7 Things, Volume 2

WHAT I’M UP TO

This weekend went by in a blink, but the Sunday feelings were more rosy than blue because Thanksgiving is just around the corner: a time to take a breather from crazy Q4 and turn the focus on family.

This week’s highlights… I got a long “lob” haircut, went back to Brooklyn Bodyburn after a few months’ “sabbatical” — for the record, it’s still the most challenging workout I’ve ever done, had a photoshoot with my favorite acupuncturist, celebrated a good friend’s thirtieth, rode with Karyn, released a podcast with haute vegan chef Daphne Cheng and spent a lot of time playing with amazing, non-toxic beauty products from my new favorite shop, CAP Beauty. I’m KonMari-ing my skincare and makeup stash, removing anything toxic that’s not serving me or anything generally that doesn’t work. I’ll keep you posted on what I toss, replace and keep.

WEEKLY INTENTIONS

Reporting back from last week: I started on my groundedness mantra, but in unexpected and unscheduled situations. I didn’t take time out of every day to repeat it to myself in the mirror, that feels like too much… but I thought about it on subway rides, SoulCycle rides and in certain yoga poses. I think that’s a good start, don’t you?

My intention this week: Focus on what you can do, not what you cannot.

My intention this month: Gratitude, find five things every day I’m grateful for.

My intention this year: Perform. Stay on your own mat. Move how you feel, from what your body is asking you to do, and don’t mind what others are doing or thinking.

SEVEN THINGS

The science of self-affirmation. Per my last update, I’m still getting used to mantras and affirmations, but a healthy dose of hard science makes it more believable.

Beyond the Chair: The Vision of Charles and Ray Eames. It was a delight to read more about the couple who arguably set the stage for so much modern, minimalist design.

Ah, sugar. You sneaky little drug, you.

This low-sugar, highly enjoyable biodynamic chocolate. The rainbow pack (pictured above) comes with a little surprise inside!

This happiness illustration. It’ll hit you like a wall of bricks if you’re a seeker like me. It’s a nice reminder to spend more time looking within than searching for the antidote. You already have it, you just need to get to know it.

This podcast about our microbiome. Holy cannoli, I’m so intrigued by the hidden powers of our guts. Did you know that the bacteria that live on and in us outnumber our own cells from 10:1? Me either.

Casey Neistat. One of the foremost creators on YouTube talks about how he went from being on welfare to being a self-made millionaire.