Thursday

"I’m learning to be proud of the small things."

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

• Planning your 2026 vision board

• What time should you eat breakfast?

• Makeup that stands up to the day

• A 30-day gratitude challenge

• A browser extension for making videos

What to Put on Your Vision Board Next Year

There’s something surprisingly grounding about sitting down with a pair of scissors, a stack of magazines, and a quiet hour to yourself. Vision boards have become the grown-up version of childhood collages: part creativity, part clarity exercise. At their core, they’re a visual snapshot of where you want your life to go, helping you keep your goals top of mind when day-to-day routines start to blur them out.

Research suggests that visualization strengthens the same brain pathways used for motivation and planning. When you regularly see reminders of what you want, whether it’s a new career, travel goal, or better boundaries, your mind starts filtering the world through that lens. It’s less about magic and more about focus: your reticular activating system takes the cue and starts connecting you with the right opportunities.

Making one is simple: brainstorm your priorities, gather inspiring images, and give yourself space to arrange them intentionally. You can glue them on a poster board or design a digital version on Canva. The key is to make it personal, something that feels like you. And when your goals shift, your board can too. It’s meant to evolve right along with you.

The Science of When to Eat Breakfast

If you usually skip or delay breakfast, science says you might want to rethink that routine. A new study published in Nature found that people who eat breakfast earlier tend to live longer. Over a ten-year period, adults who ate within an hour of waking had slightly higher survival rates than those who waited.

Scientists say it all comes down to your body’s internal clock. Eating early helps keep your metabolism and circadian rhythm in sync, which supports better energy, mood, and long-term health. Waiting too long to eat can throw that rhythm off, leading to sluggishness and higher risks of chronic conditions like diabetes.

Their takeaway is simple: aim to eat breakfast within the first hour after waking. It doesn’t have to be complicated. Even a small, balanced meal can help your body start the day on time.

Makeup You Can Live In

We believe in creating impossible-to-mess-up products that fit seamlessly into your daily routine. Our well-edited essentials are designed to help you do more with less, so you can look polished without spending hours getting ready.

MERIT focuses on high-performing, clean, and effortless formulas that enhance your natural beauty rather than covering it up. Infused with skin-loving ingredients, our products leave your skin looking better long after you take your makeup off.

From curated sets that make routines easy, to multi-use essentials perfect for busy mornings, MERIT is made for anyone who loves a less-is-more approach.

And of course — every product is clean, vegan, and cruelty-free.

It’s no wonder MERIT has been worn by stars like Lauren Graham and Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Shop MERIT now.

Thank you to MERIT for sponsoring Note To Self. 

A 30-Day Gratitude Challenge to Feel Happier

This 30-day gratitude challenge is all about slowing down and paying attention to what’s good, even in ordinary moments. Each week has a new focus, from recognizing abundance and self-love to appreciating your community and your body. You’ll make short lists, write thank-you notes, and do small acts that shift your mindset toward joy.

The benefit? Gratitude helps you feel more grounded, less stressed, and more connected to the people around you. By noticing what’s already going right, you train your brain to look for positives instead of problems.

By the end of the month, you’ll likely feel lighter, more centered, and more present, proof that small daily reflections can make a lasting difference in how you see your life.

From Boring to Brilliant: Training Videos Made Simple

Say goodbye to dense, static documents. And say hello to captivating how-to videos for your team using Guidde.

1️⃣ Create in Minutes: Simplify complex tasks into step-by-step guides using AI.
2️⃣ Real-Time Updates: Keep training content fresh and accurate with instant revisions.
3️⃣ Global Accessibility: Share guides in any language effortlessly.

Make training more impactful and inclusive today.

The best part? The browser extension is 100% free.

Check out Guidde

Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: Writing down your goals increases success by 42%.

• 🌅 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: Being thankful doesn’t mean everything’s perfect. It means you’re choosing to pause and honor what’s good, even if it’s small or quiet or fleeting.

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]!