Hello you beautiful bunch, thank you for choosing to open this newsletter and be here with me on the first Saturday of the month for our cosy catch-up!
This week I taught Mental Health First Aid for the first time and it was so lovely to be surrounded by people who want to be empathetic, listen better, and support others. My heart is full of warm fuzzies!
Tonight I am attending a cocoa pajama party with live music at my friend’s cafe. I made the homemade marshmallows (cinnamon, mocha, and chocolate) and my partner and I will be wearing men’s pajama sets from the 70s. Very excited to get cozy, eat delicious food, and be social in a low key setting.
That is incredible I am mental health first aid trainer last year and I frequently read up to what could be changed since doing my training itbwas very enjoyable and rewarding and have used my skills further a lot since. It not only helps others but helped my own mental health and well-being. Keep up the great work and I hope it continues to grow more people wanting to help others. Well done 💚
I regularly do trainings on actual first aid so it’s very cool to share the mental health part too! The courses are geared toward the agricultural community, lots of stresses and rural isolation, so very helpful to get people trained to recognize and support people going through a challenge. And yes, going through the training helped my mental health too 😏
Love this happiness for you! 🥺❤️ Omg I hope the Christmas party is amazing. I remember the posts about it last time, so fun! I've been in a strange place for a while. Lacking any motivation and direction and it's been amplified by losing my dog (it was 7 months yesterday 🥺) and recently failing a class and therefore not getting my degree in college. So trying to find my footing again. Trying to figure it out. Trying to fight my brain. But I balance that with playing my Nintendo switch a lot and watching Scooby Doo & lately Barbie dream house adventures. That's a new one for me & dunno how it happened. But hey, I guess at 27 I'm getting into Barbie again 😆 but like you said we just have to find the joy wherever we can sometimes ❤️
You said it yourself- you are trying to find your footing - it’s definitely not easy work to take on. So sorry about you losing your dog and your motivation. This time of year the days are shorter and colder here and it is natural to want to hibernate. If this is happening near you as well, that just makes it harder to push through. I think it sounds like you’re giving your brain the rest it needs. Recharge and be gentle with yourself, please trust that you will figure it out! I hope you have someone nearby to use as a sounding board or just for big hugs when you need them. Wishing you the very best and hope to hear good news in your next update!
Thank you for sharing Jade! People have told me a lot that when you have a setback it's like someone pulling back on an elastic band - that force has to be there to propel you forwards again into the next thing (it's also ok if that's not helpful and things just feel shit right now). Very much routing for you and been meaning to check out the barbie show too! 💜
You two look amazing together and I think it’s because we all can sense the amazing comfort and support you both are radiating back and forth, like a halo of loving energy. And, obvi, your killer style. Sending so much love and warm fuzzies to you!
Awh this is such a lovely and perceptive comment Anna, thank you! Wishing you all the warm fuzzies as well (especially the warm part, bloody freezing where I am) 💜
I love these updates so much! I’ve been following your IG since 2015(make way for grandma!) and can’t explain what it’s meant to me for you to make such a unique and welcoming space on this earth:)
This month I’ve mostly been adjusting to a new autism diagnosis. It can be a lot to process but it has given me an understanding that there was never anything wrong with me, I just have different needs than others and that’s okay:) also debuted my pronouns(they/them) to myself and my partner. It feels good to take up space.
Hello fellow grandma! Congratulations on your diagnosis and on sharing your pronouns, both are an adjustment for sure. I hope knowing more about yourself helps you to establish healthy boundaries and good self care. Autism just means your brain processes differently than others and that is definitely ok! We are all unique. Best wishes to you and hope for a fantastic update soon about how well you are adjusting!
Wow Megan this is a big time for you! I'm really glad that you're finding the self-discovery healing and affirming and I appreciate you sharing with us too 🤗 Thank you for continuing to be here! 💜
Extra happy to hear that how you describe your love is EXACTLY how I describe my new love!!!! Definitely the healthiest relationship I’ve ever been in. I sympathize as well because I had the flu for 2.5 weeks!!! Sooooo sick, but I’m finally on the mend…December wasn’t having it 🤣
Woohoo! Love this love for us! Don't love the illness but fingers crossed that'll be all we get for a while, the size of the multivitamin I've started taking should hopefully help 😅💜
Wonderful that you are in a healthy relationship and can appreciate it after less healthy previous situations! And glad you are on the mend after illness, doesn’t it feel amazing to be back to your usual self? I hope you used the down time to rest and treat yourself kindly. Best wishes to you and your new love!!
