Hi! We’re into double-digit newsletters, baby! The past ten weeks have been amazing — thank you for reading our early editions (and if you’re new this week, welcome!). I’m starting to find my footing here and creating these little Friday letters has brought me so much joy. I’m grateful for this space and for all of you — by the way, 35,000 of us here(!!) and it’s still my dream that we can meet up someday. What's been your favorite newsletter so far? I'm dying to know.

I’ve read many of your emails and comments and I know mental health is something that’s important to all of us. In light of World Mental Health Day (it was yesterday - happy belated!), I want to get into some wellness habits — yours, mine, and my friend Greer’s. (I mentioned G in early newsletters - she’s one of my closest girlfriends and the person I go to for gut checks.) While I’m not an authority on mental health by any means — I mean, I go to therapy, which is a personal decision that works for me — I wholeheartedly believe that mental health is just as important as physical health. I’m always trying new things to center myself. Some are fluffy (literally, crawling under a blanket when the situation calls for it), while others are more practical and grounded (the gratitude lists just work).

When I feel overwhelmed or am overthinking myself into a tailspin, I often reach out to Greer. While I don’t get to see her often enough (we’re doing long-distance at the moment), she’s that friend who always knows the podcast episode that will make me laugh, or sends the voice note that proves she just gets it. (Who’s your Greer? Tell them.) I sent her an email the other day and we both felt inspired to share our favorite mental health and relationship practices — the ones that work for us and might help you, too. We bring you, our:

  • Make yourself laugh. Confession: This week I sat down and everything caught up with me, like life stuff. But the straw that broke the camel’s back was something entirely unserious (go figure): remembering that I still don’t have a Halloween costume and we’re two weeks away. As I was working myself up, I paused and started laughing at myself (with love) for procrastinating like I do every year. I can’t be the only one!

  • Plan a ‘special day’ with someone you love but don’t get to see all the time. From Greer: I've learned that long-distance friendships (like ours) flourish when we plan time to connect just the two of us. Whether trying a new restaurant (if we feel like going out) or staying in and cooking together, just doing something for a significant amount of time so we feel filled up and can go three more months without seeing each other is so healthy for our friendship. Plus, planning it out gives us something to look forward to.

  • Write a to-done list. I have a to-do list (groceries, emails, order Halloween costumes..). But I also recently heard about a to-done list, a list of things I have done. The point is to put all the small things we forget to acknowledge on paper so we can celebrate them and not feel overwhelmed by the tasks that aren’t yet done yet. Got out of bed, check. Fed the dogs, did that. Fed myself, yep! A wins a win.

  • Meet people where they are. From Greer: Everyone is struggling with something, period. Just because you're not in the same place as someone doesn't mean your relationship has to be severed or grow distant. The mental health tip here: You just have to meet people — your friends, family members, coworkers — where they're at, be empathetic, and try to understand them as best you can.

  • Check your screen time. No judgment, just a gentle nudge.

  • Crawl under a blanket (for a little). Sometimes, you (I) need to be enveloped by a warm blanket, for a hot minute. My body knows when I need it and I listen. I love a weighted blanket or this throw blanket from Barefoot Dreams is sooo soft and buttery. (Also makes a great gift!)

  • Make someone else’s day. From Greer: How good does it feel to know someone is thinking about you? The best, right? On the flip side, making someone else feel thought of and considered feels amazing — it just does! For instance, when I see a photo that makes me giggle and I know it will make you (Hailee) giggle, I send it to you without any explanation. Doesn't have to be deep; it's usually not, but the littlest of things go a long way.

  • Take a deep breath...and another one. Okay, be honest, don't you feel better?

  • Be intentional about who you surround yourself with. From Greer: This one has become increasingly more important as I’ve gotten older and comes with being more and more self-aware. After I spend time with someone, I try to ask myself, did that interaction leave me feeling emotionally drained or emptied? Or, do I leave this person feeling energized, full of love and life? I am in no way suggesting cutting people out of your life without reason, but an awareness of how others make you feel can leave you more in control of how and with whom you spend your time (especially when you need extra lifting up!) 

  • Get it out of your head and onto paper. I’m a big journaler — always have been. I write every day — especially when I’m feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes a big thought turns into a big doodle, but that’s fine! At least I got it out. Into the color of this classic Moleskine notebook and love these black-ink ballpoint pens or these (a little more expensive but grippy ftw).

  • Do what you need to recharge. This will look different for everyone. Walking the dogs is great. Getting a quick workout in. Movement always helps, and so does being away from my phone for a little while. It could be meditating (I use this app called Insight Timer - it tailors meditations to you, which I love) or listening to music (I go for acoustic versions of my favorite songs).

  • Go to sleep. I’ve really been putting off watching that Masterclass on sleep. I need to, though, because I’m not getting enough. But I believe in sleep! I’ve heard that reading affirmations before bed is great for positive intention-setting and helps people fall asleep faster (sweet dreams, for sure). I also want to start turning everything (TV, lights, devices) off an hour before bed, not just 20 minutes before, and putting my phone in another room. Wish me luck.

I hope this BS toolkit resonates with you. If you find yourself doing something from the list — sending a thinking-of-you text to your best friend or upping your sleep score (congrats!) — screenshot and tag Beau Society on Instagram. We’d love to celebrate your mental health wins, big or small!

 

And before you go…remember to BEAU:

Love,

 Hailee (Beau)