𝘾𝙃𝘼𝙎𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙃𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙎

I couldnt miss the images babe if I tried. thought I'd come up with a clever snarky response but why when those images are fresh in my mind. Yeah, the third-person self-reference definitely took a little toll on the total, but I’ll allow a partial recovery because, let’s be honest, it's still a massive flex. Not just for you but for me it carries some currency. And with that I love you. Ah usually you do this when you have a specific place in mind

I'm actually disappointed now. Not even a tiny bit jealous? I had to spend an entire day doing close-up campaign shots and videos with Alexander Skarsgård, and I thought for sure I'd at least get something from you. You being a little jealous is objectively hot. And maybe I do have a place in mind. I was thinking somewhere where neither of us has to get dressed up for anybody. Somewhere with a beach, good food, and absolutely terrible cell service so no one can bother us. I miss you. I feel like we've both been so busy lately that I just want to steal you away. I love you more.

And I would be here for that, honestly. At least Brandon would have one dad friend. I think I've slept for a little more than three days and honestly, I've loved that for me. Just being able to relax before getting stuck back into rehearsals for the next tour. You're going to have to tell me some places to go to when I'm next there, please. I'm still planning a full European leg so hoping that I can get back to Italy sometime next year. How is your little one doing? Still having her swim lessons?

I still can't believe you're about to be a mom. That's such a wild sentence to say out loud. I know you're going to be an incredible one, though. You have so much love to give, and your little one is already so lucky. How are you feeling, though? How's everything going with the pregnancy? Sleep is criminally underrated. And yes, I'll happily make you a list. Between the food, the people, the little towns… I get why everyone falls in love with it. River's doing really well. She's still in her swim lessons, and I swear she's becoming more fearless every week. She's at that age where she's convinced she can do absolutely everything by herself, which keeps Taylor and me on our toes. She turns 2 next month.

Seems fair. Ye have to worry when I start just being nice to ye, it means I fucking hate ye. Naw, all thoughts need to be heard, whether ye like it or no. Ye can deny the truth all ye like, pal, doesnae mean it's no true.

The day you're genuinely nice to me, I'm immediately assuming I've done something unforgivable. And absolutely not. There are plenty of thoughts that should stay locked away forever. That one included. Some mysteries are better left unsolved. I'm off to bleach my brain.

all very trial and error. of course i'm offering to introduce you to her. i wanna be there to see if you become cool or if you forget how to speak. either option sounds like it'd be amusing. i don't know about that just yet. we gotta do a project together first and then i can make my verdict. start pulling those strings and find us something, dakota. i'm on the verge of just showing up to whatever you're filming next and sneaking into the background. it's tyrant. i might've told you? who knows. not me. my memory is about as shit as yours.

Oh, so now I have homework? Fine. I'll start pitching things to anyone who'll listen. I expect you to back me up. I'm offended that I'd even have to earn exception status. I thought we had something. Also, yes, showing up in the background of whatever I'm filming next is exactly the kind of unhinged commitment to the bit that I appreciate. If you do it well enough, maybe no one will notice until the premiere. And okay, Tyrant. That's right. Between the two of us, we have one functioning brain cell. We just have to figure out who's using it on any given day. What's the movie about?

it sounds like a dream and i get a new project of yours out of this? a dream. i am so there, literally coming to you right now because i miss you so much. icon sounds like so much, i just like being out here and making my songs. i know randy newman is the man when it comes to toy story, so i didn't want to step on any toes and i was just so happy to be accepted.

'I just like making my songs' is exactly why I call you an icon. You say it like it’s nothing. And I get being nervous about stepping into Randy Newman territory, but you didn’t replace anything. You added to it, and it worked. Also, yes, come over. I miss you too, and River also misses her auntie Tay Tay.

that's very true, that we'll have the luxury of planning so we can fit in every single detail we'd like, and even leave some room for spontaneity. it always feels that way, yeah? all the time we've spent with these characters is finally paying off, and then it's all finished and we're left with them still running about our minds. i know it always takes me a beat to let go of a character, anyway. i'm so thrilled you're getting the time at home, love, and nothing like being able to stay there for an extended time. i'm jealous since i'm looking forward to that soon enough, once promo is over. and i'm proud of you for actually enjoying your break rather than rushing into work since i know that can be really tough. well, once i'm done on the promo trail, i'll have some time to figure out my next moves too, so naturally hoping to head home for a little while, take a page out of your book and actually enjoy some time off.