I'm thinking it's time for me to find a new job. It's hard though, I've always had bad work/personal boundaries. I think I want to leave because my boss won't be my boss anymore, and she's been criticizing me about things that happened weeks ago.
My boyfriend has been so supportive, I love him so much <3
I've been looking for ways to make more friends, I feel like everyone I know is lonely but no one's trying to reach out. That's why I started a game-night at my workplace which was a big hit. I don't know if I can follow through with a book-club, but maybe I can join a choir.
Good for you for being pro-active Julie! You're absolutely right about everyone feeling lonely and nobody reaching out - it's brave and really admirable that you're making the effort to change the things that aren't working for you and also appreciate the things you are. Sending hugs and support 💜
Your boyfriend sounds like a good one, I’m glad he is there for you in this situation! No one likes to feel criticized by their boss and I don’t blame you for considering another option. You don’t owe them anything, do what is best for you!
Loneliness is tough, are there meetups or other groups in your area that might be an option? Game night sounds really wonderful, and joining a choir too - both are bound to help you connect with new interesting people. Best of luck!
I love reading your newsletters, they make for great breathers in the midst of a busy everyday life! The Christmas party sounded amazing, and I'm excited to hear about this upcoming one! I just started a job as a postman, have been working there for a month, and was yesterday asked if I wanted to take on the role as a middleman between my co-workers and our leaders (do not know what the title is in English, sorry), it's a huge responsibility and I'm sort of nervous about it, but also so very proud that they asked me if I wanted to take on the task! Pat on the back for moi! I wish you all a fantastic weekend!
Huge pats on the back! They must have seen something really special in you 🤗 I hope it's a fulfilling role and that you enjoy it! And thank you for what you said about the newsletter, very glad to be some fresh air in your day! 💜
Wow, congratulations on being offered a manager or supervisor type position! Feeling nervous is a good sign, you’re taking the new responsibility seriously and considering whether it’s something you want to take on. If you aren’t up for it, that is totally ok, and if you accept, I hope you get the support you need to be successful. Best of luck and I hope to hear a fantastic update next month!
Been an ill week for me too. But has been nice to see the work I’ve done with listening to my needs and trusting what my body/inner child is asking to do. Slowly building up the trust with her again that I respect her needs and instincts too.
It’s been such a wobbly month that getting ill was actually a nice place to see how much growth I’ve done and begin to integrate those lessons!
I love this comment Alex! Hearing you be proud of listening to your needs feels like a little bit more permission for me to listen to mine - the world needs that. Well done and I hope you're recovering well! 💜
I love your newsletters! I was really struggling with depression but then got a job working with native preschoolers, and the kids and my coworkers have made the depression reduce drastically. So grateful to have this job!!!
I’m finishing up my last semester at my 2 year college and obtaining my associates degree! I’ve been working on so many projects, the one I’m most proud of is my capstone project for a class I’m in, called “Human Values and Meaning” and I’ve designed tarot cards and handwrote a guidebook as my project!
After my semester I’ll be getting a new job and saving up money before I transfer to my dream college!
Thanks for sharing your amazing news Megan! It always makes me feel so happy!
Oh wow Marissa this project sounds awesome! I'd be curious to know what the most common values and meanings are 🤓 I hope things keep moving in this direction for you! You deserve! 💜
Amazing congratulations on your achievements and I wish you every success in your career! And we all look forward to updates in the future best of luck ☺️
Ok sounds like things are amazing for you, so happy to hear that you’re in the home stretch and working through a very cool sounding capstone project! Best wishes for a smooth wrap up to the semester and good luck with your new job and saving for your dream college - hope to hear a fantastic update soon!
