Monday

"I allow myself to enjoy slower days."

Welcome to Monday! Today, we're chatting about:

• Getting comfortable with “good enough”

• Do you need to fix your sleep schedule?

• Why vision insurance is so important

• How to care for your hair in winter

• Staying up to date on the stock market

Why “Good Enough” Can Be Enough

Overthinking often starts with good intentions. Wanting to make the right choice can quietly turn into mental loops, second-guessing, and unnecessary stress. The “good enough” mindset offers a gentler way forward, one that values progress over perfection.

Instead of searching endlessly for the best option, “good enough” focuses on what works right now. That shift can free up mental energy and reduce the pressure that makes even small decisions feel heavy. When the bar is realistic, decisions become easier to make and easier to leave behind.

Stress and perfectionism tend to go hand in hand. When everything feels high-stakes, the brain tries to protect itself by delaying action. Choosing “good enough” helps create closure, which is often what stops the mental replay and allows you to move on.

This approach works best for everyday decisions: what to wear, how to respond to an email, when to stop researching and start acting. “Good enough” isn’t about settling; it’s about respecting your time, energy, and capacity, and letting that be enough for today.

Listening to Your Natural Sleep Rhythm

If you’ve ever felt guilty about staying up late or waking up later than others, you’re not alone. Society tends to praise early risers, but not everyone’s body runs on the same schedule, and that doesn’t mean something needs fixing.

Your circadian rhythm is shaped by both biology and habit. While it can be shifted with changes like light exposure, meal timing, and routines, experts say change isn’t always necessary. If you’re sleeping enough, feeling well, and your schedule works for your life, your body clock may already be doing its job.

Problems usually arise when your natural rhythm clashes with external demands, like a new job, caregiving, or chronic exhaustion. In those cases, gradual adjustments can help, but forcing dramatic changes often backfires and adds stress.

The bigger takeaway: sleep isn’t a moral issue. Being a night owl doesn’t mean you’re lazy, unhealthy, or behind. If your sleep supports your health and daily life, it’s worth honoring without shame.

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. 

What Winter Really Does to Your Hair

If your hair seems to shed more once winter rolls around, it’s not just in your head. Cold weather, dry indoor air, and small routine changes can make normal shedding feel more noticeable, even if nothing is actually “wrong.”

Winter tends to dry everything out, including your scalp and hair. That dryness can make strands more fragile and prone to breakage, especially if you’re washing less often or noticing more hair coming out on wash days. When hair builds up between washes, it can look like sudden loss instead of normal daily shedding.

The goal this time of year isn’t perfection; it’s protection. Lukewarm showers, consistent conditioning, gentler brushing, and dialing back heat styling can all help reduce breakage. Making sure hair is fully dry before heading out into freezing temps also matters more than most people realize.

Seasonal shedding usually evens out on its own. Treat your hair a little more kindly in winter, focus on moisture, and remember: seeing more hair in your brush doesn’t mean you’re losing it for good.

The Headlines Traders Need Before the Bell

Tired of missing the trades that actually move?

In under five minutes, Elite Trade Club delivers the top stories, market-moving headlines, and stocks to watch — before the open.

Join 200K+ traders who start with a plan, not a scroll.

Get the Next Alert

Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: Your skin repairs itself most actively between 10 PM and 2 AM. Nighttime routines matter more than products alone.

• 🌅 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: It’s okay if your routine is a little chaotic. Sometimes the best self-care is finding joy in the messy middle.

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]!