Wednesday

"I can be gentle with myself and still grow."

Happy Wednesday! Today, we're chatting about:

• Is your office making you sick?

• Friends can be soulmates, too

• Why clear skin starts from within

• Are you making what you’re worth?

Your Office Might Actually Be Making You Sick

If you regularly feel fine at home but walk into the office and immediately get a headache, feel dizzy, or start sneezing, you're not imagining it. Sick building syndrome is a recognized condition first described by the World Health Organization in the 1980s, and it refers to a cluster of symptoms that appear specifically when spending time in a particular building.

Triggers vary widely. Mold spores, poor ventilation, chemicals released from carpeting or furniture, and even harsh fluorescent lighting can all cause reactions. Everyone has a different sensitivity threshold, and symptoms can range from brain fog and nausea to skin irritation and eye strain. Notably, research consistently shows women report symptoms more often than men, though the exact reasons aren't fully understood.

If you suspect your office is the culprit, documenting when and where symptoms occur is a useful first step since it helps identify patterns and potential causes. From there, practical adjustments can help: an air purifier at your desk, regular breaks outside, wiping down surfaces, and requesting lighting changes are all reasonable places to start. Talking to a manager about the issue is worth doing too, especially if symptoms are affecting your ability to work.

Your Friends Can Be Soulmates Too

We talk about soulmates almost exclusively in romantic terms, but some of the deepest, most sustaining connections in a person's life have nothing to do with romance at all. Platonic soulmates are the friends who see you completely, who you don't have to perform for, who feel less like something you found and more like something the universe arranged.

Research backs up what most of us already feel intuitively. Deep, meaningful friendships are directly linked to better mental health and even cardiovascular health. There's something about being truly understood by another person, not as a partner or a family member but as a chosen, wholly platonic companion, that does something real for how we feel and function.

These connections tend to arrive unexpectedly. A random roommate assignment. A writing workshop. A jar of salsa and some tortilla chips at midnight. What makes them soulmate-level isn't the length of the relationship or how often you see each other. It's that particular feeling of ease, like breathing, like being known without having to explain yourself first.

Your Skin Might Be Missing This Step

You can spend all the money on skincare, but if your cells are stressed and dehydrated, your skin won’t glow. Pique’s Radiant Skin Duo pairs matcha to calm inflammation and detox with electrolytes for deep cellular hydration. Together, they support brighter tone, firmer texture, and that lit-from-within glow. It’s the inside-out ritual your skin’s been missing—and the reason people start asking what you’re doing differently

Get 20% off your order here.

Thank you to Pique Life for sponsoring Note To Self. 

How to Know If You're Being Paid What You're Worth

Women earn about 81 cents for every dollar men make, and that gap doesn't close itself. Knowing whether you're being paid fairly starts with doing a little research. Sites like Salary.com and Payscale.com pull data directly from employers and give a more accurate picture than most other sources. If you're tempted to ask AI, be aware that research shows AI tools tend to advise women to ask for significantly less, so always cross-reference with multiple sources.

When it comes to negotiating, preparation is everything. Keep a running record of your wins, new responsibilities, and any data that shows your impact, like increased sales or improved customer satisfaction. When you're ready to make your case, lead with your past contributions, share your vision for what's ahead, make your ask, and then stop talking. Let the employer respond.

If the budget truly won't budge on salary, think beyond the number. Extra vacation days, remote work flexibility, a better title, or additional resources can all have real long-term value. And if you're interviewing for a new role, avoid giving a salary number until you have an actual offer on the table. Seventy-three percent of employers expect candidates to negotiate, so the first offer is rarely the best one.

Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ True or False: True. Connection impacts mental and physical health.

• 🌅 Sunset Of The Day: Sunsets are more than beautiful—they’re actually good for your mood. Got a favorite one? Reply to this email with your best sunset or sunrise photo for a chance to be featured!

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: You’re allowed to step away from work and still be committed to it. Rest and boundaries make your work more sustainable.

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!