I know what you may be thinking— oh boy, here she goes again talking about how busy life is these days.

Well, it is, and I know I’m not the only one feeling the pressure as vaccinations ramp up and the world seems to come into full-force again. The days are feeling shorter (even as they get longer as we catapult into summertime), and sometimes it feels like we’re all just doing all we can do to simply get by. To complete the day’s tasks and simply get through it, in other words.

That said, it seems like a far-off reach to talk about planning for the future and goal-setting when you’re just trying to survive the day. However, I’ve found that (even on days I feel like I’m losing my mind— which is most days), there are simple, not-so-time-consuming ways to work toward your longer term goals (and define them, if you aren’t quite sure what they are yet) in real, tangible ways.

From creating and utilizing simple vision boards to taking the “baby steps” needed to reach a longer term goal, here are some things you can do to work toward your goals (even when your schedule is packed full of real-life priorities).

Goal setting for the jet-setters, busy-bodies, and go-getters

Stuck at work all day? Watching the kids? A little bit of both? Here are some things you can still do to prioritize your goals and visions for the future in a realistic, simple way:

• Phone. Notes. I am a bit believer in the “5-minute iPhone note break.” — If you have a big idea (or even a little-but-good idea), don’t just let it pass you by. You can take 5 minutes to yourself to think out loud, capture that thought, and jot it down in your phone notes.

• Now, it can’t just stay in the phone notes. How can you set that great idea into action? Take another 5-minute break tomorrow (but don’t forget!) and break the idea down into tangible tasks. Looking to start an online business? Write “set up a website”, or “define my product”, or anything along those lines.

• Then? Take 5-minutes tomorrow to actually try to do one of those tasks, or at least get one started. Take 5-minutes more tomorrow, or again that evening if you can. The point? Most of us can always take 5-minutes to scroll on our phones, so why not take 5-minutes to do something for ourselves every once in a while?

• Tried taking your 5-minute breaks of “me” time to think and reconnect, but that’s just not enough? Try incorporating your goals into your existing daily routine. Taking care of kids all day? Watch a “mommy-and-me” yoga video on YouTube to get that daily workout in (if you’re working toward health goals.) Have a pet to care for while working remotely? Take that meeting outside, on your phone, while you take Fido or Spot for a nice long walk (again, an easy way to meet simple health goals.)

• Don’t have the luxury or privilege of working from home, but still need some time to yourself to create, ideate, and work toward your longer-term goals? Revert back to the “5-minute” rule above. What can you do on your 15-minute break? Or your 30? That empowers you? Be it downloading a free meditation app (like HeadSpace) on your phone and doing a 10-minute session, or doing some phone research on a long-term goal of yours (like a new career path you’d like to pursue, your next big idea, etc.), the “short-but-powerful” break timing comes into play again here. I worked three jobs in college and this was often how I parceled out my time— if I was on a break, I did something that actually empowered me for a change, instead of worrying about others’ priorities.

Again, many of these things seem like a luxury (and there is a lot to be said about privilege when we have the conversation about goal-setting, self-care, and having enough time in the day to do all that), but there are exceedingly simple and not-so-time-consuming things you can do that don’t detract from your regular routine that will empower, inspire, and eventually lead you a step closer to where you want to be.

The baby-steps I took while working three jobs in college helped nudge me closer and closer to where I am now, and where I am now is a stepping-stone to where I want to be in a few years. Catch my drift? What can you do for you and your goals on this lovely Thursday? Think about it, and put it into action, even if just for a few minutes a day.

Xoxo, MM.

Anyone who knows me knows that one of my life-long (well, since I was roughly 13, but it feels life-long) struggles has been with acne— yes, the dreaded, hormonal, bacterial, seemingly-for-no-reason acne. Most of us deal with it, but for many it goes away after puberty and adolescence subside (and adulthood comes into full force.) However, for some of us, acne persists well into adulthood, and that was my case.

