Welcome back to Good Thoughts! And congratulations—you officially made it through the 37-week marathon that was January 2025. Seriously, was that the longest month ever, or just me?

Whether you spent it braving below-zero temps, dodging wildfires in LA, navigating the emotional rollercoaster of political shifts, or simply trying to keep the winter blues at bay—take a moment to acknowledge yourself. You’re still here. You’ve made it through another month, and whether you feel it or not, you’re a little stronger, a little wiser, and a little more resilient than yesterday.

Here’s what to expect in this issue:

1. How to fall in love with the process

2. The “Let Them” Theory + other Wellness Trends

3. A Self-Love Challenge

4. A Wellness Series from one of my favorite podcasts

5. Our Weekly Relationship Meeting Template on Notion!

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 🙏🏽

♡ Fall in love with the process.

In college, one of my writing professors told us that if we didn’t love the process of writing, we’d never truly be writers. It wasn’t just about enjoying storytelling—it was about embracing every part of the journey: rewriting drafts, starting over, and facing criticism. You had to love becoming something, not just the idea of being that thing. That lesson has stuck with me, and I often ask myself, “do I love the process, or am I only motivated by the potential result"?” As a runner, do I truly enjoy the training—or do I just want to say I ran a marathon? (TBD 😅)

In the spirit of February, a month centered around love, let’s shift on how we approach our growth, wellness, and daily lives. It’s easy to get caught up in chasing results—whether it’s losing weight, landing a dream job, or reaching that “perfect” state of happiness. But as anyone who has raced long-distance knows, true fulfillment doesn’t come from that one single moment of crossing the finish line; it comes from knowing and appreciating all the hard work you put in to get there.

Here are a few ways you can practice falling in love with the process this month:

💌 Romanticize Your Routine – Add small, thoughtful touches to your daily habits—light a candle before journaling or create a special playlist for your workout.
♡ What this looks like for me: I’ve started using the shower as a space for visualization, turning it from a place of mindless activity into a moment of mental clarity.

💌 Practice Daily Self-Check-Ins – Reflect each day on what felt good and what small action moved you forward. Tracking your effort rather than just the outcome helps build confidence and momentum.
♡ What this looks like for me: I have a daily calendar reminder to check in with myself. It helps me stay focused and motivated, even when I’m not hitting a new goal every single day. Here’s a free template that might help!

💌 Detach from the Outcome – Set goals based on the process, not just the result. Instead of aiming for a specific outcome, focus on the steps you need to take in order to get there.
♡ What this looks like for me: ICYMI, I’m training for my 6th half-marathon and my first full marathon this year. My focus has been on showing up consistently to train, even with a recent injury.

This month, challenge yourself to let go of the pressure to “arrive” somewhere and instead appreciate where you are. I promise the journey itself is worth celebrating. ❤️

Wellness Trends 🌱

Analog Wellness: The Global Wellness Institute just released its top wellness trends for 2025, predicting a major shift in culture with The Analog Wellness Trend taking center stage. As we reach a breaking point with digital burnout, more people are opting to disconnect and embrace a simpler, low-tech way of living. Think less screen time, more nostalgic, pre-digital experiences. This movement isn’t just about taking breaks from tech—it’s about reimagining our lifestyles, from how we travel to how we design our homes. It’s a return to slowing down and focusing on what truly nourishes our well-being. Read more about or purchase the full report here.

The “Let Them” Theory: Although it first gained traction nearly two years ago, the "Let Them" theory has recently been making waves on social media due to the release of the best-selling self-help book by the same name. Coined by Mel Robbins, the theory centers around the power of acceptance in relationships. It encourages letting others be who they are, without trying to change them, while focusing on your own personal growth. This mindset shift introduces a key self-growth concept where there was once a gap: the power of letting go. Keep reading for a personal lesson I experienced using “Let Them.”

Other note-worthy trends so far in 2025:

• AI integration for personalized fitness plans. (I follow a personalize training plan via my Garmin Forerunner 255s, and it updates my suggested workouts each day based on my sleep, energy, and current activity load).

• Intentional and values-based dating. Emotional Intelligence is no longer just a nice-to-have (bless!).

• A recent report shows Gen Z & Millenials are the top two generations prioritizing mental health and improving strength & endurance compared to their elder counterparts who are focused on other health goals such as losing weight, and lowering blood pressure.

Reframing Self-Love 💘

An important celebration for the month will always be making time for self-love—not just the bubble baths or candles, but through the deeper work of setting boundaries and making choices that align with our long-term well-being. True self-love is about honoring your needs, being intentional with your time, and standing firm in what supports your mental and emotional health. It’s not always glamorous, but it’s essential for growth.

