Asra
@asra_yousuf
Followers
433
Following
977
Media
66
Statuses
618
💭 about building a life around agency, creativity, and community. Product Manager by ☀️. writing @
San Francisco, CA
Joined February 2014
Don't wanna be here?
Send us removal request.
Explore trending content on Musk Viewer
Al Smith
• 352900 Tweets
Monsalve
• 230838 Tweets
Catholic
• 167943 Tweets
Boric
• 103189 Tweets
#النصر_الشباب
• 83373 Tweets
سالم
• 82068 Tweets
Jesus is Lord
• 78468 Tweets
Andrew Garfield
• 76626 Tweets
Peterson
• 69393 Tweets
Ginés
• 65705 Tweets
#TUDUMNaLata
• 61447 Tweets
ebony
• 33464 Tweets
Furkan
• 29570 Tweets
Amelia
• 28991 Tweets
Leeds
• 15234 Tweets
تاليسكا
• 13867 Tweets
FURIA EN CRUDO TV
• 12841 Tweets
Colapinto
• 12118 Tweets
Dortmund
• 11441 Tweets
But what if you actually use “delve” in your usual writing 😢
Should I unlearn my convent school education that stressed on fancy words and forget the GRE vocabulary that I had to acquire to get into this country, so that I don’t sound like ChatGPT?
Someone sent me a cold email proposing a novel project. Then I noticed it used the word "delve."
2K
932
9K
6
1
44
I came across this quote in one of
@startingfromnix
's posts:
"Don’t surround yourself with “smarter” people. The trick is to surround yourself with people who are free in ways you’re not."
Last night was about that. Inspired in so many ways!
Last night was the first installment of my Women Creatives Community Dinner ✨ intentional, curated small dinner to meet other creative and ambitious women in SF
Still so energized from our conversation
@harpriiya
@adele_bloch
@michelle__chiu
@asra_yousuf
@themeasures
& Aila
2
3
36
0
6
45
Around 2 yrs ago, I took
@sama
’s YC class on “How to start a startup”. I had recently moved to Silicon Valley and something about this place made me curious enough to do the course. I was revisiting some of my notes and decided to share them as thread.
Lecture 1 of 20 👇
1
11
43
@patriciamou_
Absolutely resonate with this. Especially “It may feel good when you’re doing it, but empty afterwards.”. One moment you have a open, vulnerable conversation with someone and the next moment you are back to being strangers.
3
2
32
I want to host salons- not about deep philosophical musings but about basic life stuff.
Like how to get your finances sorted, how to be more intentional with relationships, how to eat healthier/ cook better, etc. Learn through knowledge of others.
Is there any value to it?
7
0
28
@SuMastodon
@patriciamou_
This style of writing is a classic example. Everyone wants to sound smart by needlessly putting others down instead of just keeping their mouth shut
0
0
24
I’ve been reading ‘The Art of Gathering’ and it has led me appreciate how well the SF writing club at the
@thesfcommons
gathers. The host lays out the structure. Everyone shares their intention on what they plan to write about. There are no “what do you do for work?” (1/3)
3
1
22
The joy of seeing your work in print is a thousand times greater than hitting the publish button. My first ever zine 🎉
5
1
21
Listening to
@SahilBloom
&
@AliAbdaal
have a conversation about growth, investments, life, habits and routines, is such a delight. Some points that stuck with me from their recent podcast were 👇
2
0
16
@anuatluru
“Agency is oft misinterpreted as ambition, but I learned by observing these 2 types of people that they are quite different. Ambition means you're motivated to play games that others have already created in the world, while agency means you're driven to play a game of your own.”
1
0
13
Is it just me or does anyone else also have the urge to carry an iPad, a kindle, AND a book while traveling, coz you never know which book or form you’d like to read on your 3 hour flight? And then just end up napping!
0
0
14
Exactly a year ago, I was anxious about moving from a 1-bed apartment back to a shared living situation. It felt as if I was taking a step back vs going forward
Looking back it was a great decision!