So, what does one do when they’re no longer a 15 year old pleading to the Proactiv powers-that-be? You call a real dermatologist, and you devise a treatment plan. Luckily, since I’ve been in WV this year due to the new wave of digital nomadism spurred by COVID-19, I’ve been close by to Southern Wellness and Skin Center, and all I can say is, that place is the real deal.

Devising a treatment plan for adult acne

Upon visiting Southern Wellness and Skin Center, I was told by Tonia Daniels (RN, MSN, FNP-BC) that, in addition to a regimen of cleansing with Cerave gentle cleansing solution and applying topical Tretinoin cream every night, I would likely benefit from a Nordlys laser facial treatment regimen.

I was a bit skeptical at first— I was one of those “I’ve tried everything” people, after all— but boy oh boy, was I pleasantly surprised. The treatment consists of about four or five treatments with the Nordlys Ellipse IPL Laser (and mine will end with the more powerful, resurfacing Frax laser), and a few days after just one treatment I could see visible results.

Nordlys Ellipse IPL Laser Treatment results

In short, after only one treatment my skin was so smooth. My pores appeared smaller, and my acne scars had faded considerably. I was also getting new breakouts less often, and in general my skin tone looked more even.

After two treatments? Even better. After three and four? Well, see for yourself:

Yep. That’s me with no makeup on. I never, ever thought I’d feel comfortable sharing a no-makeup-selfie (because, yikes, that’s scary when you’ve dealt with chronic acne all your life!), but here we are. I haven’t even had my “final” treatment yet, and the results have already been mind-blowing.

If you struggle with adult acne I recommend calling a healthcare provider and scheduling an appointment today to learn if this treatment is right for you. It changed my skin (and kind of my life, as dramatic as that sounds), and I’m still in awe of how well it’s gone (and how simple the process has been!) In other words— if you’re curious about laser facial treatments, definitely look into it. It may be just the thing you need to rejuvenate and restore your skin’s surface and tone.

Xoxo, MM.

As some may know (and some may not), fully electric cars don’t handle quite like a traditional motor vehicle would. That said, learning to drive our Tesla Model 3 was a bit of a learning-curve, and since a few of you have asked questions about it, I thought I’d address them in a post. Let’s dive right in—

No “creep”— how electric cars stop and go

In a regular car with a regular motor, a car in “drive” will “creep” on a flat plane. I.e, a car will slowly start to move forward when in “drive” as long as the motor is running. In an electric car, however, you do not get this “creep” effect (unless you mod your car’s specs to specifically imitate “creep”, which isn’t quite the same still yet and feels a little “off”), and if you aren’t putting your foot to the pedal, the car will not move. At all. Our Tesla Model 3, for example, will come to a complete stop in the middle of the road if your foot is not applying some type of pressure to the pedal. This can be very disorienting at first when you’re just trying to “coast”, but it has its benefits, too.

For example, at a stop sign or stop light, I can typically just stop applying pressure to the “go” pedal and the car will come to a complete stop (which the Tesla operating system refers to as “HOLD” mode.) In other words, unless you’re going down hill or need to stop more quickly, you don’t have to keep your foot on the break at a traffic stop. The car will simply “hold” itself in place if the “go” pedal isn’t being applied, which is pretty convenient in drive-thrus, IMO.

Auto-steer and self-driving and assisted-driving modes

The question my husband and I get about our car most often is, “Can it drive itself?” Short answer— yes, but it’s a bit nuanced.

Long answer: yes, but there are a few caveats, and a human being should always be paying attention at the wheel (just in case.) In general, Tesla’s in assisted-driving mode will drive at a set speed, but you still have to fully steer. The car will slow, accelerate and stop itself, but you have to steer in this mode. In auto-steering (or, more commonly, “self-driving” car mode), the Tesla will also steer itself, but it will get a little miffed and issue a “warning” signal on the dash controls if a human being isn’t applying a little pressure to (i.e., keeping their hand on) the steering-wheel after a period of time.

My husband and I find a ton of value in both self-driving modes, however, and find that not having to worry about keeping up our speed (via Tesla’s “assisted-driving” mode, which is like the world’s smartest version of “cruise control”) is super convenient on long road trips, especially.

