Welcome to ‘5 things’, a monthly round-up ‘sletter created with the purpose of hopefully introducing you to some cool new things. Whether newly discovered or tried and true—I share 5 things with you each month that really caught my attention.
Whenever we get to this time of year, inevitably we start seeing content around the topic of the “winter arc”. Whether it’s using that terminology or something different, the topic still stands—how to use the winter months to work on ourselves.
The fall & winter months have always been tough for me. I’ve never been medically diagnosed for seasonal affective disorder but I do notice similar patterns and symptoms year after year. Being aware of these cycles, I’ve started to look into how to actually combat these feelings, or at least learn how to make the colder months feel easier.
This week’s Feel Good Lab episode is coming a little late (still playing catch up with some of my content, sorry!) but that’s the topic I’m diving into this week. How to actually have a winter arc despite being someone who just feels like crap during this season.
5 things
The perfect black coat. I feel like I’ve been looking for the perfect black coat for several seasons now and I’ve finally admitted that it doesn’t exist. My needs for a black coat changes slightly depending on my mood and outfit so it’s a me issue, not a coat issue. However, I did buy this Massimo Dutti coat this season and have been wearing it non-stop. It just has such a simple silhouette that looks good with most styles and I think it’s pretty close to perfect.
A confidence-booster scent. My obsession with perfume isn’t going anywhere but please let me know if you’re sick of hearing me talk about it. Scents play such a bit part of how I experience life and lately I’ve been tying certain moods and feelings to scents so that I can always use it to get grounded. My current confidence-booster scent (aka the scent that makes me feel powerful, sexy, and like my best self) is Babycat by YSL. It’s the perfect smoky, woody, incense-y vanilla perfume.
An email tool that saves me from headache. I am guilty of subscribing to way too many newsletters and it’s been a headache of mine for a little while. I recently discovered Leave Me Alone, a tool that was created specifically to help you unsubscribe to newsletters in bulk. It also creates a roll-up email if you want to continue receiving certain emails but have them all rounded up into one email. It’s part of the Setapp subscription too (the one tech subscription to rule them all)
A prompt journal that really works. Never has present me thanked past me more. I created the 5 minute growth journal when I was in a place of serious self-discovery and had an intense focus on personal growth. Now that I’m re-entering a stage where I’m ready to recommit to personal growth, I’m so glad I have this. My 5 minute growth journal includes daily prompts to help you practice mindfulness, gratitude, but also look inward. I often feel like prompt journals I come across don’t ask the hard hitting questions—so this one does.
A dog toy that Mika loves. Any toy that she loves is an automatic win in my books because it means I have another engagement tool to keep her occupied and having fun. She’s gotten bored of so many treat toys in the best but so far she’s still obsessed with this one. Fill it with small treats, and watch your dog entertain themselves for a while.
Interesting Reads
I think hustling is my trauma response - Aswan Magumbe
Currently Reading
Still making my way through Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoyevsky. Was it really a good idea for me to dive into a book about madness when I’m trying to face my own? Maybe not.
Also started The Framed Women of Ardemore House by Brandy Schillace. Loving this so far.
