In the week or so after my period, I always find a strange post-period symptom occurs for me— I get this nagging, poor self-esteem feeling that convinces me (without any apparent outside source or reason, every time) that everyone hates me.

I know it’s not true. I know, logically, I am loved by an amazing husband, family, and many friends— but shew, does that anxiety get loud a week or so out of the month.

When your anxiety or depression thought loops are lying to you, here’s what you can do to reset your focus and remember you’re more loved than you know.

Remember, you are loved

Reach. Out. It may seem weird or uncomfortable, but reaching out and genuinely telling a loved one how you’re feeling can make a huge difference. People don’t always know when we’re struggling, so reaching out for support lets them know you’re open and seeking support, which they’re likely very willing to give you (because people who love you genuinely do care and want to help, despite what your anxiety lies may be telling you).

Get outside, see someone. It can feel like the hardest thing to do— to follow through on those plans you made when you’re suddenly feeling blahhhhh— but it’s SO worth it. Seeing a friend or loved one even via FaceTime or Zoom for a few minutes or a few hours can make a huge difference in reminding us we are loved and have some support— human connection is incredible, and it can aid us in so many ways.

Most importantly, remind yourself that anxiety is lying to you. You are loved, you are enough.

If you ever feel this way, just know my email and DMs are always open. Stay well,

Xoxo, MM.

It’s that time of year again— summertime! Well, almost, anyways. Either way, as the weather warms up you probably feel the pressure to start going out more and doing all the things (even if your bank account disagrees). I know I feel this way most summers, but I’ve found some tips to spare my savings account and still have a blast in the summertime.

Summer fun ideas that are free

Go outside! This should go without saying, but things like taking a walk by the river or in the local park with pals can still be vitamin D fueled fun for all, and also completely cost neutral.

Have a picnic, or potluck! Bringing food and beverages you already have from home to a friend’s house, or even outdoors, is another cost neutral way to save some $$$ this summer. Instead of spending your money on $15 cocktails and $20 avocado toast, you and your friends can use the groceries and libations you’ve already purchased and create something fun to share. Plus, preparing food can be fun in and of itself, and it could even turn into a cookout or recipe party!

Workout together, at home or outdoors. Save on the gym membership in the summer and catch some sun jogging or doing a yoga video outside with your pals— or at home. This is also a great way to encourage one another to stay in motion, and hold eachother accountable for your fitness goals.

Go thrifting! This one isn’t cost neutral, but it’s great for the environment and very cost effective. If you and your pals are looking to take a trip downtown for a shopping spree, maybe skip Saks and head to local thrift stores for vintage finds at a better price.

So, what do you like to do to save money (while still having fun) in the summer? Yard games, beach days, and lots of other activities are cost neutral or nearly free and can be tons of fun. Enjoy sweet, sweet summertime and save a buck next time you plan a day out.

Xoxo, MM.

*Before fully diving into this post, I want to add that you should NEVER DISCONTINUE A PRESCRIPTION MEDICINE WITHOUT A DOCTOR’S SUPERVISION. This is simply the story of doing my own research and talking to my doctor to take my health into my own hands, responsibly, and in a way that worked for me. Enjoy.

Recently, I began taking a stomach medication that actually felt like it was helping, at first. My bloat days and nausea were reduced. My stomach felt normal again, even after a day of sensitivity-filled foods. I was ecstatic.

However, the joy didn’t last long, as about two weeks into treatment I began having some of the worst mental health symptoms of my life— debilitating anxiety unlike I’d experienced in 10+ years, including dissociative episodes and a near nervous breakdown.

At first, I didn’t connect the two. I thought, “Could it be my period? Could it be my supplements? What has changed?” Then, after a few days, I realized only one thing had changed— the new stomach meds, which I’d then been taking for over a month.

I began searching this medication online, and to my shock and dismay, found out about a list of side effects my doctor had neglected to tell me (even when I’d asked them multiple times). The side effects included hallucinations, psychosis, debilitating anxiety, and, in worst cases, early onset dementia— all from an acid reducer.

Why my care provider neglected to tell me this, I’m unsure. But I jumped into action.

I immediately told my doctor I’d be stopping these medications, and, with their approval, I did. The withdrawal I also wasn’t warned about (but had read about online), and it was hell. I felt like I was losing my mind, becoming ill, and cried every day for about a week, but— it was worth it in the end.

Long story short, taking your wellness into your own hands and letting your doctor know what you need vs. what they think you need at first glance can make all the difference. I’m feeling much better, the anxiety is almost all gone (I always struggle with anxiety, but it’s not nearly as bad this week), and one week off of these meds I’ve vowed to never touch them again.

