December Life
Facetuning Gone Wrong (and facelifts), AI Psychosis, Bird Cameras, and more!
Hello,
The last newsletter of 2025!
I realized this morning that a lot of us have been together for 12 years now. TWELVE! That’s how long I’ve been writing a form of this newsletter and started (the first iteration of) the podcast. I can’t even believe it’s been that long.
I hope you know how much I appreciate you listening to the podcasts, buying my books, showing up to events, reading things I maybe shouldn’t have shared (publicly), and stuck around as I tried new things. And more importantly, sharing about your own life with me.
The last few years has brought great things and also some pretty rough stuff - lots of behind-the-scenes things I don’t share here. Serious family health issues, my own health issues, and navigating another iteration of myself.
With the roughness, one of the things that’s remained constant (and helping me keep it together) is having a connection with everyone here. Sharing lists I think you’ll like, interviewing people you’ll find interesting, and trying to make sure no one feels alone out there (because that helps me, too).
Thank you.
Thank you.
Twelve years!
I’ll talk to you in the new year.
In the meantime, find some fun links below!
Love,
Jessica
The Things That Freaked My Week
Some things I’m currently thinking about / loving…
INSIDE
A Pool Of Perfection in Paris via Print
This truly is perfect. Click, scroll down, and watch the video. Magic.
Is it weird facelifts are becoming normalized, or am I being too judgmental? by Jessica DeFino via The Guardian
“I don’t need or want a facelift – but lately I feel like I’m being made to want a facelift.”
The Moment trailer
While I’m not really a Charli XCX listener, I’m very into watching this.
Pluribus
This show is so good. Get that Apple TV free trial now and binge it before the finale.
AI / ChatGPT Psychosis
I’ve been reading about this topic a lot over the past few weeks - how people who have never had mental illness before are having psychotic breaks, harming themselves, and becoming paranoid. This might sound like me being an alarmist, but the data proves otherwise.
We need to understand how to use this tech in a healthy way. The companies making it don’t care, so we have to.
Some reads:
• OpenAI Says Hundreds of Thousands of ChatGPT Users May Show Signs of Manic or Psychotic Crisis Every Week via Wired
• They Asked an A.I. Chatbot Questions. The Answers Sent Them Spiralingvia NYT (gift link)
• This 4-question quiz from Stanford psychiatrists can help protect from the dangers of AI via Fortune (via Yahoo to get around the paywall)
• Chatbots Can Go Into a Delusional Spiral. Here’s How It Happens via NYT(gift link)
In lighter news!!
Rose launched a yearly membership / club. I’d buy this in a heartbeat if I had a little extra 1K around. It’s such a good deal! And I am a sucker for getting surprises in the mail. With the hemp ban headed our way in 2026, this is a really cool initiative (and maybe a great way to stockpile a bit).
If anyone out there is reading this and wants to know what I want for Christmas…this would be it.
OUTSIDE
Behold Wildlife Camera
When AI feels ok. SO COOL to see the process of developing it (product design and technology) with Pentagram.
How to make a Christmas wreath: a florist’s step-by-step guide via House & Garden
Chic and high-end looking wreaths, not pouporri-thrown-on-a-ring-looking wreaths.
The Little Seed Company Reimagining How Seeds Are Produced
A beautiful thing.
Johnny’s Seeds 2026 Catalog
It’s here!!!! My physical copy hasn’t arrived in the mail yet, so using this one to start planning this year’s warm season cut garden in my head.
Good Nature: Why Seeing, Smelling, Hearing, and Touching Plants is Good for Our Health by Kathy Willis
Fourth on my reading list (I have a big stack I am working through).
Final Episodes Of This Season!
The podcast will be back in February.
Season Finale! Celebrity Gardens + Is Facetuning An Art or Out of Control with Emily Kirkpatrick aka I Heart Mess
Favorite parts: Discussing how fashion writers aren’t always super fashionable, the art of Facetuning (and the weird / dark side of it), and playing the game “Does this celebrity actually do their own gardening?” A very fun epsiode!
Listen on Apple, Spotify, or on my website!
How To Connect With Nature When You Don’t Like Gardening + Dealing with Content Fatigue and Decreased Attention Spans with Ruby Warrington
Favorite parts: Ruby feeling bad telling me she is not into gardening (it’s ok!), but also sharing the ways she still connects with nature, connecting sober curious with disconnecting from the internet/social media, content overload (am I part of the problem?), and why reading novels has been a game changer for Ruby’s brain / attention span.
Listen on Apple, Spotify, or on my website!
One last thank you to this season’s sponsors: Semaine Health, My July, and Week Of The Website!
Talk to you in 2026!!
And some books by me:
One Part Plant: A Guide to Eating Real One Meal At a Time
Know Your Endo: An Empowering Guide To Health + Hope With Endometriosis