Learning to drive an electric car is quite the learning curve, but once you master it I guarantee you’ll be loathe to go back to a “normal” car. The Tesla can accelerate to 60mph in 3.7 seconds as well, but I’ll save that (and other “fun” details) for next time.

That said, let me know what else you would like to know about Teslas. As we learn more about our vehicle we have a ton of fun stuff to share, so I’m always open to some Q&A!

Xoxo, MM.

As promised, here’s an entire post on where (and what) we ate in New Orleans! Let’s dive right in—

Oceana Grill

Notable: the blackened alligator bites and crawfish etoufée! Yum!

Café du Monde

Notable: of course, the AMAZING FRESH BEIGNETS (seriously, to die for) and a piping hot cup of café-au-lait. 

The Gumbo Shop

Notable: the seafood okra gumbo, as well as the house-made jambalaya. 

Parasol’s (Po Boys)

Notable: the firecracker shrimp po-boy, which my coworker Serena recommended from her time living in NOLA that we just couldn’t pass up!

Tujague’s

Notable: a dinner with three courses, beginning with the best charbroiled oysters I’ve ever eaten, headed into a spicy shrimp and grits that nearly knocked me out (in the best way), and ending with a homemade southern bread-pudding that I may or may not still be dreaming about TBH. 

LUKE (Brunch)

Notable: the Yukon potato hash and the southern cheesy grits. Both SO good and nice and hearty for a big brunch before a day out on the town.

Aunt Sally’s (Pralines)

Notable: the pralines, of course! Probably my favorite of all the brands (fresh and pre-packaged) that we tried. 

And many, MANY more street stop bars for a quick drink, such as Tropical Isle’s famous “hand-grenade” and beyond!

If you like food and drink, you can’t top New Orleans. Don’t believe me? Try it for yourself sometime!

Xoxo, MM. 

Well, it happened again— my soul fell in love with yet another beautiful US city, and this time it was the legendary New Orleans, Louisiana. 

I’ve wanted to travel to New Orleans for *years* and once my husband and I were fully vaccinated we knew we had to go. It was about time, and I’m so glad we did, because the good times definitely never stop rolling in “The Big Easy.” 

New Orleans, Louisiana: why you should visit

(AKA, reasons I chose to visit the beautiful Crescent City, and why you should, too!)

Some of the best food in the world. Seriously. World-renowned French, Spanish and Cajun inspired creole cuisine you can only find here in NOLA, like crawfish etoufee, seafood gumbo, and beyond— and don’t worry, I’m writing a whole separate post on eating in New Orleans, lol!

Seriously cool American, French, Spanish, Haitian, and African history. From voodoo rituals in Armstrong Park every Sunday (since the 1700s), to the historic French Quarter to Pirate’s Alley and all around, there’s *so much rich history* in NOLA, I don’t even know where to begin.

Arts and artists of all kinds. From Anne Rice (the famous novelist, and one of my main reasons for visiting the city) to local artisans, jazz musicians’ birthplaces, etc., there is always an artist playing music in the streets, someone painting in the park, etc. in the beautiful city of New Orleans!

New Orleans, Louisiana: things to do

Since all I listed above is a great example of the hundreds (near thousands) of things you can do in New Orleans, I’m going to drill-down some of our favorite sight-seeing and excursions adventures from our recent trip and share them here:

Cajun Encounters Swamp Tour. Also known for its beautiful setting in the Gulf waters, NOLA and the surrounding areas are notorious for beautiful, vibrant swamplands and river lands full of unique flora and fauna. For example, on our Cajun Encounters tour we saw wild boar, raccoons, and of COURSE plenty of gators!

Haunted walking tour. This haunted walking tour that we found on TripAdvisor was certainly a worthy enterprise, as it discussed by beloved Anne Rice and incredibly cool Voodoo, vampire, and witchcraft history. Dispelling offensive voodoo myths and providing clear, credible knowledge around such topics, this tour was both fun and informative and kicked off in the beautiful (and historic) Armstrong Park, heading toward Frenchmen Street with many stops along the way. 