Always trust your gut instinct. Do your research. And, most important, advocate for yourself when speaking to your medical team. Your health should be non-negotiable and you deserve to feel good, no matter what.

I’ve had a hell of a few weeks, but the light at the end of the tunnel is clear and I’m able to say, finally, with confidence, that I’m pretty much through it now. I feel like “me” again, and that’s worth fighting for.

Take care of yourselves, and always fight for YOU. Much love,

Xoxo, MM.

So, it happened. It happens occasionally— before my period, during heavy stress times at work, etc.— the dreaded panic attack. At the beach I was having the most lovely time, and randomly, during a nice dinner, it hit me like a train. I couldn’t breathe. My heart was racing. The dreaded panic attack had started.

Like I said, it happens. I’ve been diagnosed with OCD and GAD since I was 12. I’ve dealt with this for years, and though it never fully goes away, it does get easier with the right treatment and coping skills. Treatment should be prescribed by a medical professional, but coping skills are generally safe and effective and I want to share a few of my own today. Here goes—

How to cope when you’re having a panic attack

First of all, go to a quiet place. This is so important. At dinner, I excused myself and Andrew took me to the car. Instant relief from a busy restaurant. Then, and this goes without saying, breatheeeeee. Take deep breaths. And, remind yourself with mantras that you are safe, you are okay, you are healthy, and so on. Those are good immediate tips. Relax your body and nervous system, ground yourself into your surroundings, and remember how safe you are.

In the longer term, daily movement and exercise can help boost brain health and help ease the buildup of anxiety. Additionally, eating brain healthy foods and avoiding intense periods of binge drinking can help a lot, as well as sunshine or outdoor time when you can get it.

These tips seem simple but can work wonders— medical treatment by a licensed professional are always best, but in the immediate term if you need relief these tips can help ease the suffering and remind you that you’re safe, healthy, and going to be okay.

Take care of yourself and your mind, loves.

Xoxo, MM.

Somewhere beyond Los Angeles and California’s surf lies the land of red dust and crimson peaks. A place where the earth is molded in the image of quiet cataclysm and HG Wells landscapes. 

Lonesome. Desolate. Seemingly hollow. 

And yet, underneath the buzz of silence, the earth is humming and thick with life. Confounding, resilient, and hearty life. The kind that lures you in slowly and then swallows you whole before you realize you’ve even passed through its lips.

Welcome to Southern California, where the seams of the Mojave, Sonora, Colorado, and Great Basin Deserts come together. It’s a strange place and home to many contradictions – to the posh and the poor, farmland and wasteland, vastness and void. 

Cruising the open highway it’s equal parts paradise and apocalypse, where it feels like the world is ending and beginning all at once. Something is enchanting about its vast stretches of highway and wilderness. Even if it’s just for a weekend, the desert’s the perfect place for a road trip out West. 

Passing Through Palm Springs

Palm Springs is a playground for the well-to-do and a moment in time. Tucked between the Sonora Desert’s extraterrestrial landscapes, something about it feels temporary, like a fantasy that could only exist in a half-remembered dream, a Salvador Dali painting, or the setting of a Lana del Rey song. 

Inevitably, Palm Springs is a place the desert will eventually swallow up, returning all of its old-Hollywood charm and vintage architecture to the dusty ridges of the Coachella Valley. There’s an eeriness that lies under its elegant veneer. Nature feels pitiless. Like you’re at the mercy of the sun’s constant gaze and the whims of the San Andreas fault. Like God is nowhere and everywhere at the same time.

But for now, Palm Springs has plenty to offer in the way of luxury: five-star restaurants, high-end shops, and private hideaways where you can spend an afternoon lounging in Southern California’s sun. It’s not exactly backpacker-friendly, but that’s not to say Palm Springs can’t be done on a budget, especially with such quick access to the desert. 

I arrived on a Friday during the high season in January. Night had already fallen by the time I pulled into the BelleVue Oasis – my retro, mid-century modern home base five minutes from the town’s main drag. 

It had the vibe of late 60s Hollywood, with a pool deck lined with palm trees and loungers overlooking the desert mountains. Complete with a hot tub that almost always had a vacancy and a clear view of the desert stars, the Bellevue embodies quintessential Palm Springs. It was a perfect base for galavanting through the desert. 

Downtown, Palm Springs’ manicured streets were bustling with well-heeled tourists from across the Southwest. Restaurants were packed. Bars bustled with booze-seekers. And its shops gleamed with goodies for the glittery and the glamorous. 

