Happy April!

And welcome to Spring! Even with the yo-yo weather still keeping us on our toes, April feels like the universe finally making good on it’s promise. Winter seems to linger the most throughout those final weeks of teasing sunshine, but we can finally look ahead to brighter days that feel genuinely and reliably alive.

We’ve already started to open our windows more and let in the fresh air. Even more romantic, I often find myself waking to a choir of birds singing so insistently, they must have an urgent message to share! And perhaps their message is that the waiting is over! Perhaps now is the time to embrace uncertainty; have faith in whatever plans have been laid. Perhaps this is the month to redirect whatever energy had us reflecting and planning throughout the start of the year, and instead, start building, creating, and preparing for abundance.

Sure, difficult transitions (not just within the weather) may still lie ahead. But in alignment with the changing weather — unpredictable, yet with a promise of eventual reprieve — I’m viewing April as an opportunity to consider forward momentum, despite less than perfect conditions.

Here’s a peek at what to expect:

1. Lessons from the orchid

2. New skincare I’m loving

3. My go-to running gear

4. What I’ve learned about maturing in romance

5. The Oscar nominated movie we watched last month

6. Newsletter feedback!

If you were forwarded this email, we’re happy you’re here! Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on future issues. 🫶🏽 

Mantra of the Month 🙏🏽

♡ Courage over Certainty 🌸🌈

Consider the orchid. I love the orchid because it’s mysterious and beautiful. It requires specific care, blooms in full in the spring and summer, then often goes dormant during the winter months. During this period, despite faithful watering and attention, the plant shows no visible signs of life. For months, you might wonder if you’re simply nurturing a lost cause. You might even give up because the instant validation of your efforts isn’t there. Yet experienced orchid owners know, beneath the apparent stillness, essential processes are still taking place. Without certainty of when, or even if, new growth will emerge, you water anyway. You believe anyway.

We often demand visible evidence before committing our energy and resources, but what if embracing “courage over certainty” means continuing to nurture what matters, especially when results aren’t immediately apparent?

Showing up consistently without guarantees can be radical. Honoring the invisible work happening beneath the surface means trusting our commitment matters, even when the timeline might remain a mystery.

Here are some practices for cultivating this courage:

💌 Practice Persistence: Identify an area of your life that currently shows no obvious “blooms” and commit to a consistent, patient attention regardless.
♡ What this looks like for me: Marathon Training. I’ve been running since I was very young, but I’m currently training in a dedicated way I never have before and after months of staying the course, despite no obvious results, I can honestly say I’m starting to feel different, and not just physically. Committing to a new routine is never easy, but once you realize you’re keeping promises you made to yourself, it’s amazing how positively it impacts your mindset.

💌 Celebrate Dormancy: Practice recognizing that dormant periods aren’t failures but essential phases of regeneration.
♡ What this looks like for me: Leaning into the white space on my calendar, or reframing what might feel like a “stall” in a project, relationship, or practice as an opportunity to get curious about how to change directions, or try a new approach.

Choosing courage over certainty isn’t always intuitive. Our culture conditions us to expect immediate feedback, to pivot quickly, and that we should always be thriving. But sometimes the most profound growth comes from the seasons when you continue to show up even without guarantees.

Health & Wellness 🌱

This month I wanted to spotlight some specific health & wellness trends I’ve been loving lately 🙌🏽

♡ Happier: I ebb and flow when it comes to consistent meditation but it’s certainly true my best days start with a moment of silence. I’ve been using the Happier app for my daily-ish practice and I love it! There are a ton of different courses you can explore to learn the basics of meditating and it suggests themes for you based on your goals. You can try it for a week free here!

♡ Skincare: Since December I’ve been dumbing down my skincare routine, taking on the mindset that less is more. This month I tested out a new gadget and mask that I’m really loving for overall clear skin, even complexion, and added moisture. They’re the Medicube Mini Booster Pro and the Collagen Overnight Wrap and I’ve linked them both here!

♡ Running Gear: It’s finally half-marathon month! I’m SO excited for the Cap City Half-Marathon and I’m running in the OSU 4-Miler at the end of this week! As I’ve been gearing up (lol), I’ve been testing out some new running gear for race day. I’m a big fan of the Asics Novablast as a go-to training shoe, and their new version is completely reimagined. I also just picked up the Mizuno Neo Vista which should help add a little boost on race day! I don’t plan to go all out and buy a whole new outfit for this race, but here is a peek at what I’m thinking my race day kit might look like.

