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Friday

"I can hold my boundaries and still be kind."

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

• How to use less plastic

• What is the 8/8/8 rule?

• How to tailor your meals to you

• Cutting waste without compromising comfort

• This bathroom swap may save the planet

Reducing Plastic Is Hard—Here’s What Helps

Trying to go plastic-free can feel a little like playing whack-a-mole. You swap one thing, like cling wrap or shampoo bottles, and three others pop up in your grocery cart before you’ve made it to checkout.

The hardest part? Food packaging. It’s everywhere. Plastic clamshells, bread bags, and frozen meal wrappers make it nearly impossible to avoid single-use plastic completely. But a few small shifts help: shopping at farmers’ markets, buying unpackaged produce, and skipping pre-chopped or pre-made meals whenever possible.

Another trick: don’t aim for zero. Most plastics aren’t curbside recyclable, but grocery store drop-off bins can take some. Just keeping a stash to sort later makes the weekly trash feel a little less overwhelming.

You don’t have to do it all. You just have to do what you can, again and again.

What is the 8/8/8 Rule?

Work. Sleep. You. That’s the basic idea behind the 8/8/8 Rule: dividing your day into three equal parts (eight hours for work, eight for rest, and eight for you). It sounds simple, but it’s more powerful than it seems.

When you start thinking of your time in thirds, things shift. That post-work “dead zone” becomes an actual part of your day, not just recovery from the last eight hours. You realize that you get to decide how to spend that time: a walk, a dinner with friends, a class, or even a nap. It’s yours.

It also helps with boundaries. You can start to protect your non-work hours instead of letting them get swallowed up by email catch-ups or doomscrolling. Even if your job or schedule isn’t perfectly aligned, you can still use this mindset to rebalance your time.

You’re not just living to work or working to sleep. Those third eight hours are life, too.

A nutrition plan designed uniquely for you

Tired of diet plans that don't consider your unique lifestyle or health needs? Real, lasting change comes from a strategy tailored specifically to you. 

That’s why Fay connects you with a professional Registered Dietitian for true 1-on-1 coaching.

Your dietitian will work with you to create a sustainable plan that aligns with your personal health goals, whether you're managing a condition like PCOS or just want to feel your best. They consider your preferences and routines to design a strategy that actually works, using clinically proven methods like meal planning and journaling. 

It’s time to stop guessing and start getting guidance that’s 100% personalized.

Find Your Dietitian Now

Thank you to Fay for sponsoring Note To Self. 

Sustainable Self-Care: How to Cut Waste without Compromising Comfort

Zero waste isn’t about having a perfect kitchen setup or buying every bamboo swap on the market. At its core, it’s a mindset shift, and for many of us, that takes time.

It starts with rethinking your stuff. That chipped mug, the tote you’ve used for a decade, the boots you keep repairing: they’re still valuable. Making things last, fixing what breaks, and not rushing to replace something just because it’s old are all powerful acts.

Another shift? Seeing everything as a resource. Packaging, raw materials, and even the labor behind a product. It all matters. When we recognize that, we buy less and take better care of what we do have.

You don’t have to do it all at once. Start with what you already own. Celebrate its age. And remember: reducing waste isn’t about guilt. It’s about respect, creativity, and care.

This New Toilet Paper Just Might Save the Planet

Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: The average American throws away over 4 pounds of trash each day.

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ 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! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: You don’t have to be perfect to make an impact. Progress is personal, and every step toward sustainability counts.

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]!