Frankly, it’s lovely. Palm Springs offers something for most travelers, and it’s hard not to like. Friday night, I feasted on my Italian favorites at Johnny Costa’s Ristorante. Saturday night, I dipped in and out of stores in the Old Paseo Shopping District, including the Crescent Arts and Crafts, where the clerk gave me a weirdly accurate palm reading before I meandered off for dinner.  

 And yet, Palm Springs wasn’t where I spent most of my weekend. Maybe I’ll spend my days wining, dining, and unwinding during my next visit. But for this stint, I wanted to explore the weird and the wild of the desert. 

A Jaunt into Joshua Tree 

Just outside the bounds of Palm Springs’ glitzy golf courses, hip hotels, and bougie boutiques, I set my sights for Joshua Tree National Park, where I stepped into the desert’s strange, other-worldly vastness. 

Solitude buzzed in my ears amidst the martian and seemingly empty landscape. As I drove past snow-capped peaks, between deserted canyons, and down miles of lonely highway, I felt the soul of the Coachella Valley waiting to reveal itself, and yet it existed just beyond my grasp.  

After getting off the highway, I pulled over to the side of the road 10 minutes from the park’s entrance. It was early in the morning, and there were almost no cars or signs of life. The quiet filled my ears as the lyrics to “Desolation Row” ran through my head. 

The desert’s cold in January. And windy. Despite my wool socks and donning my favorite pullover, I was surprised to learn I needed a jacket and maybe a pair of gloves. If you go, I recommend coming with multiple layers, plenty of water, and lots of snacks to be prepared for anything. 

The park is vast, spanning 3,218 km² of boulders and rock formations, gardens of cacti, and giant Joshua trees for which it was named. Imagine walking around on Mars, but with some alien-looking vegetation, purple mountains in the distance, and a few winding roads meandering through the landscape. That’s Joshua Tree. 

You can certainly do the park’s highlights in a day – that’s what I did during this visit. I got my picture at Skull Rock, lingered through the Cholla Cactus Garden, and drank in the panoramic view of the Coachella Valley from Keys View. I ambled over giant boulders and desert footpaths and red hills for miles. 

And yet it wasn’t enough time. One day I want to return to Joshua Tree for at least a few days to experience the desert at night or watch the sunrise over the mountains. To go deeper and soak up the quiet moments and solitude the desert offers. 

So when you visit, I recommend spending at least 2-3 days camping or staying in town nearby so you can explore every hidden corner of the park.  

A Sunday Stroll through the Slabs

After her relationship ended, Terry packed her apartment in Appalachia and made her way to Slab City – an off-the-grid, alternative community 90 minutes from Palm Springs that residents call the “Last Free Place in America.” 

Today, she sells jewelry and nicknacks outside her trailer to tourists visiting the community, which has no services. No water. No electricity. No trash pickup on Tuesday. Occasionally, cops from the adjacent town of Niland make their rounds but otherwise keep away. And that’s how residents like it. 

“It’s not lawless here, but it’s pretty close,” said Terry gazing at the desert landscape. “It’s probably as close as you’re going to get.”

“It’s like a mental institution, and the government pretty much stays out of it. You can run down the street screaming, and no one will bat an eye. They might even join you.” 

After World War II, Slab City sprung up on the decommissioned Marine Corps Camp Dunlap site. Today, it’s a haven for artists, outlaws, hippies, drug users, and outcasts who want to disappear completely – not unlike the Wild West meets the island of misfit toys. 

This town seems absurd on the surface – like it shouldn’t exist. But if you dig deeper, you’ll find a creative and thriving community, a collection of folk art made from piles of rubbish, and the remnants of the pioneering spirit that propelled the American West forward.  

In my view, this is one of the few places where people can live fully and authentically on their terms. I found beauty and comfort in that. You can be exactly who you are in the Slabs and no one judges you. 

Salvation Mountain greeted me when I pulled in. Leonard Knight’s surrealist, technicolor homage to Christianity rose from the desert like an acid dream, complete with Bible verses, religious proverbs, and dozens of murals stretched across its fifty-foot high, 150-foot wide mountain canvas. 

Upon arrival, John from Niland invited me shooting. Later, I shared an ice cream with Pink Gorilla at the Wrangler’s Roost, where a woman named Phyllis explained how she found refuge here after kidnapping her kids from an abusive ex-husband in the 70s. 

When everyone had unemployment and stimulus checks during the pandemic, the Wrangler’s Roost was booming. Now that the money’s dried up, Phyllis said business had too. 

