Whether you’re reading a report in a local train or plugged in in a busy conference room, this could be the tool to help you tune out noise
Representation Pic
Curated by Christalle Fernandes, Neerja Deodhar, and Gautam S Mengle
ADVERTISEMENT
From the clinking of cups to the invigorating aroma of coffee, there’s something about cafes that makes them excellent backdrops for hours of productive work, whether you’re a writer, coder, or anyone who needs a dose of caffeine and focus. And we know how tough it can be to work in an open office set up, or at home with a dozen distractions at play. If you miss the vibe of your favourite coffee shop, check out the interactive website I Miss My Cafe: a sleek, minimalist virtual getaway. It allows users to recreate the aural atmosphere of a cafe through the addition and subtraction of elements such as the barista and machinery, bringing those familiar ASMR sounds. It also lets you control the seasons, imitating the pitter-patter of raindrops. Whether you’re reading a report in a local train or plugged in in a busy conference room, this could be the tool to help you tune out noise. The coffee, however, is strictly BYOB.
imissmycafe.com
Mic drop moments
Think of it as a live podcast-meets-TEDx Talk. The Moth isn’t just entertainment. It’s a non-profit enterprise where ordinary people take centre stage with a microphone and a true, unscripted story. And you’re not just listening; you’re also part of the magic. The energy of a crackling room, the shared laughs and tears, it’s all contagious. And you can experience all of this from your living room, or even during daily commute. Based in the United Kingdom, The Moth hosts story-telling sessions all across the country and uploads all the sessions on their website. There is also an online storytelling slam where you submit your true stories and, if you get lucky, tell it online to a live audience.
themoth.org
Groove and grow
Okay, we’ll admit: we scoffed the first time we heard about it. A horizontal plank of metal and fibre with grooves to target different muscle groups for a complete upper-body workout? But then this writer remembered his own fitness journey, which started in the pandemic with only basic body-weight exercises, followed by adjustable dumbbells of various weights, and the learning that came as the workout regimen progressed to intense. So we decided to give it a shot, and we’re glad we did. Regular push-ups can get dull. With the board, you affix the handles into different grooves and each variation of push ups targets a separate muscle group—chest, shoulders, back, and triceps. How do we know? The body speaks: A satisfying burn across your chest, a searing fire in the shoulders. It’s like a built-in applause meter, motivating you to push harder. You will still need to balance out your weeks with equally intense lower body workouts, but for those unable to go to a gym or to devote more than 30 to 40 minutes to fitness, this is one useful piece of equipment.
Mark time, prettily
The passage of time can be disconcerting but not if you have an aesthetic calendar sitting on your desk. When we saw these tiny typewriter calendars (Rs 599) by SkyGoodies.Co, we fell in love. Lightweight and portable, they have been designed as a sheet of paper being typed on. It stands just 10 cm high, and has to be assembled manually. The cardboard calendar comes in the form of punch-out sheets with assembly instructions. The cutest DIY project, we think! Additionally, they also have a mini sewing machine desk calendar, a toaster-themed one in which the calendar is the toast, and a pianoforte… you guessed it, the music sheet has dates. And if you want more tiny, adorable goodies, the store also has tiny matchbook notebooks, designed with Indian truck graphics and street art aesthetics.
in.skygoodies.co