Monday

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

-Winston Churchill

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

• Why spring is the best for a reset

• A mini guide to spring flowers

• Skip tourist traps and start speaking a new language

• Blackberry bar recipe

• These are the best home warranties

Why Spring Is the Best Time to Reset

This spring, instead of doing more, what if you did less, on purpose? There's something deeply satisfying about letting your brain breathe a little after winter's long to-do list hibernation. Mental self-care doesn’t have to mean meditation retreats or deleting every app on your phone. It could start with a vision board and ten quiet minutes on the porch.

A vision board might sound like a middle school art project, but it's surprisingly grounding. Grab old magazines or print out a few images that represent where you want your time and energy to go this season. No glue sticks required—tape works just fine. Stick it somewhere visible. Let it remind you that your goals can be soft, evolving, even playful.

Also underrated? A hot drink in the morning and a moment to ask: What would make today feel a little more like mine? Emotional self-care isn’t always deep work—it’s sometimes just a coffee and no phone before 9 a.m.

Self-care doesn’t have to be a production. This season, try subtracting before adding. You might find more clarity between the cracks.

A Mini Guide to Spring’s Beautiful Flowers

You might spot them without thinking twice—little bursts of color tucked into hedgerows, woods, or even roadside patches. But spring wildflowers like bluebells, cowslips, and lady’s smocks aren’t just a pretty face. They’re part of a much bigger system.

These native blooms provide early food for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators just waking up after winter. That support system pays off for us, too: pollinators help our crops grow and reduce the need for pesticides. It’s a subtle ripple effect from a single bloom.

Some wildflowers are more than just beautiful—they’re historic. Bluebells, for instance, blanket ancient woodlands each spring, and almost half of the world’s population lives in the UK. Lesser celandines were even a favorite of Wordsworth’s. (He wrote a whole poem about them.)

If you want to bring that same quiet magic home, you can. Planting native wildflowers—yes, even in pots—is a simple way to boost biodiversity right where you live. Plus, you’ll get front-row seats to spring’s most underrated show.

Speak the Language, Skip the Tourist Traps

Spring travel is calling—are you ready to ditch the touristy spots and explore like a local? Whether it’s ordering fresh croissants in Paris or finding the best pasta in Rome, Babbel helps you speak the language and experience more.

With bite-sized lessons (just 10 minutes a day!) created by real language experts, you’ll be chatting with confidence in just three weeks. Save 60% now and get ready for your best trip yet. Don’t just visit—connect.

Save 60% here.

Thank you to Babbel for sponsoring Note To Self. 

These Blackberry Bars Practically Make Themselves

Prep time: 20 minutes
Chill time: At least 4 hours (or overnight)
Yields: 9 squares

What You’ll Need

For the blackberry topping:

• 6 oz blackberries (fresh or frozen)

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• Juice of ½ lime

For the crust:

• 1 sleeve graham crackers (about 1¼ cups crushed)

• 5 tbsp melted butter

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

For the cheesecake filling:

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 cup powdered sugar, divided

• 2 (8 oz) blocks cream cheese, softened

• ¼ cup Greek yogurt (full-fat works best)

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Juice of 1 lime

• Pinch of salt

How to Make It

1. Make the blackberry topping:
   Simmer blackberries, sugar, and lime juice in a saucepan for about 8 minutes, smashing them gently. Strain the mixture to remove seeds. Let it cool—it’ll stay a bit liquid.

2. Make the crust:
   Crush graham crackers into fine crumbs. Stir with melted butter and sugar until it looks like wet sand. Press firmly into the bottom of an 8”x8” dish.

3. Make the filling:
   Whip heavy cream with ¼ cup powdered sugar until stiff peaks form. In a separate bowl, beat cream cheese with the rest of the sugar, yogurt, vanilla, lime juice, and salt. Fold in the whipped cream gently until smooth.

4. Assemble:
   Spread the filling over the crust. Dot the top with blackberry sauce and swirl with a toothpick. Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.

5. Bonus tip:
   Any extra blackberry sauce = pancake gold. Or drizzle it over yogurt. Or eat it straight. We don’t judge.

Go Beyond Homeowners’ Insurance With a Home Warranty

A Note From Us

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: Practicing gratitude regularly can literally rewire your brain to notice and appreciate the good stuff more easily. It’s science and a little bit of magic.

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers’ lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

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]!