Thursday

"I can choose softness, even when life feels loud."

Happy Thursday! Today, we're chatting about:

• Beating the post-holiday blues

• What is a “life admin” hour?

• Where to find vision insurance this year

• Starting an art club this year

• This pan makes cooking more enjoyable

Why January Can Feel Emotionally Heavy

The holidays bring a lot of movement, connection, and stimulation. And then, almost overnight, it all stops. When January settles in, it’s common to feel a little flat, unmotivated, or emotionally off. That post-holiday dip isn’t a personal failure. It’s a nervous system adjusting after weeks of disruption.

The shift can show up as low energy, restlessness, trouble sleeping, or a vague sense of sadness. Routines loosened. Social calendars emptied. Dopamine drops. For many people, that combination creates a noticeable emotional come-down.

The goal isn’t to “snap out of it,” but to stabilize gently. Returning to simple routines like regular meals, consistent sleep, and short walks can help restore a sense of grounding. Mindfulness practices, even a few minutes a day, can calm the mental noise and make emotions feel more manageable.

Connection also matters. A low-pressure coffee, a phone call, or even shared quiet time can soften feelings of isolation. And having small things to look forward to, like weekend plans, creative projects, and cozy rituals, can bring back momentum. January doesn’t need fixing. It just needs patience.

Why A Weekly Life Admin Hour Helps

Life admin has a way of lingering in the background. Unpaid bills, unopened mail, and appointments that still need scheduling. They don’t always take much time, but they take up a lot of mental space.

A weekly “life admin hour” offers a simple reset. By choosing one protected hour each week to handle these small but necessary tasks, the brain gets relief from constantly tracking what still needs to be done. Instead of popping up at inconvenient moments, everything has a designated place to land.

The key is containment. Bills, emails, forms, returns, scheduling: tasks that don’t require deep focus but do require follow-through. Writing them down during the week and saving them for that hour helps prevent mental overload and decision fatigue.

Timing matters less than consistency. Some people prefer the start of the week to feel prepared; others like clearing tasks before the weekend. What matters most is treating the hour as non-negotiable.

Making the space pleasant helps too (a candle, music, or coffee). The goal isn’t productivity pressure. It’s calm maintenance, done once, so it doesn’t follow you everywhere else.

Vision Plans Starting at $13 a Month

Take control of your vision care costs with a VSP® Individual Vision Plan. Plans include a comprehensive eye exam and up to 30% savings on lens enhancements, like anti-glare. VSP members save an average of more than $350* a year on their vision care.

See plans.

Savings based on state and national averages for eye exams and most commonly purchased brands and lens enhancements. This number represents average savings for VSP members at in-network providers. Your actual savings will depend on the eyewear you choose, your plan, the eye doctor you visit, your copays, and your premium. Source: VSP book-of-business paid claims data for Aug-Jan of each prior year.

Thank you to VSP Vision Care for sponsoring Note To Self. 

Why You Should Start an Art Club

An art club isn’t a class, a workshop, or a space for “talent.” It’s simply a group of people who gather regularly to make things side by side. Drawing, knitting, collaging, beading, sewing: anything made by hand counts.

What makes an art club work is the absence of pressure. No critiques. No skill requirements. Just shared time and quiet momentum. Sitting together while working on individual projects creates an easy kind of connection. Conversation flows naturally, and silence is welcome too.

Starting one doesn’t require much. One or two people are enough. A public space, like a coffee shop or library, works well. Pick a consistent day and time, even if attendance changes week to week. Consistency matters more than numbers.

If starting feels intimidating, choose a simple focus: a collage night, sketching prompts, or shared materials. Over time, confidence tends to grow naturally, not from “getting better,” but from being witnessed and supported.

The Pan That Changed the Pan

Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: Creative hobbies can improve focus for up to 2 hours afterward.

• 🌅 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: Not every interest has to be productive. Sometimes, the best hobbies are the ones that just make you feel like yourself again.

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]!