, a neuroscience student at Harvard, writes Mindbox on here, a newsletter that unpacks how the brain works through topics that actually matter to everyday life: the endless scroll, time’s strange elasticity, and more. In this edition, she delves into why childhood summers felt infinite while adult years seem to vanish in a blur. The Oddball Effect, The Proportional Theory and much more. A fascinating, accessible read for anyone who wonders Where’d All The Time Go?

6. "The Power of the Quiet Ego" by The Atlantic
   Run to read this! I recently subscribed to Dr Brooks’ column on How to Build a Life and it really is everything. Forget all what you've been told about the necessity of self-promotion. Challenging the conventional wisdom, this paradigm-shifting article presents compelling evidence that the path to both achievement and fulfillment lies not in ego inflation but in its thoughtful calibration. Indeed, a revolutionary concept for our self-obsessed age. It reminds me of that Jemima Kirke Instagram AMA where she claims that “thinking too much about oneself” is what has been keeping us not as confident.

   

   jemima you were right, i am afraid

7. "Easter in Three Places" by Patti Smith
   A not-so-subtle nudge, but you should absolutely subscribe to Patti’s newsletter. It’s warm, lyrical, and quietly luminous, much like her. She is known for reshaping the rock music scene, but her voice as a writer is just as powerful. This particular essay comes from her time in Japan, and it’s a transcendent meditation on time, ritual, and place. Patti weaves seasonal traditions into profound reflections on mortality and renewal, making you see your own rituals in a new light. Brew yourself something warm and comforting because this one is meant to be savored.

8. "What Do Women Want" by Antonia Bentel
   Antonia has been one of my favourite writers on here and this essay is a revelatory deconstruction of our culture's most persistent and misunderstood question — What Do Women Want? Peeling back centuries of assumption to expose how female desire has been systematically misinterpreted, with implications that extend far beyond romantic relationships into every sphere of modern life.

9. "Earnest Is Punk" by Harnidh Kaur
   An essay from Harnidh’s newsletter, this explores how in an age of ironic detachment, genuine enthusiasm is the true rebellion.If you’ve seen what that Timothée Chalamet’s SAG Awards speech did to some parts of the internet, you will know that being unapologetically earnest, hungry to grow, and deeply committed to your craft isn’t cringe anymore. It’s the new currency of cool. The crux is that earnestness has become our most countercultural stance, therefore it is a daring choice to care deeply when cynicism is the safer path. A refreshing and inspiring read.

While this list wraps up for now, my reading and sharing journey is far from over. I have many more essays across diverse topics that continue to challenge, inspire, and provoke thought. This feels like an important rescue for many still stuck on scrolling and possibly inducing a carpel tunnel issue while you’re at it. Let me know what you think about turning this into a monthly series with some curated essays worth your time, every month? My words will find you in the lulls and highs of your day soon enough, but until then — drink your tea, stay smart and sexy, stop doomscrolling and read another essay.