Also a good reminder that social perception shouldn’t dictate life choices
1
0
13
Lessons from 'The Psychology Of Money'
My main takeaways- Thread:
1
3
12
Sharing nuances of your culture with others is so special! It makes you appreciate it more and helps others learn about aspects they might be unaware of.
Hosted an iftaar this weekend, where we spoke about the values behind Ramadan- discipline, community, charity, gratitude
2
2
12
I took my first solo trip to Sedona 2 yrs ago, and I was absolutely paranoid. Every hour was planned, every route mapped. Today I am in Zion for a couple of days and it’s a vastly different experience. I feel a lot more calm and confident. Maybe this is what growth looks like
3
0
11
I overthink a lot when combining friend circles- will they like each other? Will they be uncomfortable/ bored/ out of place?
But whenever I’ve done it, it’s worked out beautifully and my friendships have only gotten richer
3
0
10
Been 3 months of strength training at the gym
Earlier I was intimidated by the gym. Had no idea what to do & how.
I worked with a coach who gave me weekly plans, kept me accountable, and reviewed my progress.
Life hack: if you are struggling to start, get someone to guide you
1
0
10
Just returned from a wholesome trip to Banff with friends I first met 12 years ago and feeling extremely grateful for fate and a randomized hostel allocation system for bringing them in my life!
1
0
9
Had the idea to get people together and talk about crafting an intentional life.
This weekend we met to discuss personal finance- our relationship with money, financial goals we want to work towards, and how to leverage money as a tool for joy and growth. Some lessons 🧵
1
0
9
Getting together this Saturday afternoon to intentionally build better money habits.
If you are in SF and would like to join, let me know
Hosting the first of Just Life Salons series
Starting with one on Personal Finance since it is a topic that applies to all and we can each learn from one another.
If you were part of the discussion, what would be your top questions?
1
0
6
2
0
8
2 years ago I gifted my retired dad a ‘paint by numbers’ set. At first he resisted- “I don’t paint”.
After a month, he relented and picked up the brush. Since then, every room at home now has a painting by him, and he recently created a gallery wall with his smaller canvases.
3
0
6
Stages of a weekend with no plans- Denial: reach out to friends, find a show to watch. Discomfort: stare into nothingness having an existential crisis. Acceptance: enjoy the boredom. Transcend: get to procrastinated tasks. Eureka: when thoughts connect and ideas flow.
1
0
7
Got into flow state after ages while creating wireframes for the first time as part of an assignment for a product strategy course.
2
0
7
Stopped by a corner bookstore owned by an old man who enjoys building bookshelves, hence the name ‘books and bookshelves’
0
1
7
Over the years I have realized that who you work with is more important than what you are working on.
Finding people who are passionate about the problem, are fun to work with, energize you and support your growth is rare and priceless
2
0
7
I did a vision board exercise with a few friends last week. This was our second year doing it. I would highly encourage you to try it. Goals written on a doc remains buried in a folder, versus a visual board on your desk is a constant reminder of where you want to take your life.
1
1
7
Friend groups in your early 30s are so magical- everyone is in a different life stage but you are still connected. Single, married, having a baby, has a baby, going through a break-up, learning to ski, moving countries, balancing work-life, taking a break, traveling the world.
0
0
7
I feel so honored when a friend shares their stupid silly ideas and infatuations with me. So many people just bottle up these in their head, afraid of sounding stupid if they share.
Also makes me realize how unoriginal my thoughts sometimes are
3
0
7
Hosting the first of Just Life Salons series
Starting with one on Personal Finance since it is a topic that applies to all and we can each learn from one another.
If you were part of the discussion, what would be your top questions?
I want to host salons- not about deep philosophical musings but about basic life stuff.
Like how to get your finances sorted, how to be more intentional with relationships, how to eat healthier/ cook better, etc. Learn through knowledge of others.
Is there any value to it?
7
0
28
1
0
6
@AlexAndBooks_
Most of my physical copies are unread as they are impulsive buys when I find something interesting in a bookstore. But I also belief that every book has its time. So they are just hanging out waiting for their time!