As I demolished my ice cream cone, Phyllis told me who ran with the thieves and who got chased out with guns. She shared how the Slabs were perfect until “some blabbermouth” posted on Facebook and the tweakers came. After giving me a crash course on who to trust, where to go, and what to avoid, I left the Wrangler’s Roost and headed to East Jesus – an experimental, living sculpture garden made from trash. 

Burned out cars. Broken televisions. Rusty bird cages. Shards of glass. The residents of East Jesus use bits and pieces of garbage to create an evocative art collection. Throughout the year, artists come and stay to build and maintain the sculptures, given the desert’s unforgiving nature. 

Should you spend a day in East Jesus, there are three rules you should know:

1. You’ll see a row of carpets that look like a path when you walk in. They are a lie. Walk wherever you want. Touch the art. Make music.

2. You can lick whatever you want in East Jesus. But in the event you cut your tongue while licking, all blood will be considered a contribution to the art.

3. If you break something, you need to find someone you don’t know in the park to blame it on. 

East Jesus and Slab City embody outlaw culture and are the closest I’ve ever seen to anarchy. They are real and raw and warped and weather-beaten.

And yet somehow – despite the harshness of the desert – there’s a stronger sense of community here than I’ve found in much of the United States. Self-sufficiency, libertarianism, and distrust of society tie everyone together, and the people make it work. 

Maybe the Slabbers have lost their way. Or perhaps they’ve found it. Who knows? 

Visiting is like seeing your reflection in a funhouse mirror: gnarled and distorted, and yet there you are, staring back. Ultimately, you’ll see whatever you want to see and find what you want to find. The weird, the beautiful, and the surreal are all yours for the taking.

What will the Desert Reveal to You? 

There’s a feeling in the desert I can’t capture with words, but I know it will draw me back again and again. It’s eerie, breathtaking, and absurd all at once, where seekers of silence, off-the-grid living, and Instagrammable vacations converge. 

In all of its weirdness, I see the desert as a microcosm of life in post-pandemic America, with equal parts squalor and wealth, untold abundance and emptiness. The site of many paradoxes interwoven together, amidst miles of arid and magnificent landscapes that stretch before you for hundreds of miles. And you should totally go check it out. 

– This post was written by Meghan Garrity, writer and traveler (and one of Miranda’s very best friends). You can find her and follow her travels on Instagram, @meghanelizabeth222

Since so many of you have asked how my experience with acupuncture has gone, I wanted to share a bit about why I’m doing it, what it feels like, and why I’m now a total believer in this traditional practice. Let’s dive in—

Why I started acupuncture

As some of you may know, my stomach has been giving me absolute hell since roughly February of this year. I felt totally out of options, until I discovered acupuncture. I read about acupuncture and its pain-relieving affects and other medically proven benefits, and I decided to check it out. I booked with one of the highest-rated (yet still affordable) practitioners in Philadelphia, and I dove right in.

Does acupuncture hurt? What does acupuncture feel like?

Not going to lie, I was nervous before my first session. However, that nervousness melted away as the session began, and my practitioner inserted the first needle completely painlessly. Acupuncture needles are so thin that you literally cannot feel them— and, they actually feel good once they’re inserted. That sounds weird, I know— but it’s true! Acupuncture points begin activated can feel like a warming sensation (like they did in my case), or even like a light pressure sensation in certain points of your body (depending on what your practitioner is activating with various points). My practitioner activated some stomach and intestinal points for me, and I instantly felt a positive, steady pressure pushing and moving through my abdomen that made me feel kind of like I had to pee (lol), but then made me feel so much lighter and un-stuck afterward. It’s hard to explain, but it’s definitely not painful— and in fact, I found it enjoyable!

Will I keep doing acupuncture?

YES. Definitively, yes. This practice has already transformed my body and mind in a handful of sessions (thanks to Dr. Aaron Cashman at Philadelphia Mind-Body Acupuncture), and I plan to keep on attending sessions and working with my doctor to achieve maximum results.

Acupuncture is a cost-effective, natural way to ease many ailments and relax the body and mind. That said, always check with your doctor before beginning the practice and always, ALWAYS ensure you’re being treated by a licensed practitioner with a clean practice and good reviews.

So, have you tried acupuncture? Let’s discuss—

Xoxo, MM.

This morning, as I did my daily due-diligence of watching The Drew Barrymore Show (my absolute favorite talk-show of all time), Jonathan Van Ness (of Netflix’s Queer Eye fame) made a profound statement about un-learning toxic biases— and I had to share.