Walking the French Quarter (and exploring every nook and cranny). This is probably what we enjoyed the most (and spent most of our time doing), as the French Quarter has just *so* much to see and do! Bourbon Street aside (however, Bourbon is certainly worth visiting for a drink and some legendary people-watching), the French Quarter has streets upon streets of beautiful homes, shops, flea markets, Jackson Square, Pirate’s Alley, and so much more to explore. You could spend an entire week-long vacation just walking the FQ, I’m pretty sure, and you’d find something new and fun to do every day!

Touring The Garden District. One of the quicker stops on our trip, The Garden District was worth peeking into to see some historic homes, such as Anne Rice’s former home on First Street, as well as the Buckner Mansion where American Horror Story: Coven was filmed. 

And so, so much more!

— Oh, and don’t worry, like I said before, I’m creating a whole separate post on where to eat in NOLA (since NOLA is probably the best food city I’ve ever been to, TBH.)

All in all? DO NOT sleep on New Orleans. Seriously. This is among the best cities I’ve ever visited in the USA, and you won’t regret it for a second when you take a trip down to The Big Easy.

Xoxo, MM.

If some of you are anything like my husband and I, you’ve been working from home since March 2020. That means, clearly, that we’ve officially lapped the one-year anniversary of society shutting down, which has been a wild, exhausting, at times at terrifying ride. On the other hand, though, it means you might have had new opportunities to branch out, live elsewhere (maybe even on the road) and reconnect with your friends and families in new, digital ways, which hasn’t been all bad.

But, if you’re anything like us, you’ve likely asked— when does this end? I google “how do pandemics end” at least three times a week at this rate, and there’s (sadly) never a clear answer. So, I look elsewhere— to my employer, to my government, and beyond… but that also yields no answers. Whether you’re enjoying living on the road and working remotely or not (for me, it depends on the day, really), you are likely wondering when this ends and living in a sort of pandemic-induced-limbo, which can be, if nothing else, confusing AF.

Work from home, digital nomadism, and beyond: when does it end, and will it end?

The biggest issue I’ve had with this new brand of “digital-nomadism” is my own sense of insecurity around it actually lasting. It’s hard for me to believe that a short-lived (relatively speaking, of course) pandemic of 2-3 years in length will alter the world forever; however, some signs are showing that it just might do exactly that.

Companies like Spotify are allowing employees permanent remote-work options at NYC/San Francisco pay rates. Microsoft is thinking the same thing (though a more hybrid model). Other companies aren’t so sure, and that’s where I feel quite stuck.

My company isn’t sure what they’re going to do yet, which is fine and completely understandable, but it’s left my husband and I with quite the predicament, which is (in short)— where the heck do we live?

We have been staying with my mom for nearly 10 months now. Yes, 10 months. We left Philadelphia in May 2020 as the first lockdown eased, only holding on to our apartment in the hopes that offices (and the world) would reopen, be alright, etc. in a reasonable amount of time. When it became clear that wasn’t going to happen, however, we let go of our Philadelphia abode and moved ourselves, some of our things, and our pets in with my mom more “permanently.”

We know we can’t live with her forever, but the problem persists— WHERE THE HECK DO WE LIVE?! We have jobs based in Philadelphia, PA, so you’d think we’d live there, right? Well, not when a pandemic has kept our offices there closed for 1+ years and that’s not necessarily where we’d live if we could live anywhere (forever, as in: work from home forever), after all.

So therein lies our problem. Digital nomadism sounds awesome, until you don’t know whether or not you’re going to be called back to your office (and, in turn, their base city) in a matter of weeks or months, or if you’re going to be told (at some unspecified time) if working remote is going to last forever.