Thank you again for such a wonderful newsletter once again. I really needed to hear the line "give yourself a fucking break." I'm not sure if I've mentioned this in this space before, but two years ago I was diagnosed with a serious chronic illness, and caring for myself and my wellbeing while balancing everything else in my life has been tough ever since. A couple of weeks ago my long distance gf came to visit me and now it's finals at uni, and so I've been super busy and have fallen off a bit with my self care. Rather than saying, "hey, you'll get back to it soon, take your time and be gentle with yourself, we all make mistakes" i keep berating myself for feeling like I've fucked up my health by not being as on top of doctor's appointements, meds etc. I'm really lucky to have a supportive gf who reminds me to be gentle with myself and to know that this illness is going to be a marathon to get better not a sprint and that I need to be patient with myself, but sometimes it's really hard to give myself a fucking break. So thank you for reminding me of that Megan. And also - you and your gf look so amazing together as you said! My gf is going to be visiting again in feb and while I miss her a lot I'm super excited to start planning an event we can go to where we'll have the opportunity to turn a look too hahahah! Thanks and much love
Hi Jane! Sounds like you're managing a difficult situation in a very human way (imperfectly, but trying) and that's definitely enough to give yourself credit for. I hear you on the self-berating when the self care slips (I do it all the time, too), but we both know it just makes us feel even shittier and less likely to take good care of ourselves in the long run. Let's both work on that 💜 I hope you have a beautiful time with your gf! And hey a lewk can equally be turned at home in your pjs, as long as you feel it 💜
hi Megan! I am so happy for you because it seems like you were in such a great place these days. My mom is newly in love with the most amazing person for her as well and it’s so beautiful to see this radiance in her that I am sensing from you too! I’m so happy that your relationship with Char is so fulfilling.
I am doing extremely well these days too. I have been feeling mostly content and at peace and I am really connecting deeper with myself. I am starting to do a lot of self relationship work in therapy, and it is really changing my approach to life in such a beautiful way! I am so grateful right now for my friendships. I feel so deeply loved and supported, and my close friends make everything feel rosy and sweet. I just love them so deeply and I don’t think I have had this kind of closeness with so many friends before, maybe a few individuals at different times, but it’s such an overwhelmingly beautiful thing right now!
This was so lovely and warm to read Lila 🥰 and I love how you describe your friendships as "rosy and sweet", that's exactly the kind of friendship people deserve and I'm so glad you have it. Sending love your way! 💜
Ooof the words about how it may actually be okay to not look for the bad in everything! I didn't know I needed that. Making lots of shifts behind the scenes in my business and trying to trust people more makes it tough when I'm paranoid about bad things happening. So this was a much needed love note. Also, hello everyone else, here! I love how active the comment section is!
I hear that Rochelle! It's tough to take that leap of trust when our brains want to protect us at all times. I hope it does work out, or I hope you learn from it (or both), either way, sending love and luck to you 💜
Reading MJC mail a bit late this month, but as ever it has brightened my day it always makes me sparkle that little bit more so thanks <3
The last few weeks have been emotional, its amazing how I always had a solid week or two in November or December where Im exhausted and cry, maybe its because I'm so busy throughout the year and things have caught up with me or maybe its the clocks changing (can we do away with that already!?) anyway reading your mail just makes me take a deep breath and find the great things in my life and just appreciate them and also let my body just exist and if its tired then that is okay.
Cannot wait to hear about the Christmas party and see Gemma in a fab outfit! You and bae are just goals those outfits!!, thank you so much for sharing you inner thoughts and parts of your life
This week I taught Mental Health First Aid for the first time and it was so lovely to be surrounded by people who want to be empathetic, listen better, and support others. My heart is full of warm fuzzies!
Tonight I am attending a cocoa pajama party with live music at my friend’s cafe. I made the homemade marshmallows (cinnamon, mocha, and chocolate) and my partner and I will be wearing men’s pajama sets from the 70s. Very excited to get cozy, eat delicious food, and be social in a low key setting.
This all sounds literally perfect Anna. Love this for you 💜
Wow!! Mental Health First Aid sounds like an incredible class!
A cocoa pajama party with live music wow!! HOME-MADE MARSHMALLOWS OMG!!
That sounds absolutely divine and cozy!!