That's exactly what I want for you. I want you to go home, sleep in your own bed, and forget what a call sheet looks like for a couple of weeks. And I know what you mean about letting go. It's funny because everyone always asks how you become a character, but nobody really talks about how you stop being them. I feel like every project leaves behind a little residue. Some are easier to shake than others, but they all stay with you in some small way. I'm actually kind of proud of myself for not immediately jumping into another script. I'm loving making pancakes with River on a random Tuesday or having coffee with Taylor without constantly checking the time. I think we spend so much of our lives chasing the next thing that we forget this is the part we're supposed to be living too. So please promise me you'll do the same when you're done with promo. Go disappear for a bit. Read books, sleep in, sit on a beach, do absolutely nothing productive if you feel like it.

you think so, but i'm not so sure. what if you veto the future love of my life? what do we do then? that's a risk i'm not sure i'm willing to take. my life's exciting for the most part, but right now it's actually been pretty quiet. i go through phases like that every now and then, where everything slows down and i almost don't know what to do with myself. i think we forget it's okay for life to be a little boring sometimes. what you're describing sounds quite lovely! that's probably healthier than we like to admit. i hope you're letting yourself enjoy it, without feeling too guilty about it, i have a feeling you've earned every minute of it.

Okay, that's actually a fair point. Imagine if I vetoed your soulmate. I'd never forgive myself. So maybe I'll settle for an advisory role instead. Strongly worded recommendations. And I like what you said about life being a little boring sometimes. I don't think we're very good at allowing ourselves that, are we? There's always this pressure to be making something, chasing the next project, proving you're busy enough to deserve where you are. It can get exhausting. I think I've spent enough years sprinting that I'm finally learning there's no prize for never stopping.

i have this theory and i feel like you are the perfect person to tell me if i'm wrong or not. i think any of us actors have, at least, one interview that haunts them, keeps them awake at night and wishing they could have answered something differently. is this a universal experience or am i crazy? @dakotajchnson

I think it used to be like that for me. Especially because there was a period where it felt like every other interview I'd do would end up with one sentence taken completely out of context and suddenly that became the headline instead of the entire conversation. But honestly? After a while, you stop caring. Not because you stop trying, but because you realize the press is going to print whatever story they want to print. You can give a thoughtful answer and somehow, the one slightly awkward sentence is the one that ends up everywhere. At some point you just have to make peace with the fact that you can't control it. So whatever interview is currently haunting you, I promise it won't forever. Give it a little time.

I’m writing that down in ink on my body as we speak. Don't try to walk it back later when I hold you to it.And look, I'll grant you the "tiny adjustment period", mostly because spending two months seeing my face every day sounds like an absolute privilege, so I understand the withdrawal. But you are right comparing my potential meltdown to a toddler tantrum is a massive understatement when it's between me and something I want. Which what I want right here is just your love. If I go offline, I’m not just screaming on the kitchen floor, I’m taking the whole ship down with me. It’s an art form. That being said, that now an option a Stromboli annual girls' trip? Consider my bags packed. Just let me know if we're talking about the active volcano in Italy or the giant roll of cheese we will be eating.

I'm obsessed that you immediately went from I'd have a meltdown to I'm taking the whole ship down with me. That's exactly the level of commitment I expect from you. If you're going to be dramatic, you might as well win an award for it. And yes, I think you've earned unlimited access to my love after surviving two months of me stealing your food, making you rehearse lines with me, and emotionally attaching myself to your existence. You're stuck with me now. Sorry. Why are we choosing? We can absolutely do both. We'll hike around the active volcano, and then end the night eating an irresponsible amount while pretending we burned off enough calories to justify it. That's what I call balance.

i mean it i really do. the list was not in order. it's a total miss opportunity. i'm fun, your fun we would have a fun time that is for sure. i am not selling myself well at all. im in TN right now and it's hot as fuck so my brain is all mush.

No, I actually think you sold yourself perfectly. Pretty solid argument. Also, Tennessee in the middle of summer? Yeah, absolutely not. Stay hydrated and try not to spontaneously combust. What are you doing there?

that just means we'll have to plan our restaurant crawl for when we're in the same place, love! it won't be a missed opportunity if we don't let it be. plus there's no one i'd rather wandering around with to eat pasta, drink wine, and judge desserts. we were made for this! i can't help myself, and it'll likely happen again since i still can't believe i'm making a film with her. and exactly, just those little moments of wondering how this is real life because it just feels like too much good. you understand me, and i feel like once you've really settled in and start to have fun, then the project's finished filming! you know what that means, that we'll just have to plan a beach holiday when we're both free. personally, i couldn't get enough of spending time on the beach, and the most important part would be spending time that with you, my love. how are things since you've been home? or have you moved onto filming something else?