We have no idea when the pandemic is going to end. We have no idea if variants will significantly de-rail vaccination efforts. We have no idea if our offices will accept a certain level of risk-tolerance for vaccinated employees, so we can’t really do anything right now. We can’t accept a year-long lease in a new, fun city, because what if we have to go back to the office this summer on the chance that things look up? We can’t buy an AirStream and travel across the country with much confidence for the same reason— if work from home ends and we have to live in a major US city, where would we park (and when would we use) such an expensive buy? We can’t buy a home for the same reasons. We can’t, we can’t, we can’t.

Is anyone else feeling this sort of stuck as summer comes around the corner? Don’t get me wrong— now that we’re fully vaccinated we plan to travel this summer, but not knowing where to live (and not knowing where to pursue a place of our own) has been very confusing, disrupting, and weirdly liberating for the last 14-ish months, and… I’m just not sure where we’ll go from here. So, how is everyone else dealing with this? I’d love to discuss and come up with some creative ideas for semi-permanent digital nomadism, if possible, this summer.

Xoxo, MM.

Disclaimer: I am clearly not a medical professional. The only person you should trust when it comes to making decisions about your health and wellbeing is a trusted doctor— a medical professional with doctoral experience that can accurately give you a portrait of your health and wellbeing before you make medical decisions!

With that said, I want to share my experience for those who are medically able to get the vaccine but are a bit weary/unsure/etc. Taking the “leap of faith” to believe in cutting-edge science may seem daunting at first, but this is so much bigger than any one of us as individuals, and I promise my experience getting the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was incredibly simple and not scary at all. I am fine. I am thrilled, actually, to know that I am protected (and mounting evidence suggests I’m likely protecting others, too), and that I can actually have a real summer, now. Let me explain further—

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine: the process

Essentially, the process went like this for my husband and I (and most of our family and friends who’ve also received the shot)— we signed up on the Walgreens list and our state’s registration list, and eventually a local Walgreens had two doses of Moderna about to expire and, when we got the call to go receive them before they expired, we went right away. Now, however, the process is even simpler, with a bloat of vaccines starting to come on the market, and everyone 16 and up encouraged to contact local pharmacies to claim unused vaccine doses in the state of West Virginia (and in many other states.)

Once we got to Walgreens, the shot was literally like any other vaccine I’d ever received. Nothing scary, nothing different. It felt completely normal. We signed some paper-work, as we’ve done with other shots in the past (hello, Hepatitis A/B combo the week before going to Morocco!), then we waited. Soon, we were called back into the vaccination cubicle. Basically, from there, the pharmacist swabbed my arm with a cleaning alcohol-based solution, administered my shot, covered it in a bandaid— and viola! That was literally it. I felt nothing. And guess what? The second dose (since I got Moderna, which is a two-dose vaccine, not a single-shot like J&J— which my mother received and is also effective—) was just as easy. In and out in 15 minutes max. No hassle, no trouble. Didn’t feel a thing. Wham, bam, thank you ma’am.

Side note: COVID-19 vaccines are known to produce some side effects that go away typically in a couple days. I felt sort of “blah” after my first shot and Andrew did after his second shot. Both of our arms got a little sore. That was about it, and it was well worth weathering the side effects to ensure that we likely won’t have to worry about getting COVID in the near future (which is WAY worse than any side effects a vaccine can produce in most people— trust me!)

Getting the COVID-19 vaccine: the benefits

Now, this is the fun part! Instead of boring you all with another wall of text, I’m literally just going to list all the fun, CDC-approved things I can safely do now that I’m vaccinated:

• Go to New Orleans for a vaccination-vacation! (We leave this week, eep!)

• Hug my vaccinated grandparents!

• Hug my vaccinated parents and friends!

• HAVE A GATHERING, INDOORS, with vaccinated family and friends! (This one is HUGE for me, tbh.)

• Did I mention TRAVEL, TRAVEL, TRAVEL?

• Possibly attend MUSIC FESTIVALS again this fall! (AHHHH!)

• And so. much. more.

Needless to mention that, as I said before, mounting evidence suggests I’m also protecting others now from COVID as well, and likely stopping variants in their tracks. Now isn’t that alone enough to make it worth it for most people?

