When you run relentlessly without a moment to breathe, you eventually realize that you’re drained. You lament your never-ending busyness and hurriedly try to rest, but the next day, everything remains the same. Perhaps you’re not truly resting. You spend money, eat good food, and laugh at amusing things, but have you truly experienced relaxation and leisure? The people who could truly recharge you are absent, and the things that once brought you joy are gathering dust. Instead of complaining about a lack of time to rest, try distancing yourself from the elements that prevent you from fully embracing it. Even a fleeting moment of relaxation can bring immense fulfillment.
-From Chaerin |
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📃 today's grds paper
1. music
2. walking course #5 Pyeongchang-dong
3. items
4. why can’t we feel at ease?
5. grds news
6. grds on feet
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music
Slowing down is okay.
Sometimes, looking back helps you regain your drive.🏃🏻 |
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🎧 Big Thief - Breathe In My Lungs
A song I listened to on a Friday evening after work. The week had gone so fast, and I wanted to spend my weekend in quiet relaxation rather than going out. As if it read my state of mind, this song played in my earphones, offering a sense of stability. Despite the lyrics, I wanted to interpret it in my own way. It felt like the song was urging me to take a moment to look back at myself which I forgot to take care of. I can't fully put that feeling into words, but the emotion this song evoked was profound, so much so that I wanted to recommend it to everyone on that bus ride home. |
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Today's walking course takes us to Pyeongchang-dong,
the perfect place to enjoy a peaceful cultural experience.
Nestled in the hills, this neighborhood offers stunning views of grand residences and mountain landscapes,
creating a serene escape from the city's hustle.
*Check the walking course on Google Map via the link below. |
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01. Yeesikdang (이식당)
94, Pyeongchangmunhwa-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
A Korean beef specialty restaurant introduced in a TV show Huh Young man’s Food Travel. Known for its reasonable prices and delicious dishes, it offers everything from yukjeon (beef pancakes) to yukhoe (beef tartare) and tataki, as well as hearty meals like galbi set menus and brisket noodle soup. The rich broth and chewy noodles of the brisket soup stay true to the fundamentals, while the galbi is so tender it almost melts in your mouth. In the evening, many visit for a light meal paired with drinks, because who could resist yukjeon with a cold beer?🍻 |
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224, Pyeongchang-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Climb to the top of Pyeongchang-dong, and you'll be rewarded with a breathtaking view and EN Gallery. Designed like an elegant mansion, it features an open rooftop, a charming garden, and a pine forest.
The current exhibition, 'Die Sehnsucht' by artist Park Seung hee, runs until February 18.🖼 The title, meaning "longing" in German, invites viewers to reflect on their own personal yearnings through vivid colors and abstract forms. Across the street, a cozy cafe offers a perfect spot to linger and let the exhibition’s impressions settle.
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101, Pyeongchangmunhwa-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Opened in April last year, this museum blends records and art to preserve and research contemporary Korean art.📚 The first floor houses a collection of books and resources on art, film, and photography, with reading spaces available.
The current exhibition, 'Resume: Park Mina and Sasa[44]', explores research-based methodologies of investigation, collection, and analysis. As I viewed the works, I realized the importance of archiving as a tool for gaining insight. With sunlight streaming through the large windows, it's a perfect place to spend a leisurely afternoon reading about your favorite topics. |
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04. Virtu & Fortuna
12, Pyeongchang 11-gil, Jongno-gu, Seoul
A place filled with an array of baked products from cookies and pies to cakes that makes choosing just one a delightful dilemma. Virtu & Fortuna is already a well-loved bakery among locals. Their signature treats include the Alligator, a pecan-studded pastry, and the Honey Yogurt, a pastry filled with yogurt cream.
We tried the pecan pie, Swiss roll, and cinnamon roll, and as expected, they did not disappoint. The bakery also offers a cozy space where you can enjoy coffee and pastries. Take a moment to sit, share, and savor the flavors with good company! |
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items
Here are some items to help you embrace relaxation! |
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A recent gift, body oil and gua sha!
I often use gua sha for my frequent headaches, and having it paired with oil was a game-changer. After a shower, I apply a small amount of oil to areas that feel particularly tense and gently massage them. It feels like blocked energy channels are finally opening up.🧴 Focusing on my body in a quiet moment of self-care helps me wind down, reflect on my day, and prepare for a good night’s sleep.
- Marketer Jihye
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I prefer not to carry heavy bags, so most of the ones in my wardrobe are small and lightweight. Lately, with all the layering in winter, I find myself reaching for this tote bag—it holds my essentials while remaining light. Especially in winter, when I wear darker outerwear, this bag adds a pop of color to my outfit, making my mood a little brighter.💚 Simple yet striking, it’s the perfect finishing touch.
