As the air becomes crisp and my life becomes a little less chaotic lately (and I stop sweating off my makeup by midday – IYKYK), I’ve felt inspired to revamp my beauty routine.

From a long-wear eyeliner that smudges to perfection, to a contour stick that doesn’t make it look like you’re watching a 2016 YouTube beauty blogger tutorial, and beyond, here are my favorite (and relatively inexpensive!) beauty buys of pre-fall 2024:

Eyeliner that won’t sweat off

Dear LORD, finding a liquid eyeliner that wants to stay in place (but that I can still smudge, because, ya’ know, smokey eye~) seemed like a near impossible feat for me these last couple hot, sweaty months. So, I did what any bored girl does during her daily couch rot, and I consulted the Internet in all its infinite wisdom. After a quick Google search, I stumbled upon folks just going on and on our Selestia Beauty’s Liquid Eyeliner Pen — and oh, this sh*t pops off.

From its super sleek gold packaging and its literal snake-encrusted cap (!!) to its absolute bangin’ ability to somehow survive a suspiciously oven-like Philly heatwave, this eyeliner will be my go-to all autumn long (at least).

A contour stick that doesn’t look caked

This one is only. five. dollars!!!!!!!

Finding a contour stick that actually ~ blends ~ well with the rest of my foundation is (chef’s kiss) perfection. Plus, when it’s only $5? Say less.

The wet’n’wild brand MegaGlo dual-sided contour stick goes on like butter, blends so, so smoothly and stays put. It also doesn’t make my skin break out (I have acne-prone combination type skin, by the way!), which is always a win-win. This one has been in my beauty-routine rotation for a while, and I think I’ll keep it that way.

A sneak-peek of my new Victoria’s Secret faves

One look I’ve been dying to debut this fall is the Victoria’s Secret Satin & Rose Lace Mini Slip dress. As a #VSPartner, this is perhaps my favorite look I’ve worn for VS. It is so silky soft, the color is to die for, and it pairs well with literally anything. Plus, it’s a no-brainer outfit; I throw it on, strap on some boots and viola, it’s already styled and ready to roll. To see more of how I styled this effortless little night-out mini, check out my recent posts on Instagram.

If you’re looking for some pre-fall inspo… same. I hope this helps? (Maybe, maybe not?) I don’t know — I just know I’m glad it’s not 90 degrees outside every day, anymore. <3

I promise you all I’ve tried so hard to be normal about Halloween being the next major holiday on the calendar… buuuuut, I can’t.

The second those Fourth of July fireworks are extinguished and the barbecue grill cools down, I have one thing on my mind — it’s spooky SZN, y’all.

I know, I know — isn’t it a little early for all that? Well, quite obviously, yes. But again, I don’t care!

So, if you’re like me (and you enjoy the spookier side of cinema all-year-round), you’ll likely appreciate this little list I’ve compiled: Summer Slashers for the Season (whiiiich includes some non-slasher horror titles as well, because I make the rules, and there are none!) — so sit back, relax (?), and enjoy.

Summer slashers to watch all season

If we’re going to start this list with actual slashers, there are a wealth of 1980’s Wes Craven-era camp classics (as well as some notable late 90’s and early 2000’s entries) out there that just make sense, and likely don’t need any introducing, including (but certainly not limited to!) the following —

Friday the 13th — Jason (well, Jason’s mom) is about to give you kids the summer camp experience of your life… so come down to Camp Crystal Lake and, uh, see for yourselves, I suppose?

A Nightmare on Elm Street — Whatever you do, don’t fall asleep. Because after all, “1, 2, Freddy’s coming for you…”

Scream — This film should be put in a museum. Maybe the Library of Congress? Whichever — but Scream forever changed the slasher genre with its meta and quite cynical approach to its “slashing,” and with THAT plot twist at the end? ~Chef’s kiss~

American Psycho — You’re either normal, or you find Patrick Bateman ridiculously attractive. Sorry, I don’t make the rules. But I digress; watch this film if you like a good horror with comedic elements that’s so clearly a condemnation of ‘yuppie’ society it’ll make your head spin!