All that said, I believe I made the right decision in getting the COVID-19 vaccine. I understand people’s hesitancy, that’s totally valid, but the risk vs. reward in this situation is undeniable for me, personally, and I encourage everyone to speak with their primary doctor about the vaccine and if it would benefit them personally to receive it.

And, hey, if you do get the vaccine we can have a “shot girl summer” together, amirite?

Xoxo, MM.

This week I had to slow waaaaay down. It felt foreign and a little icky at first, but it was much needed and now I’m glad I took the time I needed to stop, rest, and recollect myself before charging ahead. Living in a “hustle-harder” culture, we don’t always feel like slowing down is a beneficial (or even acceptable) thing to do, but it’s so important. You can’t run on an empty battery, and I learned that the hard way this week. Let me explain—

I was at my wit’s end, and it showed.

This week I was due to film a commercial after coming off of two photoshoots in the past week (and the constant, never-ending barage of my 40-hours-a-week day job at Comcast NBCUniversal.) On top of that, I had two other side-gigs calling that I was trying to juggle, in addition to my marriage (because Andrew deserves quality time with me, too), being a pet parent, and then, unexpectedly, a family health scare.

All of this left me feeling drained. Absolutely, irrevocably drained. I was finding myself feeling “weepy” (read: crying at random intervals, like in my car for seemingly “no reason”, for instance), tired, irritable (which isn’t fair to my loved ones, who often end up on the wrong-end of my misplaced aggression and frustration) and just over it. But, what was I supposed to do? Wouldn’t the world end if I stopped go-go-going?

Actually, no. The world wouldn’t end, and that’s something I had to remind myself (with help from my amazing husband, friends and family members who remind me to “take it easy” sometimes.) — It may seem simple, but literally taking two days to say “NO” to extra work and simply carve out time in the day to take a walk or take a nap made all the difference in the world.

It turns out turning my phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode for an hour didn’t result in the apocalypse. Of course I kept in touch with my family member who’s health as been of concern, but tuning everything else out for even an hour at a time during the day made a huge difference over the weekend and into this week. It was that simple.

I haven’t had much time to blog lately, and that’s a part of this, too— sometimes we can take a break, stop “hustling” for a day or two, and that’s okay. This is just a friendly reminder that sometimes you downright need to slowdown, and it’ll most likely be alright if you do.

Be gentle with yourself (and with others), always. You’ll definitely feel better for it in the end, and I promise the world will keep spinning even if you take a second to breath.

Xoxo, MM.

Well, the time has finally come— after years of saving up, Andrew and I are now proud owners of our dream car; a Tesla Model 3! From working our ways up the ladders at our jobs to diversifying our income (and basically working 24/7 some days, lol) Andrew and I finally added one of our long-awaited assets to the (short, for now) list of things we own, and we couldn’t be happier or more thrilled. From how the buying and trading process went down to features of the car and more, let’s dive in to our experience with buying a Tesla Model 3.

Trading-in our old car for a Tesla Model 3

First of all, buying a Tesla is a bit different than buying a normal car in terms of how the purchase process actually works. Most Teslas are ordered online, and are custom-built to the consumer’s needs and desires. You start with a base model and build-on from there, etc. However, if you go with a model (like, say, a showroom model) that’s already built, you can already start saving a pretty penny from the get-go (and avoid a long wait time from the factory floor to the dealership, etc.)

That said, Andrew and I found a pre-made showroom model with all the specs we wanted (more on that in a bit), and it started us off on the right foot savings-wise. The other key to saving some $$$ on a Tesla (or any luxury vehicle)? Trading in your car (even if it’s older.) Luxury dealerships don’t usually negotiate sticker price, so you tend to get way more for your trade-in than you would otherwise. That was our case for sure, and it paid off in kind— literally!