- Store Manager Woobin |
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Kazuo Ishiguro, awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Literature for his ability to connect humanity and the world through profound emotions, writes with a delicate and composed style. Nocturnes consists of five stories about music and twilight. With jazz playing in the background, I find myself slowly drawn into the narrative.🎵 Even those who don’t typically read fiction will find this book as engaging as listening to someone share their life stories.
A perfect weekend read.
- Marketer Chaerin |
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why can’t we feel at ease?
If your mind is constantly filled with thoughts like
*I’m too busy... I have no time to relax...*😮💨
Maybe it’s worth asking ourselves why can't we feel at ease?
By identifying what disrupts our sense of leisure and making an effort to step away from it,
we may find ourselves slowly changing.
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It's because of work!
I don’t like the term workaholic. The idea that work is the only thing worth becoming addicted to, it’s not the life I wanted. Of course, work is an important part of life. What we do and how it positively impacts our lives matters. But I don’t want my life to revolve around work. Yet, in reality, the line between work and life often blurs. Even when reading a book or watching a video, my first thought is, Can I apply this to work? Before I know it, I’ve connected everything back to my job, preventing myself from truly resting.
Even on a recent trip, the moment I found something inspiring, I instinctively pulled out my camera to capture it. I believe archiving moments like these leads to better content.😮💨 That’s why I’m trying to take at least three hours a day to enjoy something just for myself just like grds' one of the lines 3hrs. We constantly suggest taking 3hrs, but maybe, in the end, this is a message we need for ourselves.
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It's because of ambition
Do I simply want too much?
Or is it because I don’t have enough time during the week to invest in myself?
I have so many things I want to try and do well. When I was younger, I was filled with confidence, bordering on arrogance. But as I gained more experience, I started to see how small I actually was. I spent a long time wondering How can I live a truly fulfilling life? I believed that to achieve that, I had to build expertise in the fields I loved, continuously explore new areas, and gain insights along the way. But in the process, my once-fiery passion burned out, leaving only the ashes of ambition. I lived without room for ease. I don’t regret it because it pushed me forward. But I now realize that if I continue to be consumed by ambition, regret will inevitably follow.
So, I’ve decided to let go of some of that ambition, allowing myself a little more space to breathe, and taking steady steps toward my goals. The life I once dreamed of must have had room for leisure, it's only now that I’ve come to understand that.
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The chelsea 02 post, recently revealed on the brand director’s Instagram, has been generating buzz. Made from full-grain vegetable-tanned horsehide by Italy’s Novapel, it features leather sourced from the avantcorpo, the front part of the horse, including the shoulders and legs. Instead of avoiding the common drawback of vegetable-tanned leather—its sensitivity to temperature and humidity—we embraced it. Through an intense ONE WASH stone-washing process, we pushed the limits of grds' post-processing techniques, resulting in a uniquely finished piece. After several days of natural drying, the final step involved meticulous brushing, bringing out its signature vintage character. chelsea 02 is set to launch soon, and these photos capture it in action, worn for a weeklong journey, racking up 20,000 steps daily as part of its wear test. |
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grds on feet
A stylish outfit is never complete without the right shoes!
Here’s how grds products are styled.
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📍 The loafer 01 suede brown is perfectly fit for spring season. Paired with a vintage wool varsity jacket and perfectly cropped black denim, the loafers completed the look. Made from stone-washed, unlined suede calfskin, these shoes exude a vintage charm while offering exceptional comfort. Take a light stroll and savor a coffee break with loafer 01. |
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The Greeks, after having emptied out all evils, finally drew out the most dreadful of them—hope.
I know no more moving a symbol than this, for hope, contrary to common belief, is equivalent to resignation. To live is to refuse to resign oneself.
- Albert Camus 『Noces, L'Été』
그리스인들은 모든 악을 쏟아낸 후 그중에서도 가장 끔찍한 악인 ‘희망’을 꺼내 들었다.
나는 이보다 더 감동적인 상징을 알지 못한다. 왜냐하면 희망은 통념과 달리, 체념과 동격이기 때문이다.
산다는 것은 스스로 체념하지 않는 것이다.
- 알베르 카뮈 『결혼,여름』
*This sentence is an English translation based on the Korean edition of the book.
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grds paper is a members-only newsletter
that explores and shares everyday inspirations through walking.
Join the grds membership and receive an email every three weeks!
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grds
info@grds.com
52, Donggyo-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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