SAW — Do I even have to say anything? Once you hear those eerie, distorted words (“Let’s play a game”), you know you’re cooked, pal.

Not-quite-slashers that are also worth a summer screening

If you’re looking for something a little more ~ ephemeral ~ (some of my favorite horror films are the more vague, sinister and ‘creepy’ kinds, after all), try these on for size:

The Love Witch — Oh, Elaine. We feel you, girl. This clever 2016 independent film blends humor, retro-patische realness, social commentary and unnerving emotional (and physical !) torture scenes seamlessly, and leaves you feeling like saying, “She was RIGHT!” (even if the “she” in question is a mass-murdering “love witch”).

Hellraiser — My all-time fave, Hellraiser is so much more than eerie shots of one of horror’s most iconic villains (dubbed ‘Pinhead’ by most, affectionately); it’s also a grim meditation on pain, pleasure, and what it means to follow your carnal desires. Cheers!

Pearl — Another entry in the “she’s so real for that” category, Pearl is the second film in the X/Pearl/MaXXXine trilogy, and it’s a doozie. A rural-poor girl with big dreams of silver-screen stardom is thwarted by her ultra-conservative parents (and a string of disappointing male encounters), and she… well, she loses it. It’s splashy, fun, and definitely one of my favorite horror films made in the last decade.

Saint Maud — Annnd in the category of “films that made me feel super uneasy but were extremely visually interesting,” Saint Maud is a meditation on religious fanaticism and… well, you’ll see for yourself. TW, this one is a trip, IMO.

It Follows — Another film I’d lump into the “best horror film of the last decade or so” category, this A24 sleeper hit will have you watching your back (literally) and feeling paranoia through the ROOF. You’ve been warned.

So, what are your favorite horror classics? Remember, it’s never too early to give ‘em a whirl, besties.

Xoxo,

MM.

It’s not always received well when you live your life with your heart on your sleeve. For some, it comes off as “annoying” (likely because they aren’t in touch with their own emotions — PS, that’s a them problem, babe), or perhaps it makes them feel “intimidated” (their own emotions scare them, so your comfortability with leaning into yours is a bit jarring to said person). But, what happens when you still choose, day in and day out, to show up as your most authentic, vulnerable, and soft self in a kinda harsh world? 

Well, sometimes magic happens… Buuuut sometimes you get hurt. Sometimes you go with the flow, and let all the “big” feelings rush over you like gentle waves — buuuut sometimes they knock ya’ down. Either way, that’s a risk I’m willing to take.

Being soft in a hard world is actually very brave

I’m a sensitive person. I’m the definition of “ESFJ” — with an emphasis on the “S” (sensing) and “F” (feeling) — and I’ve never not been. If you show me a video of a cute dog, I will cry, every time, without fail. If I spend a heartwarming evening with my close friends, you best believe I’ll be telling each and every one of them how much I love them, and absolutely gushing all evening (especially after a couple glasses of wine, a-la “I love you guys, man!”). It’s just who I am— but, for years I put on the “tough” act, mostly for fear of being judged, ridiculed, and, honestly, hurt.

Inevitably, I found that when I leaned into being “tough,” I just became angry. Angry; apathetic; listless, most of the time. And that was very hard for me. I never felt full of any genuine sensation— never allowing myself to become too excited (for fear of disappointment), and never letting myself lean in and process it when things did hurt a little (leading to an eventual “blow up” when sh*t did hit the fan)… and it sucked. 

When I was in my early 20’s, that just stopped working for me. I’d had my heart broken for the first time, the world was a mess (hello, 2016 election!), my family had some rough situations going on, and I felt entirely exhausted with life. So, I started going to therapy. And I found that when I said my feelings out loud (and thus, released them out into the ether without fear of judgment) things felt a lot… lighter. 