I like the way you think. This isn't a missed opportunity, it's just postponed. Which might be even better because then we can actually plan it instead of trying to squeeze it in between call times. And yes! That's exactly what happens. You finally settle in, stop second-guessing every scene, everyone finds their rhythm. and then someone hands you flowers and says, that's a wrap. Home has been really nice, though. I think I needed it more than I realized. I've mostly just been soaking up time with Taylor and River, sleeping in my own bed, and remembering what it's like to have absolutely nowhere to be. It's kind of wonderful. I'm trying very hard not to jump straight into another project. Normally I'd already be looking at the next script, but I promised myself I'd actually enjoy this little break before disappearing onto another set. What about you? What have I missed? Tell me everything.

Who says you've earned that veto power? That's a pretty big promotion you're asking for. I swear I'm not making it up, my life really isn't that interesting these days. I mean, I am awesome, obviously, but that doesn't mean my life can't be boring every now and then. The two aren't mutually exclusive. I totally get that. After months of filming, having absolutely nowhere to be probably feels like winning the lottery. I hope you're taking care of yourself, and finding time for you as well, in the middle of all the work. It can't be all work and no play! I think we're all pretty guilty of being terrible at switching off, but it's good to actually be enjoying time off without a care in the world.

I think years of friendship, emotional support, and just being awesome have absolutely earned me veto power. At the very least, I deserve a trial period. And yes, you are obviously awesome. I wasn't disputing that part. I just refuse to believe someone as curious as you is capable of having a "boring" life, but okay, whatever you say. I have been trying to slow down a little since getting home. I've mostly been spending time with Taylor and River, sleeping an embarrassing amount, and reminding myself that it's okay to just exist for a while.

yet another proof of you probably knowing me better than i know myself. yeah, that makes sense. as amazing as filming is in a different country, there's nothing quite like getting back to your own bed. and your little munchkin. and your husband, of course. which is why you gotta do the pouting real convincing. because i fully support the "why choose" idea and do both countries. maybe we should just rent a yacht ? that way we can do croatia and spain and wherever else the wind takes us. we owe it to the occasion to celebrate it properly. taylor has to understand. otherwise i might need to have a word with him myself. don't be jealous. you're the living proof that being in your thirties is just as much fun. unless you've been hiding that back pain in the morning and worse hangovers from me.

Wait, a yacht? Oh, so we've completely abandoned the idea of being responsible adults. I like where your head's at. And don't worry, I'm already planning my strategy. If you have a word with Taylor, he'll probably end up agreeing with you and encouraging me to go. You're barking up the wrong tree there. He's annoyingly supportive. And excuse me, my back is perfectly fine, thank you very much. My knees, however, have started making little popping noises when I stand up too fast, I'm kidding. The hangovers, okay, those might be a tiny bit worse. Don't use that against me. But honestly? My thirties have been pretty great so far. Probably the best years of my life, and I'm enjoying them way more than when I was in my twenties.

Immense talent, obviously. The paperwork alone would probably make the hand filling it out cry. Unless you went off at them like really long in a way where you dont catch a breathe and they cant speak. then Im on their side. I ma kidding! Yeah you being very weird and subtle about it! But thats ok I miss you too. Im going to make a big thing out of it and hug you when I can. Good cause you dont want to see the meltdown when that higher space is taken away, River's meltdowns have nothing on me. Do we have to take them? Fine. We'll find all the good moments anyway.

I knew you'd back me. That's why you're my favorite. And yes, I am being weird about it. I spent almost two months seeing your face every day. I'm allowed a tiny adjustment period. Also, don't threaten me with a meltdown. I've seen enough toddler tantrums to know exactly what level of chaos we're talking about, and I have a feeling you'd somehow be even more dramatic than River. Which is impressive. And hey, we don't have to take them. We could make Stromboli our annual girls trip instead.

thanks for not jumping my ass for that one. i know some people get touchy about their projects. yes, that one. that babe. feels reallll good to be living your dream, not gonna lie. she's so fucking beyond cool and such a professional at what she does. only downside is that she's now setting the bar impossibly high for any of my future co-stars. they might be good but they aren't gonna be as good as her. if you're ever in nyc, come visit the set and i'll introduce you two.

Babe, if there's one thing this job teaches you, it's that sometimes you make something that lands and sometimes you make something that absolutely eats shit. There's no point pretending otherwise. And excuse me, did you just casually offer to introduce me to Charlize Theron? That's insane. I don't know if I'd suddenly become incredibly cool or completely forget how to speak. I love it when people actually live up to the legend, though. Also, I love that she's ruining future co-stars for you. But I'm the exception, right? What's the project with her?? Sorry if you already told me. I have a short attention span.