For me, a pivotal lesson in self-love came when I had to let go of friendships that no longer aligned with the person I was becoming. It wasn’t easy—I wrestled with guilt, self-doubt, and the fear of disappointing others. But the more space I intentionally created, the lighter I felt. I leaned on the Let Them theory, reminding myself that while I couldn’t control how others felt, letting go wasn’t just about removing negativity—it was about making room for relationships that truly uplifted and supported me. Sometimes, self-love means making difficult choices that protect your peace and long-term happiness. It’s a powerful reminder that growth often requires release, even when it’s uncomfortable.

♡ Self-Love Challenge: write a love letter to yourself.

I imagine most of us have written a sweet note to someone in our lives we care about; why not take the time to offer yourself that same gesture of appreciation? Although it sounds simple, this can be a powerful way to acknowledge all that makes you who you are.

Here are some prompts to guide you:
💌 “I’m proud of myself for…”
💌 “One thing I love about my personality is…”
💌 “If I were my own best friend, I’d remind myself that…”

Take your time to reflect, write, and pour some love into these words. Then, keep it somewhere you can revisit — whenever you’re feeling down, or even when you just need an encouraging reminder. Let your own words be a source of comfort, motivation, and love you can lean on when you need it most.

What I’m Loving Lately ✨

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

♡ What I’m Watching:
Severance, of course. Arguably one of the most creative and interesting shows out right now, and even more fun knowing it’s one of SZA’s favorites.

Better Man was the only new movie we saw last month but it was worth the hype. In my opinion, you don’t need to be familiar with Robbie Williams, the English singer the film revolves around, in order to appreciate his story of struggling with societal pressure, mental health, perseverance, and forgiveness.

♡ What I’m Reading:
Onyx Storm. I wouldn’t cast myself in the hardcore fandom circle as some of the Fourth Wing riders, but I have been enjoying the story and it was fun to show up early to grab our copy of the newest book in Rebeccas Yarros' series.

♡ What I’m Listening to:
Hidden Brain. One of my typical go-to podcasts that explores the unconscious patterns driving human behavior and aims to answer questions that lie at the heart of our complex and changing world. They’ve been releasing content lately as a part of their Wellness 2.0 series and every episode is worth the listen.

♡ What I’m Loving Lately:
Award Season. I know Hollywood awards can be viewed as controversial in the public opinion, but I personally have always loved tuning in. I appreciate art in any form, and I often feel inspired by the performers speeches, giving thanks and acknowledgement to their own hard work, while often lifting up others in the process. Here is a cool article I found highlighting a few of the most inspirational acceptance speeches.

Love for the Organized Couple 🤓

It’s finally here! Our Weekly Relationship Meeting Template is now live in Notion! 🥳

Nothing promotes falling in love with the process like getting organized and intentional in your relationship. If you enjoyed the Free Template, you’ll LOVE this new and improved version. Truthfully, I have always been operating our meeting out of Notion but I wanted to really take my time in designing and building out the space before sharing it. It’s complete with everything the original meeting has, but with additional organizational spaces including an Expense Tracker, Date Night Planner, AI prompts for Ice Breaker Questions, and so much more!

To use the Notion template, you’ll need a Notion account, which you can create for free here. Then, head over to my Stan Store to snag your copy of the template.

Subscribers of this newsletter have access to the template at a discounted price for 48 hours so make sure to grab it before the end of the weekend!

Final Thoughts 💭 

♡ January Reflections:

Now that the rush of the new year has settled, February invites us to move beyond resolutions and into deeper alignment. The excitement of January may have sparked fresh goals, but true growth comes from consistency, reflection, and honoring what truly matters to you.

This month, consider how you’re supporting the intentions you set. Are your daily choices aligning with the feelings and experiences you want to cultivate? Small shifts—whether in mindset, habits, or relationships—can have a profound impact over time.

February is a reminder that transformation isn’t about speed; it’s about depth. Trust that the quiet work you do now will shape the months ahead in ways you may not yet see. Here’s to a month of patience, presence, falling in love with the process, and building a foundation that lasts.

♡ New & Upcoming:

Good Thoughts Brand: ICYMI I shared my most honest and vulnerable post ever last month, which set the stage for why I started GTB. I’m excited to roll out new products so soon and hope you’ll follow along for what’s next with the brand!

More Digital Products: Now that I’ve gotten my feet wet in Notion, expect more high-quality digital resources to come! I’m working on my first ever e-book, and more supplementary templates for the organized couple, including our master Wedding Planner!

More Good Thoughts: the newsletter continues to evolve and I appreciate you being here! To break the content up, we may be headed toward 2 publications a month—be on the lookout for more Good Thoughts in your inbox, soon! 🫶🏽

♡ What did you think of this issue? Let me know by sharing your (hopefully good) thoughts! Reply directly to this email or fill out a quick survey here.

♡ Mantra of the Month: Fall in Love with the Process. 💕

Let’s Connect!

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