In our house, we have a Calming Corner where our daughters can go when they have Big Feelings. There’s a soft green couch, stuffed animals, notebooks, and a Lion King puzzle. As the world anxiously awaits some Big News, I invite you to my virtual Calming Corner. Let’s take a deep breath and go on a joy ride!
Your Pep Talk 😃
Email has become a source of stress. To combat that, I created a Smile Folder in my inbox. I learned this technique from an Instagram account I follow (@lizandmollie).
What's currently in my Smile Folder:
lovely emails from newsletter readers
a rejection letter from a McSweeney's editor who wrote, "This is funny."
a note from my Oprah magazine editor saying she was grateful to work with me
I don't always look at it. I'm just happy that it exists. When I see "Smile Folder" in my Mac Mail, it makes me smile.
Can you create a Smile Folder in your email? Or a photo album on your phone?
My Latest News 🧘🏻♀️
Over the summer, I interviewed a meditation guru, a plant interior designer, a crystal specialist, an astrologer, and a healer to create rituals to restore ourselves after this WILD year. In the Nov/Dec 2020 issue of Yoga Journal, you’ll find my feature with their guidance.
Check Out This... 👇🏽
ARTICLE: My writing teacher David Hochman wrote stunning NYT essay, “Driving Lessons With a Whiff of Mortality.” My favorite lines: “Live the dash.” Between the date you’re born and the date you die, you’d better make your time worthwhile.
BOOK: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett. I was riveted by this story of two Black twin sisters who choose very different paths after a fateful trip to New Orleans.
PODCAST: Unlocking Us by Brené Brown. I am a HUGE Brené Brown fan. Her podcast has brought me such comfort and understanding during the pandemic. This special Election Day episode was the balm I needed.
NONPROFIT: Child’s Play. This nonprofit brings video games and toys to 185 children’s hospitals, clinics, and domestic violence shelters worldwide to bring joy.
I'm Grateful For... ❤️
My mother-in-law Maureen Hay. Today is her 70th birthday. She’s not only an amazing grandmother to Chloe and Claire, but she was a first-grade teacher for many years and impacted young people every day. She reads everything I write, and raised an amazing son. I haven’t seen her in-person since February and we all miss her very much!
Great ideas as always! Thanks so much for your lovely writing. I am thankful for you! You are a wonderful writer, daughter, wife and mother! Lots of love 💕🥰