0
0
6
One of my favorite rituals lately has been to do a monthly reflection on the last day of the month. I put a recurring invite on my calendar, pick a cozy spot and a bunch of color pens and jot down the moments, experiences and thoughts from the month. Some of the sections are: ⬇️
1
0
6
And you just start writing. After an hour, everyone discusses what they wrote. This creates a space for meaningful conversations and allows people to go deep into areas they wouldn’t ideally talk about when meeting a stranger. It helps them skip the awkward small talk. (2/3)
1
0
5
Ramadan for me is an exercise in mindfulness, rather than religion. It’s about connecting with the community, resetting & reflecting.
As another one approaches, I want to be intentional with my practice. Is there Ramadan without a strong sense of connection to the religion?
2
0
6
@kasratweets
Good question! I overthink who to invite- I want to always host in small numbers and keep it intimate but also don’t want to make anyone feel left out. Also, what if no one comes?!
1
0
6
As part of the last class of my zine class, we had a “zine fair”. I was so inspired by everyone’s creativity! There were zines on corner grocery stores in SF, adulting, newcomer guide to SF, art, coffee, stories from childhood. Always awed by how differently ppl think & express
0
0
4
One of the things I’ve been intentionally curious about lately is to find out different ways people are living their lives and what they are doing with their time, other than their 9-5. Over the past couple of months, some of the people I’ve come across ⬇️
2
0
5
In need of a dental support group where we rant about how bad dental insurance in the US is and how crazy the prices are
1
0
5
@startuployalist
Reminds me of my childhood- happiest memories I have is snuggling on a couch post school, with an Enid Blyton, Roald Dahl, Nancy Drew, Harry Potter. Even today half my bed is strewn with unread books and this section deeply resonated with me
7
0
5
Summer Book Recommendation: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight. The story of Nike's journey.
@essentials
#EntREADpreneur
1
0
5
Last week, I took up someone’s offer to teach Procreate. The one thing he told me is to “to take a deep breath and draw what you are feeling”. When the only art you know is copying from Pinterest, that’s tough to wrap your head around. Here are some squiggly flowers to start with
0
0
5
@shahidnowshad
I generally don’t celebrate bdays but did celebrate my 30th- hosted a picnic in the park with some of my dearest friends, and we played games we would play as kids like kho kho, chain-chain. Cooked 60% of the food for the picnic, including a blueberry cheesecake. Was a great day!
0
0
5
@paulg
I agree! Simple words that get the point across are way more powerful than fancy words that just confuses people.
This one is a great tip : “Before I publish a new essay, I read it out loud and fix everything that doesn't sound like conversation”
1
0
5
Got to meet Alice Waters in person today at the book signing of “We are what we eat”. This is me gushing and telling her how absolutely amazing her apple galette recipe is!
#wearewhatweeat
1
0
5
Just finished reading 4000 Weeks by
@oliverburkeman
. My key takeaway was around building patience and the insignificance of our individual existence in the grand scheme of things. More on that here
1
0
5
Once in while you taste something that reminds you how much of an art food is-the way the flavors harmoniously play with each other and hit different notes of your taste buds. (1/2)
2
0
5
Steps goal achieved!
“Raise your hand if it’s your first time on this walk?!”
*everyone raises hands*
“It’s everyone’s first time — welcome to THE LAUNCH of Board Walk SF!!!!” 🙌🏼
Join us: every Saturday, 8 AM, in SF! 🤩
Today’s topics: dating as a numbers game, how to choose a dog, where to live
12
7
108
1
0
5
Was walking down a street in SF and randomly came across this sign. On peaking in through the door, saw a cozy little room with a woman sitting at the desk. Turns out it is a volunteer driven reading room open on weekend evenings till 12am, and anyone is welcome to come read❤️
0
0
5
My favorite section of the
@_buildspace
sf2 demos was “what did you learn from the last 90 days of building?”
Learnings that stuck were - building with friends is fun, leverage momentum, start simple, pivot if needed, family >MRR, asking for money is hard, enjoy the process.