Have a blast!!
That is incredible I am mental health first aid trainer last year and I frequently read up to what could be changed since doing my training itbwas very enjoyable and rewarding and have used my skills further a lot since. It not only helps others but helped my own mental health and well-being. Keep up the great work and I hope it continues to grow more people wanting to help others. Well done 💚
I regularly do trainings on actual first aid so it’s very cool to share the mental health part too! The courses are geared toward the agricultural community, lots of stresses and rural isolation, so very helpful to get people trained to recognize and support people going through a challenge. And yes, going through the training helped my mental health too 😏
We are all doing great things 💜
this is all so wonderful! hope things continue to go well for you.
Love this happiness for you! 🥺❤️ Omg I hope the Christmas party is amazing. I remember the posts about it last time, so fun! I've been in a strange place for a while. Lacking any motivation and direction and it's been amplified by losing my dog (it was 7 months yesterday 🥺) and recently failing a class and therefore not getting my degree in college. So trying to find my footing again. Trying to figure it out. Trying to fight my brain. But I balance that with playing my Nintendo switch a lot and watching Scooby Doo & lately Barbie dream house adventures. That's a new one for me & dunno how it happened. But hey, I guess at 27 I'm getting into Barbie again 😆 but like you said we just have to find the joy wherever we can sometimes ❤️
you got this jade! wishing you well
I’m proud of you Jade!
I love Scooby Doo! Are you a fan of the older seasons or newer seasons? I’m a fan of the older seasons from the 70s! 👻
You said it yourself- you are trying to find your footing - it’s definitely not easy work to take on. So sorry about you losing your dog and your motivation. This time of year the days are shorter and colder here and it is natural to want to hibernate. If this is happening near you as well, that just makes it harder to push through. I think it sounds like you’re giving your brain the rest it needs. Recharge and be gentle with yourself, please trust that you will figure it out! I hope you have someone nearby to use as a sounding board or just for big hugs when you need them. Wishing you the very best and hope to hear good news in your next update!
Thank you for sharing Jade! People have told me a lot that when you have a setback it's like someone pulling back on an elastic band - that force has to be there to propel you forwards again into the next thing (it's also ok if that's not helpful and things just feel shit right now). Very much routing for you and been meaning to check out the barbie show too! 💜
You two look amazing together and I think it’s because we all can sense the amazing comfort and support you both are radiating back and forth, like a halo of loving energy. And, obvi, your killer style. Sending so much love and warm fuzzies to you!
Awh this is such a lovely and perceptive comment Anna, thank you! Wishing you all the warm fuzzies as well (especially the warm part, bloody freezing where I am) 💜
I love these updates so much! I’ve been following your IG since 2015(make way for grandma!) and can’t explain what it’s meant to me for you to make such a unique and welcoming space on this earth:)
This month I’ve mostly been adjusting to a new autism diagnosis. It can be a lot to process but it has given me an understanding that there was never anything wrong with me, I just have different needs than others and that’s okay:) also debuted my pronouns(they/them) to myself and my partner. It feels good to take up space.
Hello fellow grandma! Congratulations on your diagnosis and on sharing your pronouns, both are an adjustment for sure. I hope knowing more about yourself helps you to establish healthy boundaries and good self care. Autism just means your brain processes differently than others and that is definitely ok! We are all unique. Best wishes to you and hope for a fantastic update soon about how well you are adjusting!
Wow Megan this is a big time for you! I'm really glad that you're finding the self-discovery healing and affirming and I appreciate you sharing with us too 🤗 Thank you for continuing to be here! 💜
Extra happy to hear that how you describe your love is EXACTLY how I describe my new love!!!! Definitely the healthiest relationship I’ve ever been in. I sympathize as well because I had the flu for 2.5 weeks!!! Sooooo sick, but I’m finally on the mend…December wasn’t having it 🤣
Woohoo! Love this love for us! Don't love the illness but fingers crossed that'll be all we get for a while, the size of the multivitamin I've started taking should hopefully help 😅💜
so happy for you!!
Wonderful that you are in a healthy relationship and can appreciate it after less healthy previous situations! And glad you are on the mend after illness, doesn’t it feel amazing to be back to your usual self? I hope you used the down time to rest and treat yourself kindly. Best wishes to you and your new love!!