And guess what? That felt a lot better. Well, better after a while, at least. Confronting our emotions (especially for the first time!) can be a bizarre and overwhelming experience, after all. But once I sat with my feelings, once I really leaned in, I found that it became easier for me to open up not only to my therapist, but to everyone in my life.

Why I’ll stay committed to being “soft”

When I began to open up to the people I loved (and even to total strangers on those random nights at a festival when you meet your very temporary new best friend or love of your life), I found that I became more magnetic; people were drawn to me, and in turn, more open and authentic with me, too. I found and married the true love of my life (my now husband, Andrew); I made more meaningful friendships; I networked more in business; I took more risks; I laughed louder; I cried harder; I let myself feel something… and I’m never going back.

Though at times I’m sure I can be “intense” to some people— I don’t really care. Those people, for whatever reason, just aren’t going to be my people— and that’s okay. Not everyone is! Hell, those people might even hurt my feelings from time to time (because I have a lot of those), but I don’t regret choosing to remain soft and open hearted in an all-too-often cold and closed off world. Because, at the end of the day, at least I’m living my truth.

Gone is the passionless life I led before— and now is the time for feeling my life, because I only get to live it once. If you find that you’re a “sensitive” person, I’m here to tell you that I think that’s incredibly brave. It takes serious courage to show up as your authentic self in the face of a shallow world, and you’re the bravest person I know. So, don’t let anyone dim your shine— because as the old saying goes, “those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.”

Xoxo,

MM.

Iconic Philly DJ Ben Arsenal and friends did it again — Departed S3 E3 was back at The Ave Live and better than ever last weekend.

If you missed out on Departed this past weekend, you truly fumbled the weekend-plans-bag, y’all. Departed returned to The Ave Live in Northern Liberties this past Saturday (after heading up to Brooklyn, NY for a spell earlier in the month) and it was an electric evening with sets by DJ Philthy Phil, Francis Mercier, Val Fluery (who just came off an impressive Coachella run!), Ben Arsenal and more.

It was a night of dancing, visual and performance art, and dreaming — and it was even more exciting than the last.

What is Departed Together?

As Ben Arsenal recently stated to Philly outlet ‘Wooder Ice,’ at each Departed event guests can expect “(…) a premiere, immersive house music experience bringing global electronic culture, live performance, and world-class DJs to one place” for an evening of total immersion.

Every time I attend a Departed event, I’m personally blown away by the absolute dedication by each artist working to bring together such a cohesive, moving experience. From flow and aerial artists, to large art installations hanging from the ceiling, to the amalgam of DJs collaborating and spinning unique tracks all night long, you will never associate Departed with the word “boring.”

Everywhere you look, you’ll find a new visual art piece to take in; everywhere you go, you’ll hear the bass thumping all night long. Departed is truly an all-encompassing audio-visual experience, and I’ve yet to find another event like it in the area.

How do I catch the next Departed?

To get the full scoop on my Departed experience, follow my Instagram and check out my latest posts. To get the most up-to-date info on the next Departed event happening around town, follow Departed Together’s official Instagram and stay tuned for their next announcement!

Xoxo,

MM.

Brunches, lunches, work meetings, happy hours, spin classes, concerts, weddings, trips and travel and — a girl can easily lose her cool in the heat of the summer-event swirl. Here are some tips to stay sane (and keep your life organized!) this season.

Summer brings with it a lot of… events. The world slowly creeps back to life every spring (at least here in the northeast, where the demi-perma winter seems to make the whole world slow to a stop from December to March), and suddenly your social calendar starts to revive, too. Instead of just going to work and the occassional spin or yoga class, you start getting invited to weddings; more brunches; hell, maybe an extra outdoor yoga class because health and sunshine, right? It all feels exciting, and at first you take it all in stride — but suddenly, you get invited to one more thing, and you realize you realllllly haven’t slept eight hours or been home for more than 30-minutes in, like, three days, and you inevitably hit a wall.