1
0
5
To gather well, is to deepen connections- be it old or new. I recently read ‘The Art of Gathering’ by Priya Parker, where she talks about how gatherings flourish when we not only plan the logistics, but also question the why, who, where, how & what of the gathering.
2
0
4
I never thought I could be THAT person but today I booked a flight for same day travel
Who am I even anymore?!
1
0
4
There is immense value that comes from spending time with people from other generations.
We spend so much time with the same age group as us, that we forget to tap into the wisdom and experiences of someone a few decades older or be inspired by a kid’s boundless curiosity.
0
0
4
Today’s writing progress: 1770 words. Sometimes all it takes is an hour and some focus
0
0
4
Thanks to
@startuployalist
@startingfromnix
@keyanrhm
Lasya for being a part of this and making it a fun, lively discussion 🤍
2
0
3
But before the “HOW” comes the “WHY”
“You should only start a startup if you feel compelled by a particular problem, and that starting a company is the only solution”
Start with a mission, and do it if you feel like can’t not do it- have passion + the world needs you do it
1
0
4
I was today years old when I discovered that Safeway’s in San Francisco have nicknames! Never a dull day
1
0
4
Happy girls are the prettiest. Happiness that comes from being confident in your own skin, from accepting yourself- wholly and unconditionally. It’s when you embrace your crazy curls, & those extra pounds. It’s when you know that you are on a journey and you’ll get there someday
1
0
4
Someone used the term “thought-partner” in a conversation today and I felt like that term captures so much of what we look for in a lot of our interactions/ relationships
1
0
4
“Agency is oft misinterpreted as ambition, but I learned by observing these 2 types of people that they are quite different. Ambition means you're motivated to play games that others have already created in the world, while agency means you're driven to play a game of your own.”
1
1
4
Walked 14 miles of the SF crosstown trail from McLaren Park to Lands end, a week ago. Was just another reminder of how beautiful SF is!
Would highly recommend it for exploring more of San Francisco
Toughest part- no restroom access for 2 hours across the residential bits iykyk
2
0
4
Have to confess- my book club got me to read ‘The 3-body problem’. I’m so not a sci-fi person but I’m hooked!
What has been your experience with book clubs?
I love the community aspect of it, and the accountability, but struggle to read books that I otherwise wouldn’t pick myself.
P.S. book club meet next week and I’m on the first chapter 🙈
1
0
3
1
0
4
Home is a place to which whenever you return, it feels like you never left.
1
0
4
Airport pickups don’t make logical sense especially if the Uber ride isn’t too bad.
But somehow they are such a big expression of love and care.
0
0
4
Other design elements work particularly well- every table has 4-5 people which gives everyone a chance to speak and listen. A fixed time and place helps create familiarity and makes it easy to show up. The ambient background music helps focus better. (3/3)
0
0
4
Next time when you travel somewhere, pick a song that you are vibing with and play it on loop.
Whenever you play that song later, it’ll transport you back in time to that place.
Audio memory can unlock so many emotions, that looking at a photo just can’t!
0
0
4
“In most cases the recipe for doing great work is simply: work hard on excitingly ambitious projects, and something good will come of it.”
This essay by Paul Graham should be made compulsory reading in college
0
0
4
Some 2023 lessons:
Sometimes scale is not always good. Somethings are best kept small and intimate.
Being loved and recognizing love can be two different things
If you don’t do it, you’ll never know.
Just keep swimming. Literally and figuratively.
2
0
4
And thanks to the
@joinwritingclub
at the
@thesfcommons
for the time and space to put my thoughts together
0
1
4
Early morning flights are a great idea when you are planning, but a terrible idea when you are executing
1
0
3
@thomasschulzz
On what accounts do you think that lower haight and Hayes are still behind this goal? I live in lower haight and it checks a lot of the boxes. Can’t comment on the schools and family friendly aspect
1
0
3
Shout out to
@startuployalist
for cohosting with me, and for everyone else who made it such a beautiful evening
1
0
3
How?! How does someone prune a tree so perfectly?!
