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Thursday

"I can hold boundaries gently and firmly."

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

• What is a “ta-da” list?

• Signs you’re avoiding emotions

• An uplifting drink to add to your daily ritual

• The move-out method for decluttering

• A hack for hosting this year

Why a “Ta-Da” List Feels Better

To-do lists are meant to organize life, but they often spotlight what hasn’t been done. When unfinished tasks pile up, even productive days can feel like failures. A “ta-da” list offers a quieter counterbalance.

A ta-da list is simply a record of what’s already been completed: big tasks, small wins, moments of care, or progress that doesn’t show up on a calendar. Instead of pushing forward, it asks you to pause and notice what’s already happened.

This works because the brain responds to completion. Seeing finished actions reinforces capability and builds momentum without urgency. Over time, it can soften the pressure that productivity often carries.

Ta-da lists don’t need to be daily or detailed. Used weekly, monthly, or at the end of the year, they create space to reflect. Sometimes, feeling grounded doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from recognizing what’s already been done.

Why Numbing Out Feels So Normal

Feeling drained or stuck doesn’t always mean something is wrong. Sometimes it means emotions are being quietly avoided. Small habits (endless scrolling, overcommitting, multitasking, constant busyness) can act as “dimmers,” offering quick relief without real restoration.

These behaviors aren’t failures. They’re coping strategies learned over time, often encouraged by culture. When discomfort shows up, the nervous system looks for fast ways to smooth it out. Dimmers help in the moment, but they can also mute intuition, needs, and clarity.

Noticing them is the first step. Patterns often appear during moments of stress, fatigue, or emotional overload. The urge to escape, even briefly, can be a signal, not a flaw.

Shifting doesn’t require cutting everything out. Small pauses help: one breath before reacting, delaying a reflexive yes, or choosing presence over distraction for a few minutes. Awareness creates choice—and choice makes space for something more grounding to return.

Dry January Just Got Way More Delicious and Uplifting 🍸✨

January doesn’t have to feel dull or restrictive. It’s a chance to reset, feel amazing, and still enjoy the ritual of a great drink. Enter Vesper, Pique’s newest release—and my favorite upgrade to Dry January.

Pique is known for blending ancient botanicals with modern science to create elevated wellness essentials, and Vesper is no exception. This non-alcoholic, adaptogenic aperitif delivers the relaxed, social glow of a cocktail—without alcohol or the next-day regret.

It’s what I reach for when I want something special in my glass. Each sip feels celebratory and calming, with a gentle mood lift, relaxed body, and clear, present mind. No haze. No sleep disruption. Just smooth, grounded ease.

Crafted with L-theanine, lemon balm, gentian root, damiana, and elderflower, Vesper is sparkling, tart, and beautifully herbaceous—truly crave-worthy.

Dry January isn’t about giving things up. It’s about discovering something better. And Vesper makes every pour feel like a yes.

Get 10% off for life

Thank you to Pique Life for sponsoring Note To Self. 

The Move-Out Method That Resets Your Space

Decluttering often stalls not because of a lack of motivation, but because decisions feel endless. The “move-out method” works by recreating the urgency of a real move, without actually changing addresses.

The idea is straightforward. Choose a space, empty it completely, and then decide what would come with you if you were moving into a smaller home. Items that are truly useful or meaningful earn their way back in. Everything else becomes easier to release once it’s framed as something you’d have to pack, carry, and make room for again.

This method helps reduce second-guessing. Seeing everything at once makes excess more obvious, and starting from an empty space turns organizing into a reset rather than a rearrangement. It also creates a rare opportunity to clean shelves, drawers, and corners that usually stay hidden.

For items that are harder to decide on, a short pause can help. Placing them in a box and revisiting the decision later often makes the answer clearer. Over time, the move-out mindset builds confidence and makes letting go feel less heavy and more intentional.

Carb Lovers Rejoice

Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: Sitting near a window can improve perceived energy by 15%. Even indirect daylight matters.

• 🌅 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: Small comforts can make a difference. Light, sound, movement, breath—tiny choices that shift how you feel inside your day.

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]!