Hi! Happy BS Friday! We’re coming up on a holiday weekend that marks the unofficial start of summer here in the U.S. How did this happen? We’re now nine months into Beau Society (in an email, one of you alerted me that’s “a whole pregnancy” lol).
Speaking of you incredible readers…I don’t know exactly what I expected from the journal prompt featured in last week’s letter, but you over-delivered! Reading your replies was the highlight of my week (the lowlight was Teenie’s allergies — dog parents, send tips!). I was again reminded of why I started Beau Society nine months ago: to have a two-way conversation where I learn more about YOU — who you are, where you’re from, what you do for work, and how you care for yourself and others. And I’m so impressed!
I got a peek into your world through your responses to the prompt: “Talk about a time you were stressed, how you handled it, and what you learned on the other side.” Your stories felt so relatable, I wanted them to be read beyond the BS inbox.
So for this week’s issue, I’m sharing just a few of the emails I received in response to last week’s letter. There were thousands, so if your story didn’t make it, not to worry, we’ll do more:)
Inside this issue you’ll hear from Ricky, who recharges by playing ‘90s video games, Amy, who finds her creativity in the kitchen (her breakfast sounds incredible), Meredith, who’s learning to embrace the occasional B+ and her curly hair, Caroline who developed a great script for setting boundaries with family members, and more.
“Firstly, I would just like to thank you for this week's newsletter in particular, it couldn't have come at a better time. Recently, I have been supporting someone going through a very hard time. I often feel guilty for thinking it, but sometimes the constant listening can really drain me, especially when everything's quite negative. This issue has helped me realize that I need some time for myself and recharge my therapist batteries. I'm staying offline and playing ‘90s video games (my happy place).” - Ricky
“Last week, I had a few important meetings and I was stressing out. When I’m stressed out, I really like to cook, it allows me to be creative and focus on something else, and just reset my mind. Last week, I just didn’t have a lot of time, so I decided to fancy up my morning yogurt with a little granola and a little fresh fruit, and I put it all into a fancy dessert bowl! It really made a difference. I could take a moment to breathe and find a little creativity and some time to spend on myself before conquering those meetings.” -Amy
“I just accepted a new job (YAY), but with that comes the existential dread of telling my current employer I’m leaving and getting prepped for the new position. I was feeling incredibly overwhelmed with all of the newness life was bringing my way (even though so much of it is good...but good things can feel overwhelming too, am I right??). So I took a step back and went for a walk. No phone. No music. No distractions. Just me, nature, and the beautiful melody of evening song birds chirping on my walk. This helped me clear my mind, put things in perspective, and go back inside refreshed and ready to tackle the exciting changes.” -Madisyn
“A recent time I felt stressed was in the early weeks after having my baby boy, Henry, who’s now five months old. Becoming a mom has been the most rewarding and challenging thing I’ve ever done. Everything changed — my routines, my sleep, my identity. I felt like I had to hold it all together while learning everything at once, and there were moments I just felt completely underwater. What got me through was opening up to my husband, Evan, and learning to ask for help without guilt. I gave myself permission to slow down and not have all the answers. I also started writing a little each day, just to process the swirl of emotions and stay connected to myself. Now, on the other side of those early growing pains, I’ve learned how strong I am and how important it is to let love and support in.” -Victoria
“I used to be obsessed with being perfect (still kinda am). Straight A’s, perfect hair, everything always in control. Then this year, I got my first B+ in a class and cried for like an hour. I still passed the class; it was fine. But for weeks, it felt like everything I worked for cracked a little. Eventually, I just got tired. I told myself I didn’t have to be perfect anymore. I let go of that pressure. I didn’t kill myself over every assignment and my hair, MY HAIR! I stopped straightening it every single morning. I let the curls be messy, and chaotic, and mine.” -Meredith
“Recently, my company reorganized my department, and a couple of my close co-workers were let go. The uncertainty of my job security was stressful, so I decided to focus on things that are important to me and constants in my life. I turned my focus to my husband and kids and kept in mind that, regardless of my job status or the outcome of what is happening in my work life, being present with them is most important. Their love and support are not dependent on my professional accomplishments.🩷”-Katie
“I was just about to graduate from college, then I suddenly got an email, like a week before, saying I wasn’t meeting the required number of credits necessary to graduate. Upon hearing this, while understandably stressed, I went over to my advisor to see if there was anything left I could do. Turns out there was a mistake in the processing that they needed to work out. I decided to do a brief course after graduation to make it up. I didn’t cause a scene or anything. I just stayed calm through the whole process. And I feel very proud of myself for that.” -Jack
“I work in a very science-based industry. Whenever I’m stressed, I get this feeling in my chest/gut area to do something artistic. It’s as if there’s a force that moves my body, and aches for me to do anything that would allow my mind to unplug. I draw, color, or do pottery — and incorporating at least one of these things in my week has been a lifesaver.” -Mercedes
“I am in eleventh grade and I live in Israel. In my country, eleventh grade is the hardest of all, and for me it was more awful than I could imagine. I decided to take on a lot of subjects — theater, maths, Jewish philosophy, and English — which I absolutely love, yet to do them all in one year is extremely hard. Throughout the year, I’ve felt stress like never before, which sometimes made me really sick. The only thing that really helps me get through it is to pick something in my future that I look forward to. It can be a vacation, a friend I plan on meeting, or even a snack I want to eat when I get home. It’s the little things in life that make you happy and help you get through the day. (Really love your issues btw!!!) -Lea
“So, for context, I am an exchange student from France living in the U.S., and I was really stressed and overwhelmed during Easter because I was far away from my family, and it was very hard not to be with them. But to handle it, I spent my day with my best friend and her family. I didn't use my phone. We went to watch Sinners (it actually helped — I loved the movie!). I realized that even if I am an ocean across my family, I have people here who love me and will try to make me feel better in hard times. -Elda
“When I get to a point where I am overwhelmed and stressed out of my mind, I make sure to set boundaries, not only with myself but with my family. In the past year or so, I’ve been practicing my boundaries by saying, “I am not there yet, can we talk about it when it gets closer?” or along those lines. It has really helped me to focus on what I am doing in the moment. The future is scary and overwhelming. But the best thing I can do for myself is to take a step back and understand what is happening in the present. I love hearing about how people can reduce stress and anxiety, especially in this ever-changing world. Thank you for your words. -Caroline
Thank you to everyone who submitted a response! I hope you take something away from these stories. If you like this format, let me know — we might make it regular programming.
TO TRY: Rollers (plus Cloud Foam). I’m telling ya.
TO WATCH: Masters of photography, a 1972 documentary. I fell down a rabbit hole.
TO BUY: A fun beaded choker from a small business.
TO MAKE: A big fat Greek salad.
TO TAKE WITH YOU: “The thing that's important to know is that you never know. You're always sort of feeling your way.” -Diane Arbus
Love,
Hailee (Beau)
Highlighting your comments on the previous week’s issue. Today, we hear Jodie’s response to How to go with the flow.
“Honestly, this issue came at the perfect time for me. It's the middle of exam season, and all I can say is that my skin and sleep have been out of whack. I will definitely be taking some of these ideas on board! Your newsletters are always a highlight in my week. Thanks for this!” -Jodie (Northern Ireland)