If you want to enjoy your summer (and all the fun stuff that comes with it!) but don’t want to burn yourself out, try these tips for cultivating balance as the summer heats up (from a girl who’s burnt herself out and had to re-adjust a time or two before) —

Tips to stay on top of your event calendar this summer

Y’all, you have to keep a calendar. I know, I know — it seems like something your grandmother would’ve done way back when, but you’d be amazed at how many things can slip your mind when you’re thrown headlong into a busy week, month, or (in this case) entire season. I recommend going digital (I cross-reference my Outlook calendar from work with my personal calendar on Google) and saving some trees, but however you need to keep track of dates and events — do it. Don’t rely on your mind alone (or an iPhone reminder that pings, maybe, five minutes before you need to be at an event a 30-minute Uber ride away) and make sure you write stuff down.

Writing things out in a calendar view can also help you gauge exactly how busy you are — it may feel alright to take on an event on a Tuesday when you “don’t have any plans,” until you remember Tuesday was literally the only day in the week you have to yourself (and your laundry pile is glaring at you from the corner of your bedroom — IYKYK).

Boundary setting tips when you do need a break

Sometimes it’s okay to say to yourself “girl, sit down.” It’s also okay to say “no,” and in fact “no” is (debatably) a complete sentence. 🙂

If you’re at capacity, you have to slow down. It’s like that quote therapists like to use, “If you don’t give your body a break, it will take one on its own, and it probably won’t be at a convenient time.” So, assert yourself. Say “no,” and don’t mind if folks get pissed off when you do. That sounds a lot like a them problem, bestie!

Overall, summer should be a time to revel in the abundant sunshine, make memories with the people we love, and most importantly enjoy ourselves. Don’t sweat the small stuff, and remember that you can only take on so much. Choose wisely.

Xoxo,

MM.

TW: This article deals with the topics of trauma, triggers, and PTSD.

Before Mental Health Awareness Month comes to an end, I felt compelled (after an intense six-or-so months of confronting some of my deepest and most intense ‘triggers’ through therapy) to share some of my personal experience when it comes to dealing with trauma.

Trauma is a really sensitive subject, and I’m no mental health professional (of course), but I am someone who has lived with OCD, chronic depression and GAD plus complex trauma for many, many years — and it’s a lifelong struggle.

However, it is manageable, there is hope, and you’re not alone if you’re dealing with the daily onslaught of ‘triggers’ that seem to be all around us. So, how do you cope when you can’t avoid a trigger? How do you show up every day and remind yourself life is also full of ‘glimmers’? Let’s dive in —

What is a ‘trigger’?

The best definition I could find of a ‘trigger’ comes from UPMC HealthBeat, which states that a ‘trauma trigger’ is, “(…) things that remind (you) of the original trauma. These reminders are called trauma triggers, and they can be a common issue for people living with unhealed trauma.”

For example, let’s say you hear a song on the radio that was playing when your particular traumatic event occurred. Or, perhaps you drive past the place where an accident that left you traumatized took place. (These are just a couple examples, but you get the idea.) You may suddenly begin, even subconsciously, to feel ‘fight or flight’ sensations, such as —

• A ‘tight’ feeling in your chest

• Sweating, shaking, or flushing

• Nausea, headaches

• Pins and needles (especially in your extremities)

• Extreme hot or cold feelings — temperature dysregulation

… and many, many more. On one hand, it’s hard to believe that our mental state can affect that many aspects of our physical body — but on the other hand, it makes a lot of sense.

A trigger is anything that reminds you of a time in which you felt unsafe or out of control, when a trauma occurred and you couldn’t ‘get away’ from it. Thus, the ‘fight or flight’ bodily reactions kick in, and you once again feel unsafe and ultimately not ‘at home’ in your own body. And trust me when I say — it is the worst.

How to cope with being triggered

One strategy for coping with triggers is avoiding them in the first place – but we live in a big, wild world, and that’s not always possible (nor realistic), unfortunately.

