Hey, you guys! One last reminder: Rod’s Return of Top 8 is this Friday at Thalia Hall in Chicago! Tickets are still available, so get yours today so you can dance (carefully, without pulling a hamstring) and still be in bed before 10 pm. 

Song of the day: We’re headed back to freshman year of college, trekking across campus (no coat in sight) in our popped polos and Steve Madden chunky stilettos, with this one.

Need some advice? We have an answer for you here!

One Step at a Time to
Self-Improvement

 question 
Lately, I’ve been trying to focus on self-improvement, but I’m starting to feel overwhelmed by everything I ‘should’ be doing, AKA meditating, exercising, reading, networking, etc. How do I take care of myself without getting burned out from trying to do so? —R.

 answer 
Trying to juggle all these ‘shoulds’ while also remembering to drink enough water and also that a cheese stick doesn’t count as your lunch is toughhhhh. But here’s the thing…

You don’t need to do all of it at once. As the great Jordin Sparks once said. “One step at a time; there’s no need to rush.” 

Start small. Like, really small. Maybe today, you focus on breathing deeply for 30 seconds instead of frantically Googling “two-week meditation retreats in Thailand.” (Can you tell we’ve been watching White Lotus?) Or, instead of that 45-minute intense Peloton ride, take a leisurely walk and listen to a podcast centered around good vibes and/or that betters your mood. May we suggest Are You Mad At Me?

Remember: Self-improvement shouldn’t just be another checklist. It should feel good to YOU! So, if your self-care routine is starting to feel like a second job, it might be time to cut yourself some slack. Focus on one thing that brings you joy, and go from there. 

And hey, if the best version of yourself includes eating pizza over the kitchen sink and watching The Princess Diaries, who are we to judge?

How to Know if Your Relationship Is Serving You

 question 
I’ve been in a serious relationship for a few years now, but lately, I’ve been wondering if I’m actually happy or if I’m just comfortable. How do I figure out if I’m with the right person or just afraid of change? —L.

 answer 
Being in a relationship for a while can get super comfortable and cozy, and that can make it hard to tell if you’re genuinely having a good time. Two things that can help figure out if this relationship is serving you?

Do a vibe check: Ask yourself if you enjoy spending time together or if you’re just in a routine because it’s easy. Do you laugh, connect, and feel supported? Or do you just like having someone around, even if things feel a little off? 

Get comfy with discomfy: Change is scary, but being afraid of a new normal doesn’t mean you should stay in something that’s not working. Spend some solo time reflecting, and give yourself space to figure out if you’re avoiding change because it feels safer or because maybe your relationship has run its course.

Relationships should make you feel more alive, not just comfortable. Always remember to listen to what your body and mind are telling you.

Got a Q? We wanna hear it here! 

…while you take a midday bath between meetings.

Sheila Williams’ Hot Honey Gouda Croissant is our new favorite WFH lunch for the foreseeable future. 🤤

“But what has brought me an extraordinary amount of peace in my life is when I finally fell in love with myself.” White Lotus star Walter Goggins’ chat with Interview Magazine is a must-read!

“Stop trying to speak perfect, look perfect, act perfect.” May we all be willing and able to channel Ellen Pompeo in her recent InStyle interview. Amen. 

We lysm, thanks so much for reading! We’ll back, same place, same time next week. Hope you get everything you want and more this week!

—Rod and Gabi