MAY '25 —
Birthday reflections, a life-changing health hack and more.
This month has been so full and fun, so I thought I would share some highlights with you. May began with the launch of this very newsletter(!), which simultaneously feels like yesterday and years ago. I celebrated Mother’s Day and my birthday, added a new health hack to my routine that has genuinely changed my life, and actually read quite a few books (and am especially excited for what’s currently on my nightstand). I can’t wait to dive in, but before we do, I’m kicking things off on a more personal note:
Last weekend I celebrated my 31st birthday. Birthdays are something I greatly look forward to (what can I say, I’m a gemini). I feel so privileged to celebrate another trip around the sun, and often think about how this is a privilege denied to many. For me growing older has, in fact, also included growing wiser. Part of that wisdom means being aware of how much I have yet to learn, and I so look forward to all the lessons my future will teach me. I thought I’d share some reflections with you, which is mostly a collection of things that you may or may not have heard before, but have proven reliable and important to me throughout the years. As I embark on this next lap around the sun, I welcome the future with so much inner peace and enthusiasm for what’s to come. Life truly keeps getting better with age…
No one else in this world is like you, and that is your superpower.
Take care of yourself. And I don’t mean in a #selfcaresunday, slap-a-sheet-mask-on-your-face type of way. Nurture your mind, body and soul. Be intentional about what you put in and on your body, and also your mind.
You are the sum of the people you surround yourself with. This applies in real life, but I think also when it comes to the content we consume, people we follow on social media, etc. If you need to unfriend, unfollow, break-up with someone—for whatever reason—don’t let anyone stop you.
Wear SPF. Every. Day.
Know your worth. “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
If you haven’t already, read The Untethered Soul. And if you have, read it again.
We all have “stuff”… deal with yours.
Build your capsule wardrobe. Don’t be afraid to invest in the pieces you wear everyday or you know you’ll have forever.
Don’t save everything for a special occasion. That applies to clothes, candles and cocktails.
If you’re wondering whether or not they like you… they don’t. If they did, you would know.
Don’t be so hard on yourself. Give yourself grace. Forgive yourself.
Not everything is about you. Sometimes we project things onto others, and sometimes others project things onto us. Recognize it and learn from it.
Be kind.
Practice gratitude. It’s ok to have goals and aspirations and wishes (they’re so important, too!), but taking a moment to be present with all that you have—not just material things, but your health, your relationships, etc.—will shift your mindset tremendously. Oftentimes what we currently have are the things we once wished for.
You don’t always have to justify yourself. Wanting to (or not) is reason enough.
Listen to your gut.
Ask for help. You might be surprised how many people want to help you.
Don’t take anything too seriously, especially yourself.
To be continued…
A Health Hack That Has Changed My Life
When it comes to my health and beauty routine, not much has changed over the course of my life (with the exception of slight adjustments during pregnancy and postpartum). I have always been physically active, eaten well, slept great, etc. I am loyal to the clean skincare products that I know work well for me. My self-care routine has always been relatively low-maintenance, and we all know you don’t fix what’s not broken, right? Well, I am as surprised as you might be to report that I’ve tried the latest “trend” that I officially cannot live without: mouth taping.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the concept, mouth taping is the practice of taping your lips shut at night to ensure you are breathe solely through your nose instead of through your mouth. Why would anyone do this? Here are some of the benefits:
Deeper sleep
No snoring
No groggy feeling in the morning
No bad morning breath
May prevent cavities and gum disease
Lower blood pressure
Increased energy
Boosts immunity
Natural face lift / more defined jawline
I began mouth-taping with relatively low expectations, assuming to see/feel results over time if I stuck with it consistently, but I was surprised at how quickly I felt the effects. After just one night I woke up with so much more energy than usual. I thought it was too good to be true, but I can honestly say that consistently waking up feeling rested and alert has been a game-changer for me (who knew lol). Within 3-5 days I noticed more definition in my jawline / my looked less puffy. I’ve also noticed that I don’t have bad morning breath / a funky taste in my mouth when I wake up. It’s safe to say I’m obsessed and have been telling all my friends about it (and will continue trying to convince my husband to do it with me, which is only a matter of time).*
It’s also worth mentioning that I first purchased a cheap mouth tape to see if I liked it (before I realized I could have tested this with good ol’ medical tape) before committing to the more expensive ones on the market, but quickly learned there is, in fact, a huge difference in the materials being used for both the adhesive and the outer fabric. I have been using these ones, which I actually cut into smaller pieces. I really love the feel of them, they don’t hurt to remove or leave behind a sticky residue, plus they come in a cute tin storage container. The size and shape are just a personal preference, as long as your mouth remains comfortably closed.
Additionally, this book has been recommended to me as a good resource on the topic, which I’ve just purchased myself and can’t wait to dive into.
*I hope this goes without saying, but mouth taping may not be suitable for everyone. Please consult a physician before trying this if you have a medical condition.
Speaking of books, May has been a great reading month for me. In my previous newsletter I spoke about how I’ve been gravitating towards shorter books, and I’m happy to report that I’ve been able to read quite a few this month, curing me of my reading rut. Here is a link to the edit in case you missed it:
After reading Madonna in a Fur Coat by Sabahattin Ali, I read Universality by Natasha Brown, Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa, Seven Days in Tokyo by José Daniel Alvior and Alterations by Cori Winrock. Madonna in a Fur Coat was by far my favorite read of the month, and Alterations would have to be my least favorite, which surprised me because I’m a huge fan of the Undelivered Lectures series from Transit Books.
I think I’m ready for longer read now and my timing couldn’t be more perfect: this month the highly-anticipated new novel from Ocean Vuong was released, and while I’m not usually a fan of celebrity book clubs (and their stickers), I specifically purchased a copy with the Oprah’s Book Club sticker on it. Hearing what this honor meant to him brought me to tears… This video will give you a taste of what their conversation was like, but I encourage you to watch the full interview here. This is one of those wholesome full-circle stories that you can’t help but feel good about, and bearing witness to Ocean Vuong’s wisdom will likely be more than enough to convince you to read all of his work. This book of his is one of my all-time favorites, and I have all the confidence in the world that his latest work will be my next 5-star read…
Audrey x