So, what do you do when you can’t avoid a trigger? When you’re at work in the middle of the day, and can’t take the day off? When you’re being a caregiver or someone in charge of a child or other person and you can’t take even a moment to yourself? Well, hopefully you can take some time for yourself to honor and respect those big, and often frightening feelings (because they are absolutely valid), but when you need to quickly self-regulate and calm down your PNS (“parasympathetic nervous system,” the part of our anatomy that controls such bodily reactions), I recommend these tips that have helped me get through tough times:

• Tapping. This trauma tapping technique was developed specifically for trauma survivors, and can be very effective in managing trauma quickly and in the moment.

• Box breathing. Another easy-to-learn and use method, box breathing is a simple breathing technique that can aid in regaining control of your breath and calming your nervous sytem.

• Affirmations. Sometimes, simply saying to yourself (out loud or silently, in your mind) affirmations such as ‘I am safe,’ or ‘I am loved,’ on repeat can create a sense of calm. The repetition and encouraging sentiment of the phrases can help you settle into a more regulated state of mind.

• Leaning on a trusted contact/support person. This is my personal favorite, because I find much comfort in leaning into the love in my life. Call a friend or other trusted contact when everything feels like too much to bare — simply vocalizing how you’re feeling to a trusted contact can take a lot of the pressure off and remind you that you aren’t alone in this fight.

Triggers aren’t always avoidable, but they don’t have to entirely disarm us when we brush up against them.

What is a ‘glimmer’?

Now that we got the more difficult bit out in the open, let’s shift gears. What about those little moments, or smells, or sounds, or whatever they may be that make you feel inexplicably good? That fresh-vanilla scent you catch from the spring air sometimes that reminds you of a positive childhood memory; the stillness and calm you feel when your beloved furry-friends sleep in your lap; the sunshine on your skin that makes you feel warm from the outside in? Those, my friends, are ‘glimmers,’ and we can learn to tune into them and notice them more and more in the present moment, every day.

Noticing the ‘glimmers’ every day

A large part of learning to notice the ‘glimmers’ involves remembering to be present — you can’t notice something as easily when you’re preoccupied or distracted and your mind is somewhere else.

For example, what if you took a moment to step outside today, and just feel the air on your skin? What if you took a second to appreciate the flowers growing in the flowerbed outside of your work place, and notice their various shades and hues? What if you allowed yourself to take even five minutes to listen to a favorite song in between the mad rush of today’s tasks? All of these things and so many more can be ‘glimmers,’ little bits of shining light we find in the present moment, that remind us that life is wondrous, and beautiful, and it’s not so extraordinary to think so.

Overall, I’m a firm believer that, just by surviving your trauma and still being here, you are so brave. You can and you will heal — it just takes time. But, all the while, we can learn to ride the waves; embrace the ‘glimmers,’ cope with the ‘triggers,’ and never judge ourselves for the times we simply did what we had to do in order to survive.

You’re not alone, and if you ever need a safe-space to sound off, I’m an email away.

Xoxo,

MM.

I previously wrote about the difference between intuition and anxiety (i.e., when to trust your intuitive feelings around a situation vs. when anxiety is overshooting the mark a little), but what even is a “gut feeling”? Do you know when you’re experiencing one? Do you lean in and listen, or do you shy away from it? Let’s dig a lil’ deeper —

What is a “gut feeling”?

This might seem obvious; but a “gut feeling” is actually somewhat hard to describe. It’s one of those feelings you just get, and you don’t usually even know why, or where it came from — but it tends to be pretty much all-consuming, to be frank, and it often can emotionally hijack your plans.

Picture this: you walk into a room full of people, do the standard meet-and-greets, and something immediately feels off about someone you interact with. You don’t know why this person makes you feel some-type-of-way, but they do. That, my friends, is a “gut feeling,” and it can be jarring, frankly.