I'm thinking it's time for me to find a new job. It's hard though, I've always had bad work/personal boundaries. I think I want to leave because my boss won't be my boss anymore, and she's been criticizing me about things that happened weeks ago.
My boyfriend has been so supportive, I love him so much <3
I've been looking for ways to make more friends, I feel like everyone I know is lonely but no one's trying to reach out. That's why I started a game-night at my workplace which was a big hit. I don't know if I can follow through with a book-club, but maybe I can join a choir.
Good for you for being pro-active Julie! You're absolutely right about everyone feeling lonely and nobody reaching out - it's brave and really admirable that you're making the effort to change the things that aren't working for you and also appreciate the things you are. Sending hugs and support 💜
I'm so pleased you have your boyfriend for your support network.
Well done on being focused it's not always easy and I wish you well and success in your activities
Your boyfriend sounds like a good one, I’m glad he is there for you in this situation! No one likes to feel criticized by their boss and I don’t blame you for considering another option. You don’t owe them anything, do what is best for you!
Loneliness is tough, are there meetups or other groups in your area that might be an option? Game night sounds really wonderful, and joining a choir too - both are bound to help you connect with new interesting people. Best of luck!
I love reading your newsletters, they make for great breathers in the midst of a busy everyday life! The Christmas party sounded amazing, and I'm excited to hear about this upcoming one! I just started a job as a postman, have been working there for a month, and was yesterday asked if I wanted to take on the role as a middleman between my co-workers and our leaders (do not know what the title is in English, sorry), it's a huge responsibility and I'm sort of nervous about it, but also so very proud that they asked me if I wanted to take on the task! Pat on the back for moi! I wish you all a fantastic weekend!
Huge pats on the back! They must have seen something really special in you 🤗 I hope it's a fulfilling role and that you enjoy it! And thank you for what you said about the newsletter, very glad to be some fresh air in your day! 💜
Wow, congratulations on being offered a manager or supervisor type position! Feeling nervous is a good sign, you’re taking the new responsibility seriously and considering whether it’s something you want to take on. If you aren’t up for it, that is totally ok, and if you accept, I hope you get the support you need to be successful. Best of luck and I hope to hear a fantastic update next month!
Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words! I shall keep you updated!🙋🏼♀️
Oh Megan this brought me a lot of joy this morning. Thank you as always for your openness! ❤️ thrilled to see you so happy!
wtf Ghenet I didn't know you had a newsletter! Hi! 💜
It’s new! Hiiiiii!!!
Love seeing one of my favourite newsletter writers commenting on another of my favourite newsletter writers! 😍
Aw that’s very lovely of you! Thank you!
Thank you Megan for the space to reflect.
Been an ill week for me too. But has been nice to see the work I’ve done with listening to my needs and trusting what my body/inner child is asking to do. Slowly building up the trust with her again that I respect her needs and instincts too.
It’s been such a wobbly month that getting ill was actually a nice place to see how much growth I’ve done and begin to integrate those lessons!
Thanks for sharing and giving space to share 💜🙏🌸
I love this comment Alex! Hearing you be proud of listening to your needs feels like a little bit more permission for me to listen to mine - the world needs that. Well done and I hope you're recovering well! 💜
I love your newsletters! I was really struggling with depression but then got a job working with native preschoolers, and the kids and my coworkers have made the depression reduce drastically. So grateful to have this job!!!
Oh wow what a meaningful job! So glad it's given you so much in return, I hope it continues to 💜
That is so cool Anna!!
Thank you so so much Anna! Your kind words mean the world to me!
I hope you are having an amazing day today!!
Megan that is all such wonderful news!!
I’m finishing up my last semester at my 2 year college and obtaining my associates degree! I’ve been working on so many projects, the one I’m most proud of is my capstone project for a class I’m in, called “Human Values and Meaning” and I’ve designed tarot cards and handwrote a guidebook as my project!
After my semester I’ll be getting a new job and saving up money before I transfer to my dream college!
Thanks for sharing your amazing news Megan! It always makes me feel so happy!