Van Ness, while speaking to Barrymore, mentioned that, as a child, they used to see Boflex commercials (we all remember those awful things, right?) and ask their mother, “Mom, when will I get abdominals? When will I look like that?” And then, Van Ness shared the most important part of all— you probably won’t, because 99.9% of people don’t, and that’s okay!

So, they added, how do we un-learn all that toxic muck the media has fed us since childhood, and how do we learn to love ourselves and validate our own existence, whoever we are?

Well, you can take some steps. Let’s dive in—

Un-learning toxic thoughts, and learning to love YOU

Van Ness, in their recent book, dives into this a lot, but the long and short of it (and my own experience) is this:

• Normalize all bodies. No body is better or worse than another— not every human is supposed to have visible abs. Hip-dips, cellulite (which I have! :D) and all other perceived “imperfections” are actually just NORMAL parts of human bodies, and that’s that on that. Remember, weight and appearance do not equal health and happiness, and if we all looked the same life would be— well— boring.

• Validate yourself. No one else can do it for you. YOU have to accept you, your progress, your life path. No one else can do that for you— you have the power alone to accept and validate (and thus, empower) YOU— and that’s a beautiful thing.

• Practice unconditional love with yourself. You give unconditional love to your partner, your children, your pets— what about to yourself? Would you ever say the mean things you say to yourself to someone else? No? Then why say it to yourself, your greatest champion and advocate in this life?

These are just baby-steps to the deeper dive that is self-love, but Jonathan Van Ness’s new book is a great place to start exploring this topic deeper.

Be well, and love YOU for all you are.

Xoxo, MM.

Spring has sprung in Philadelphia, and though I’ve been busy working on some exciting new content for you all, I’ve been finding more time to get outside and enjoy the sunshine with my family and friends. Here is a quick-tip guide to some of the best outdoor ideas for (free!) fun in Philly—

Free, outdoor fun in Philadelphia

Parks to picnic in (BYOB and BYO-food from home, and enjoy the free space all around in these parks):

• Fairmount Park (by the water or near the Art Museum, even better!)

• Wissahickon Park (enter near the trail entrance off of Main Street in Manayunk)

• Washington Square Park (Old City quiet time with gorgeous trees and fountains to enjoy)

• Rittenhouse Square (especially on Farmer’s Market days— buy the fresh fruit and stay to picnic!)

Trails to hike:

• Wissahickon (any trail in this area is great!)

• MLK Drive (still closed to cars, you can walk all the way from Manayunk to the Art Museum and make a whole day of it)

What are your favorite, free outdoor activities in Philly? Let’s discuss, and enjoy the sunshine.

Xoxo, MM.

Guess what? Weighing yourself is (kind of) pointless. Yep— it’s true. Unless you have been explicitly, medically advised to track your weight with a scale (like, if you’ve been told to gain or lose weight for some reason, by a medical professional ONLY), weighing yourself is actually mostly pointless and, since adults’ body weight fluctuates around 5 pounds or so per day (depending on water retention, hormones, etc.), it will likely only lead to confusion and upset. All that said, the best thing you can do for your body this summer is break up with the scale, and love yourself unconditionally. Let’s talk through this some more—

Breaking up with the scale: why you should, and more effective ways to measure fitness progress

Did you know that the average adult’s weight fluctuates about 5 pounds a day? Yep. Depending on what you ate yesterday, how much you moved, what your cells and hormones (and other things beyond your control) are up to etc., your weight can be largely unpredictable within a 5 pound range and it’s actually very hard to understand when you’ve gained or lost weight in the longer-term by simply weighing yourself alone.

Weighing yourself can be triggering for this reason (at worst), and confusing (at best). It can make you feel like your self-worth is tied to a number (it’s not!— or, it shouldn’t be, at least), like you’re not making progress (because the arbitrary number on the scale changed), and a slew of other negative, confusing thoughts and emotions that can taint your body image.

If you truly want to measure fitness progression, just take stock of how you feel, or, in more extreme cases, take simple measurements of your body. Feel how your clothes fit on your body. Look at yourself in the mirror— your body composition means much more than the number on the scale ever could, and if you feel good and you’re in good health, it is in really no way helpful to obsess over the scale every day (or even every week, or month).

So, this summer (as we start to micro-analyze our bodies in bikinis, etc.), the best thing you can do for yourself is break up with the scale. Throw it out (unless you medically need it, which most people don’t), put it away, and just don’t sweat the number on the scale. If you feel good and healthy, that is enough. You are enough. Your body is beautiful and remember, ALL bodies are summer bodies.

TL;DR? Weight is just a number and, actually, doesn’t tell you much about health— so stop sweating it, and flaunt that bikini, y’all.

Xoxo, MM.