As I wrote previously, sometimes it’s maybe just your anxiety projecting a false narrative based on a bad experience from the past — that’s a valid question to ask yourself, after all — but what about when it’s not a façade, and you genuinely know something is off?

That, besties, is when you trust your gut.

When to trust your gut

You’ve realized something is definitely off, and you’re 99.9% sure you aren’t “overreacting” or missing the mark; so you gotta’ go what you gotta’ do.

First of all, remove yourself from the situation if you can. If you’re in a place where you feel genuinely unsafe or just generally uncomfortable, you have the right to excuse yourself. If you aren’t able to leave (maybe it’s a “have to do this” type of situation), you aren’t powerless.

You can refuse to engage with someone who’s activating a trigger for you, for one — to see a great example of this, check out the way Ariana Madix recently handled an awkward moment with her toxic ex Tom Sandoval in this season’s Vanderpump Rules finale! You can also engage with them if you have to (i.e., if someone is being aggressive or continues to approach you), but tell them exactly how you feel and set a firm boundary — try saying something like, “You can’t speak to me like this, so this conversation is over.” Last but not least, you can re-evaluate if you really have to be in this situation. There’s great power in just knowing when to walk away, and sometimes removing yourself from a situation you don’t feel good about is the best option overall.

You’re more perceptive than you know

Trust your gut, besties. It doesn’t lie. We’re naturally more perceptive than we often give ourselves credit for, so if something doesn’t feel right, trust that feeling. Because, again… when ya’ know, ya’ know.

Xoxo,

MM.

Philly — your Saturday morning plans are sorted.

Yoga culture can be… low-key intimidating, if we’re being honest. It seems like joining a yoga studio is a life or death decision sometimes — “but what if I’m not on the same level as everyone else?” Or, you might feel like you have to be a certified “yogi” in order to attend that one super-long-hot-Bikram session your bestie wants you to check out.

In reality, none of those things are true, and you can find many accessible, inclusive, and affordable yoga options all over the place these days. However, the cost to purchase a membership at some yoga studios can sometimes be a bit prohibitive, and some studios do only welcome practitioners of certain levels into their classes… so, what is one to do?

That’s where Phlo City Yoga comes in. At only $10 a session, Phlo City Yoga offers all-level, outdoor yoga every Saturday (all spring and summer long!) in Liberty Lands park. Recently, my friend Rachel and I decided to attend one of these Phlo City Yoga sessions, and here was our experience!

Phlo City Yoga Pop-Up Sessions: Every Saturday at Liberty Lands Park

The session began at 10 AM sharp, with a guided, grounding meditation to set the tone for the rest of the session. An experienced instructor took us through a meditation “among the trees,” which I felt personally helped me quiet my mind after a long week (and before heading off into a busy weekend).

Once the meditation session was finished and intentions had been set, the instructor then ran us through a full 55-minute flow, which was adaptable to all skill levels, and made me feel entirely grounded in my body and like I’d moved some major energy through my system (in a good way!) and kept myself and all the other participants engaged, focused, and flowing the entire time.

After the meditation and flow sessions were officially complete, the owner of Phlo City Yoga, Alyssa Hutchinson, invited us all to share some delicious pastries and fun conversation (cued by adorable conversation cards) together in the park, adding to the sense of “community” this new project intends to foster. It was a beautiful time with beautiful souls coming together to flow and connect, and I was extremely happy that I’d made the choice to attend.

If you’re interested in attending a Phlo City Yoga pop-up class, you can find more information and admission info on their website.

Xoxo,

MM.

Recently, I had the pleasure of attending The Philadelphia Museum of Art’s ‘La Vie de Cassat’ event, hosted at The Rittenhouse Hotel in honor of the all-new Mary Cassat at Work exhibitition coming to the museum this summer. An evening filled with light bites and French fair, La Vie de Cassat was an exquisite platform for museum curators, art historians and Philadelphia press to explore what this groundbreaking exhibit will have to offer beginning May 18th.