♡ Running Fuel: I’ve also been experimenting with different fueling strategies for the race. I like to test out what I eat before, during, and after so that I can be strategic on the day of. Before a run, I usually go for gluten-free toast with almond butter, banana, sea salt, and honey. During my long runs I much prefer gels over gummies, and I’ve recently gotten into Huma gels! I also love SaltStick chews for added electrolytes, and recovering with Cherribundi, and BPN G1M. Here’s a snapshot of my go-to fueling picks!

Keep an eye on my social media this month as I continue to refine my go-to strategies for protein and carbohydrates in preparation for race day. And if you have any recommendations, send them my way!

Relationship Corner 💘

One thing you all have continued to provide feedback on is your interest in relationship content and advice. So turning this section a bit more personal, I of course have to start by addressing the couple of the moment: Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco.

ICYMI, the two got engaged last year (a few months after after Cody and I 😌). They recently started giving interviews together, seemingly celebrating the engagement, but also in promotion of their new duo-album, I Said I Love You First, which was released at the end of last month.

Personally, I’ve always been a huge Selena fan. She’s just that cool girl, you know? Obviously a multi-talented pop-star, but genuine, mature, and down to Earth. As someone who openly struggles with mental illness, I especially look up to Selena and the way she uses her platforms to promote mental health and just overall being a good person. (If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend her 2022 documentary: My Mind and Me).

The best part about Benny and Selena being the center of attention right now is that the maturity of their relationship is causing a shift in how modern-romance is being talked about, even if jokingly, online. When they first started dating a lot of people were “confused,” as if they knew Selena personally and assumed Benny was below her standards. Now, the internet is clearly holding every man in their life to account if they’re not learning from Benny’s example of being such a strong romantic partner. (Tip: just search “Benny Blanco Interview” in Instagram Reels to hear some of his *chef’s kiss* quotes).

I’m linking two interviews with Selena and Benny. You can read the transcript of their conversation with Mel Ottenberg here, and watch their conversation with Jay Shetty here. And while you’re at it, read the comments. 🥰 

What I’m Loving Lately ✨

A quick roundup of what’s brought me joy over the past month.

♡ What I’m Watching:
A Real Pain. Kieran Culkin’s Oscar winning appearance as Benji, the un-relatable cousin to David (Jesse Eisenberg, who wrote and directed the film). On a trip to Poland to honor their late grandmother, and as the two attempt to navigate their quirky, dysfunctional relationship, the movie explores mental health struggles through Benji's unfiltered emotional outbursts and David's repressed anxiety. I found it poignant and thoughtful in how it uniquely contrasted everyday neuroses with historical trauma, and was simultaneously haunting and comedic.

♡ What I’m Reading:
The Rosie Project. I love an Australian-set novel (blame Liane Moriarty), and this one has been exceptionally cute. Told from the perspective of the main character, who happens to have undiagnosed Asperger's, it’s an unconventional love story that starts with his struggle to have serious relationships with women, and turns into an unexpected journey of better understanding himself and the world around him.

♡ What I’m Loving Lately:
Teaching. ICYMI, I’m back in the studio and excited to be teaching again! If you’re in Columbus, you can find me at The Grind Garage and Modo Yoga! I’ve been a fitness professional for almost a decade now and after taking an entire year away from instruction, it’s been so fun to get back into it. It’s unfortunately not been completely like riding a bike, so I’m challenging myself to enjoy the re-learnings, meeting myself where I’m at, and leaning into the patience that’s required for growth.

Final Thoughts 💭

You may have noticed this issue was different than last month! I’m continuing to work toward changing up the formatting and content based on your feedback so I’d love to hear from you! What was missing here that you enjoyed in other issues? What do you love about the newsletter and what do you want to see more or less of?

♡ Let me know by sharing your (hopefully good) thoughts! Reply directly to this email or fill out a quick survey here. 🫶🏽

Have a great week and month! 💕 - T

♡ Mantra of the Month: Courage over Certainty 🌸🌈

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