Grateful for people in this world who do their jobs with sincerity and skill.
0
0
3
It’s interesting how memory can take different forms- like how a song reminds you of a phase of your life. Reading this book called “Bread and wine” where the author talks about key life events and the recipes she cooked then. Curious to know if anyone else has such memories
0
1
3
The air-conditioned muni trains is a great place to spend an exceptionally hot day in San Francisco. I am tempted to just sit, read a book, and ride along till the sun goes down.
0
0
2
I wonder what jobs do people who sit in a cafe, read a book, and have a croissant on a Monday morning have. I want that!
0
0
3
Remember that your present self always thinks highly of your future self.
So if you are procrastinating on doing something hard, then just set a date in the future and plan the bare minimum. You won’t be ready when you get there but you will push yourself ultimately
0
0
3
When aliveness means impermanence, how do we sustain long term friendships when we end up being completely different people since we first met? Unlike a romantic relationship, platonic relationships don’t bind you as much and it is easy to let go. But should you?
3
0
2
I just don’t get the design choices of shower rooms in gyms of US. The length of towels is too short, unless you are extremely thin. The shower doors don’t have locks. No hooks to hang clothes. No shelf to keep toiletries. Is this universal? And is there a good explanation?
1
0
1
So I asked ChatGPT to rephrase a meeting invite and voila! It used the word “delve”!
Wonder what’s in the algorithm that loves the word ‘delve’
But what if you actually use “delve” in your usual writing 😢
Should I unlearn my convent school education that stressed on fancy words and forget the GRE vocabulary that I had to acquire to get into this country, so that I don’t sound like ChatGPT?
6
1
44
0
0
3
Why does no one talk about how wholesome,
opinionated and entertaining the comment section of
@nytcooking
recipes can sometimes be. It’s like Twitter for cooking!
0
0
3
What: Ideas, Products, & Why Start a Startup
Who: Sam Altman,
@moskov
Outcome = Idea * Product * Execution * Luck
Have a great idea, build a great product, start a great company (In order)
1
0
3
@kous2v
is one of the most wonderful, intelligent, driven & hardworking people that I have ever worked with. He has 53 papers to his name! 53! For any one looking to hire in AI, ML, AI Ethics, NLP or computational social science …
I am laid off from
@MSFTResearch
MTL. It hasn't quite sunk in, but it has hit my confidence to lose the job I started a little over a year ago after PhD. I loved the people around me. I would have liked to reflect more, but amidst the uncertainties, I need a new job.
#opentowork
104
155
1K
1
2
3
@munmun10
Thanks Munmun! I was taking a zine making class and made this as part of it. It’s like a mini magazine on how to approach home cooking from scratch
0
0
1
Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky talk about making time for the things that matter and provide a structure to do it every day. Some main takeaways from their book “Make Time” ⬇️
1
0
3
@devonzuegel
Pocket for saving articles, and for their daily digest. Helps you close all those browser tabs you promised yourself you will get back to
@Pocket
0
0
3
Are $150-$200 haircuts the norm in SF, or am I going to the wrong places?
2
0
3
"Fitbit health and wellness data will not be used for Google ads. And we will give Fitbit users the choice to review, move, or delete their data." Thank You!
Helping more people with wearables: Google to acquire Fitbit
@google
0
0
3
Going on a hike alone felt liberating in some ways. I didn’t feel the pressure to to match any one else’s pace or feel guilty of slowing others down.
1
0
3
Why I love this ritual?
On days where the months seem to have vanished, this journal is a good reminder of all that happened across different aspects of life. It also helps me compare progress, revisit ideas and have a central log for wherever my curiosity has taken me.
0
0
3
Y'all know my affectionate enthusiasm for decluttering 🥰
I wrote some raw notes about it -- "Decluttering as Applied Reasoning"
3
3
27
1
0
3
First day of school for my niece and can’t help but appreciate this board on the side. Such a fun way to develop emotional awareness as a kid!
0
0
3