Friday

"I can be both content and curious for more."

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

• One tip to stop procrastinating

• How to mindfully read the news

• See the pan that will make you fall in love with cooking

• Why you can’t remember your dreams

• An easy solution for low cut tops

The Psychology Trick That Helps You Stop Procrastinating

Ever stare at a task for so long that it starts to feel bigger than life itself? The Zeigarnik effect might explain why. This psychological principle says our brains stay alert to things left unfinished. Once you begin, even if it’s just opening the document or washing one dish, your mind naturally wants to finish the job.

It’s the same reason you might keep thinking about a half-written text or an unfinished show. Your brain doesn’t like open tabs, and it keeps quietly reminding you to return to them. The moment you start, you create a kind of mental bookmark that draws you back in later.

So next time you’re putting something off, tell yourself you’ll work on it for five minutes. Write one sentence, fold one shirt, or open that email. Chances are, you’ll keep going. And even if you don’t, you’ve already done the hardest part: you started.

A Mindful Approach to News and Information

It’s easy to feel like every headline is shouting at you. Between hot takes, breaking news alerts, and constant updates, the line between information and opinion can get blurry fast. Thoughtful fact-checking isn’t just about accuracy. It’s a form of self-care for your mind.

Start by tracing a story back to its original source and seeing if more than one credible outlet is reporting it. Then check a few neutral fact-checking sites before sharing anything online. It’s simple, but it filters out a lot of noise.

You can also watch for emotional cues in language. Words meant to trigger anger or urgency can distort facts and make you feel more anxious than informed. If something sounds extreme, look for how other outlets are framing it.

The goal isn’t to cut yourself off from the news. It’s to stay grounded while taking it in. A slower, more mindful approach to media doesn’t just make you better informed. It helps protect your peace, too.

The Pan That Changed the Pan

The Always Pan® from Our Place went viral for a reason – with over 85,000 five-star reviews, it’s become a true kitchen icon trusted by over a million home cooks.

Toxin-free, naturally nonstick, and endlessly versatile, it’s designed to make cooking easier, healthier, and more enjoyable every day. Shallow enough to flip omelets, deep enough to roast chicken dinners, and beautiful enough to live on your stovetop – it’s the kind of cookware that actually makes you want to cook more. And when you’re done? It wipes clean in seconds.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or hosting friends, the Always Pan® delivers effortless performance and timeless style in one.

Save over 25% on the Always Pan during Our Place’s Black Friday sale – now through December 2. With free shipping, free returns, and a 100-day risk-free trial, there’s never been a better time to upgrade your cookware.

Thank you to Our Place for sponsoring Note To Self. 

Why You Don’t Remember Your Dreams

We all dream every night, even if it feels like we don’t. The reason most of us wake up with a blank slate has less to do with whether we dream and more to do with how our brains handle memories during sleep. Unless a dream is emotionally charged or interrupted mid-REM cycle, it often slips away before we’re even fully awake.

Experts say our ability to recall dreams depends on sleep quality, timing, and even what we do in those first few minutes of the morning. Grabbing your phone right away can erase fragile dream memories almost instantly. Instead, try staying still for a moment when you wake and let your mind replay any fragments that surface.

A dream journal can also help. Keep a notebook by your bed and jot down whatever you remember, even if it’s just a single image or phrase. Over time, this simple ritual helps strengthen dream recall. And while it’s not essential to remember your dreams, doing so can offer small glimpses into your thoughts, stressors, or creative mind at work while you rest.

The Sticky Not Icky Solution for Deep Vees and Loose Tops

Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: The average adult spends about two hours per day on social media.

• 🌅 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: Even when you don’t remember them, your dreams are working behind the scenes—processing, piecing things together, giving your mind space to wander.

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]!