Tesla Model 3 features and more

Now, let’s get to the good stuff— what is a Tesla Model 3 and what can it do? Essentially, the better question would be, what can’t it do? From 3.5 second acceleration (0 to 60 MPH), a 350-mile charging range, a GIANT monitor that comes loaded with AT&T data and Internet (for GPS, Netflix, and gaming purposes, lol!), to white-leather interior, a full-glass roof and beyond, there is no other car like a Tesla, and a Model 3 was our choice more specifically for it’s sporty nature and incredible acceleration skills. I could go on for days, but I’ll post some photos and videos (on YouTube and here + on socials, etc.) so you can get the point in a more visual way. 😉

TL;DR? We did it. We finally bought our dream car, and we’re so excited. Be prepared for a summer full of Tesla riding photos, y’all— it’s going to be a road-trip summer, after all!

Xoxo, MM.

AKA, how better weather and longer days can be used to your mind’s advantage, and how boundary-setting should be this spring’s focus.

It’s that time of year again— it’s finally spring! With spring comes myriad new beginnings; baby birds chirping about, people “spring cleaning” their homes, prepping their gardens and the like… but what about your mind and mental health?

Many people suffer from SAD (or, “Seasonal Affective Disorder”) during the winter months, which is more commonly known as seasonal depression. What’s more— many people are discouraged from talking about it, or feel embarrassed about their struggling through the winter months. However, SAD is normal (and downright common, actually, with roughly 10 million Americans suffering from it every year), and it’s important to take the time you need to mentally (and physically) recover from it. That said, let’s talk about some “spring cleaning” for the mind to aid in the recovery process—

Spring cleaning for your mind: coming out of seasonal depression and finding peace

(*Disclaimer: it goes without saying that I’m not a physician, and ultimately seeing a doctor is the best course of action when it comes to depression or any other mental illness treatment. I see one myself and there’s no shame in it. In fact, it’s incredibly helpful. These are simply meant to be supplemental tips to help you get by— including ones I use myself to cope during the “harder” mental health times.)

“Shinrin-yoku,” or, “forest bathing.”

For one, I always find it beneficial to GET OUTSIDE once winter finally thaws. In Japan they call this process “shinrin-yoku,” which roughly translates to “forest-bathing.” In essence, the idea is that spending time outside, in the sun (which is a great source of much-needed Vitamin D that we’re often deprived of in the winter months) can help “spring clean” your mind, and ease your day-to-day stressors. Whether it’s moving your work station outside for those working from home to taking the time out of your day to actually hike/walk in nature (if you’re able), spending time outside is a simple, easy way to use the warming weather and longer days to your advantage when fighting off SAD and spring cleaning your winter-worn mind.

Resetting your boundaries.

Another area of focus for me every spring is boundary setting. During the winter months we can severely neglect ourselves; holidays, for example (spanning from Thanksgiving to Valentine’s Day) tend to be times where we shift focus off of ourselves and sometimes give a bit too much to others. That said, spring is as good a time as any to renew and reset boundaries that help protect your peace— because, like I always say, you can’t pour from an empty cup.

To back up for a second, let’s address a question many people ask when this discussion comes up: “what are boundaries and how do I set them?” — Simple answer, boundaries are parameters you set around relationships and social situations that make you feel more comfortable, empowered, and respected. A common boundary to set is something like, “No, I won’t do that right now,” when someone is asking you to stretch yourself too thin.

Other boundaries I often set include things like, “No, I’m not going out tonight, I need to focus on myself today,” or “No, I’m not comfortable with that” (which can apply to almost anything), or simply saying the magic word: “No.”

Setting boundaries may seem rude or awkward, but why? Why is it considered rude to take care of yourself, to not make yourself feel intensely uncomfortable all the time, to not be forced to do things you don’t want to do, etc? This is a great resource on boundary-setting and why, again, things like boundary-setting and self-care are not selfish, and if you’re interested in diving deeper/practicing this in your daily life, I suggest this awesome read.

So, what do you do to spring clean your mind? I’m all about the warmer weather, and I’d love to hear your self-care and coping tips as we come out of the winter months and into the light.

Xoxo, MM.