Oh wow Marissa this project sounds awesome! I'd be curious to know what the most common values and meanings are 🤓 I hope things keep moving in this direction for you! You deserve! 💜
Amazing congratulations on your achievements and I wish you every success in your career! And we all look forward to updates in the future best of luck ☺️
Ok sounds like things are amazing for you, so happy to hear that you’re in the home stretch and working through a very cool sounding capstone project! Best wishes for a smooth wrap up to the semester and good luck with your new job and saving for your dream college - hope to hear a fantastic update soon!
Thank you again for such a wonderful newsletter once again. I really needed to hear the line "give yourself a fucking break." I'm not sure if I've mentioned this in this space before, but two years ago I was diagnosed with a serious chronic illness, and caring for myself and my wellbeing while balancing everything else in my life has been tough ever since. A couple of weeks ago my long distance gf came to visit me and now it's finals at uni, and so I've been super busy and have fallen off a bit with my self care. Rather than saying, "hey, you'll get back to it soon, take your time and be gentle with yourself, we all make mistakes" i keep berating myself for feeling like I've fucked up my health by not being as on top of doctor's appointements, meds etc. I'm really lucky to have a supportive gf who reminds me to be gentle with myself and to know that this illness is going to be a marathon to get better not a sprint and that I need to be patient with myself, but sometimes it's really hard to give myself a fucking break. So thank you for reminding me of that Megan. And also - you and your gf look so amazing together as you said! My gf is going to be visiting again in feb and while I miss her a lot I'm super excited to start planning an event we can go to where we'll have the opportunity to turn a look too hahahah! Thanks and much love
Hi Jane! Sounds like you're managing a difficult situation in a very human way (imperfectly, but trying) and that's definitely enough to give yourself credit for. I hear you on the self-berating when the self care slips (I do it all the time, too), but we both know it just makes us feel even shittier and less likely to take good care of ourselves in the long run. Let's both work on that 💜 I hope you have a beautiful time with your gf! And hey a lewk can equally be turned at home in your pjs, as long as you feel it 💜
hi Megan! I am so happy for you because it seems like you were in such a great place these days. My mom is newly in love with the most amazing person for her as well and it’s so beautiful to see this radiance in her that I am sensing from you too! I’m so happy that your relationship with Char is so fulfilling.
I am doing extremely well these days too. I have been feeling mostly content and at peace and I am really connecting deeper with myself. I am starting to do a lot of self relationship work in therapy, and it is really changing my approach to life in such a beautiful way! I am so grateful right now for my friendships. I feel so deeply loved and supported, and my close friends make everything feel rosy and sweet. I just love them so deeply and I don’t think I have had this kind of closeness with so many friends before, maybe a few individuals at different times, but it’s such an overwhelmingly beautiful thing right now!
This was so lovely and warm to read Lila 🥰 and I love how you describe your friendships as "rosy and sweet", that's exactly the kind of friendship people deserve and I'm so glad you have it. Sending love your way! 💜
That’s amazing news Lila!
Wishing you even more happiness!
Ooof the words about how it may actually be okay to not look for the bad in everything! I didn't know I needed that. Making lots of shifts behind the scenes in my business and trying to trust people more makes it tough when I'm paranoid about bad things happening. So this was a much needed love note. Also, hello everyone else, here! I love how active the comment section is!
I hear that Rochelle! It's tough to take that leap of trust when our brains want to protect us at all times. I hope it does work out, or I hope you learn from it (or both), either way, sending love and luck to you 💜
Reading MJC mail a bit late this month, but as ever it has brightened my day it always makes me sparkle that little bit more so thanks <3
The last few weeks have been emotional, its amazing how I always had a solid week or two in November or December where Im exhausted and cry, maybe its because I'm so busy throughout the year and things have caught up with me or maybe its the clocks changing (can we do away with that already!?) anyway reading your mail just makes me take a deep breath and find the great things in my life and just appreciate them and also let my body just exist and if its tired then that is okay.
Cannot wait to hear about the Christmas party and see Gemma in a fab outfit! You and bae are just goals those outfits!!, thank you so much for sharing you inner thoughts and parts of your life