‘La Vie de Cassat’ — An Evening Devoted to Mary Cassat’s Art and Achievements

The evening began at 6 PM sharp at The Rittenhouse, with a selection of French-inspired bites and drinks being served in the Mary Cassat Tea Room and the gorgeous garden tucked away behind its French doors.

Cassat was a Pennsylvanian herself (before moving to Paris to pursue her art career in earnest), and her brother had owned a home on the very site where this hotel was eventually built. Cassat would make her own way to Philadelphia eventually and spent much time staying in that house — it felt like quite the full circle moment.

Once everyone was settled in and finished mixing and mingling, the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Chief Marketing Officer, as well as the exhibition’s co-curators, gave remarks about the exhibition, and about the expansive nature of Mary Cassat’s work (which took them over four years to compile!), and her raw dedication to her craft. An impressionist whose talent and dedication allowed her to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with her male contemporaries (like Monet, for one), Cassat’s popularity laid the groundwork for female artists from thereon out.

The evening ended with a glass of Mural City Cellars’ special edition Cab Franc Rosé, inspired by the exhibition Mary Cassat at Work, which was a lovely, refreshing way to end the night and kick off a summer full of bustling art and cultural events coming to the City of Brotherly Love.

Visit the exhibit all summer long

You can visit the Mary Cassat at Work exhibition this summer at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, starting May 18th — purchase your tickets here, and enjoy!

Xoxo,

MM.

Lighten up. It could save your life — seriously.

I’ve been having a really fun time these last few weeks. As the weather warms up and the world comes alive again, I’ve felt more like myself, and like the dark wintery clouds that hung over my head for a couple months finally just… dissipated. I’ve been more social, less serious, and, did I mention less serious?

I find that when I say I “feel more like myself,” I mean I feel more carefree. My general disposition, for those who know me well, tends to be a pretty sunny one. I like to look on the bright side; to see the good in folks as much as possible; to spend my time laughing, even at myself from time to time, and leaning into the humorous, absurdist aspects of this (sincerely) miraculous existence whenever possible.

All that said, I recently asked myself, “If that’s the case, why do I tend to abandon those traits entirely when life gets even throws a minor stressor my way?” Of course, we all have moments in life that are no laughing matter (when we really have to dig deep), and moments that we can just take as they come (when we can let our hair down somewhat and just live a little) — but when our parasympathetic nervous system isn’t quite as regulated as it should be (and, spoiler alert, many of us aren’t quite there yet), we might find ourselves overreacting to more insignificant stressors. Let me explain —

How to stop taking yourself (and thus, your stressors) so seriously

I’ve definitely been there, and can certainly go there some days. I’m sure everyone can relate. I mean, picture this: one little thing goes wrong in your day — spilled coffee, a sassy person on the subway, blah blah blah — and suddenly you decide that life sucks. You jump straight into feeling stressed out, pissed off, and ready to “just give up,” when what happened really wasn’t… well, wasn’t even close to the end of the world. Right?

Sometimes you spill coffee; why isn’t the reaction to laugh at yourself for being a little clumsy, clean it up, and go on about your day? Sometimes someone is sassy on the subway; that sounds like a them problem.

Research even suggests that folks who can laugh at themselves are not only happier, but genuinely even healthier than their more perma-serious counterparts. So maybe laughter really is the best medicine after all? (At least in some cases.)

Again — there are moments in life that really suck. I’ve had moments of grief; moments of loss; moments when I had to really, really lock in, focus, and push through… we all have. Unfortunately, some of us get dealt more of those moments than others, which seems even more unfair. But that said (and luckily), those moments don’t seem to happen every day.

In fact, though those moments have a big impact on our lives, they (fortunately) happen only a handful of times to most of us reading this — and, as painful a truth as that is, it doesn’t summarize the entirety of our existence. So, if today isn’t your day, but it’s also not the end of the world, relax. Get a good laugh in today, however you can, and remember: you don’t have to take life so seriously.

Xoxo,

MM.