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Paola Cadena Pardo's avatar

Beautifully written! However, I don’t think we are necessarily this or that, but we can be both. I definitely think in moods, in metaphors, in color, I’m ruled by curiosity, derailed by beauty, etc, but I’m also tend to be efficient, decisive, I never miss a deadline, and I carry highlighters in my bags. ☺️

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Karla's avatar

This is so beautifully put together. I'm realising as I get older that I'm absolutely a mix of both sides -- leaning more into the spreadsheet brain for my personal mental clarity, but seemingly valuing my palette brain more and more as I try to slow down in a world that puts so much stress and value on getting to the next "big thing" quickly.

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Theresa-Joy's avatar

This is so beautifully written. I didn’t want to stop reading because I just so enjoyed the feeling of being seen! Feeling forced to function in a spreadsheet world has been horrible, I’m just looking forward to navigating how I can create an environment in which my palette brain is my superpower and embraced. The best essay I’ve read in a while, thank you for getting me through today 🫶

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Teddi's avatar

Learning how to bring your colors into the room without a apology.Lavender is a obsession and should be in all public washrooms I absolutely love this I will borrow this and sit with it

Thank You

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Lia's avatar

Palette brain!! I love how you described it! I’ve always felt different from my other friends because they are definitely more spreadsheet than me. I feel so seen 💜

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Matilde Battisti's avatar

"your brain isn’t less valuable. it’s just softer, and that softness is necessary in a world obsessed with sharpness." is just all I need in my life. 💙

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Olivia Duckworth's avatar

love this ! been slowly shifting into spreadsheet brain as I get older — and delightfully finding it's giving structure to flow + to exist in palette brain without guilt or rush. been a special paradox of a thing.

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B.'s avatar

this is how i am too! i use my spreadsheet brain to create structure in my life so that i can lean into my palette brain more effortlessly.

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Carolyn Thompson's avatar

I love this! Beautifully writes Anna always. Makes me understand me and my husband and son better. They are waaaay more spreadsheet than me. I think I’m 80% palette. And I’m slowly making peace with this, in our speedy data digital efficiency driven world.

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Aliyah's avatar

Wow!! I’m really into personality tests , so this is my kind of thing. This is brilliant . I feel like you should write a book about this and make a quiz . Thanks for the prompts. I’ll do some journaling tomorrow!

So many times I’ve felt like I’m lazy or lacking when I can’t do things like plan trips, or be neat and careful in my work. But we have our own strengths, we contribute in our own way, we make the world colorful and full of sensory experiences, empathy and art and beauty. I love the line “turn spreadsheets into stories” because that describes me so perfectly!! I also love how you included science in this. I love this so much

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Gift Okocha's avatar

I got your mail, honestly there's thing about sending a mail that makes the recipient feel special. Thank you for sharing, this was just what I needed to see as this time. As someone with a palette brain, I'm so grateful that you chose to share at this time because I get pretty busy later in the day. Again, thank you for sharing, now I'm more self aware and it'll help me treat myself with more grace.

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cerillas's avatar

"follow the vibe, not the plan" this is incredibly useful to me when i am about to do something under the social pressure to do it. it spark me joy or some pleasurable feeling? i reallyreally need to do this? can i make this moment more beautiful? if not, big no!

i really enjoyed this post, truly we can embrace a more emotional way of living and that is ok too! hugs 🍪💌

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Zoe's avatar

while I do think that most of us lie somewhere inbetween these two (or maybe that's just me) I heavily related to the way you descrived the palette brain - I always say you I don't think or dream in pictures but in feelings and I can't describe this any other way but I love "watercolor brain" as an attribute omg

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aura ☕️'s avatar

This is such an interesting approach to the human mind! I believe I’m a little bit of both at this point of my life and I love the balance it creates for my soul.

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Gerald G.'s avatar

Hey there!! Wonderful article. I have learn lots and the truth about the fact that I am a definite palette brain. Refreshing to see someone who understands the struggle!! Thanks for this and looking forward to similar articles!! Chao!! :-)

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Jade Kealani Snow's avatar

Wowwwww! I had to stop and re-read several of these paragraphs over again because they resonated SO deeply with me, as well as the dynamic between my husband and I. To consider these ways of thinking and operating a flaw for so long and then have it painted in the most whimsical, nurturing way...was a gift for other palette brain creatives like myself. Thank you for making space for all of us in this community and helping us all to feel seen 🥹🩷

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Pooja Gangakhedkar's avatar

This is so wholesome, I feel seen.

I could never decide what to name my playlists so I choose emojis for every feelings. ✨❤️

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