What's in my Brightsiding Toolbox

Hey cuties,

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on what Brightsiding looks like in practice for me. Brightsiding, in its simplest form, is about meeting yourself where you are (wherever you are). Easier said than done - trust me.

By this point, so much of what I do during the week to stay grounded, inspired, and creative seems second nature, but it occurred to me that that hasn’t always been the case. My entire twenties have been a decade-long accumulation of tools that I reach for at various points based on what I need in the moment … and thanks to a lot of trial and error, I now have a pretty robust toolkit. Today, I’m sharing some of the resources and habits that I stay close to for my personal Brightsiding practice.

These tools are ultimately mechanisms for arriving at the present moment with less anxiety and fear and more empowerment and safety.

And let me just say .. when I started out with this, it was really hard to meet myself where I was. I went through my first few years of therapy kicking and screaming because it was so painful and confusing to meet the parts of myself that needed attention. But over time, I learned that the only way to “the brightside” (not that I think this is a finite destination) is by taking the long, winding road through the shadowier parts of yourself and meeting them with grace and compassion.

In the ~5 years (!) I’ve been writing this newsletter. Brightsiding has turned into a lifestyle for me, and it’s really thanks to a lot of these resources that I’m able to keep my head on straight and walk the walk. As I was writing this, I realized that I’ve settled into a rhythm with this practice … so I hope the peek behind the curtain sheds light on some new ways of thinking about your own Brightsiding routine.

Every month or so, I tend to grasp onto a mantra, phrase, or theme that informs how I use my time (this is typically represented somehow in my digital moodboards). Right now, the theme is very much blind faith + surrender - meaning, throwing “should” out the window and being pretty intuitive with how I’m spending my time, what I’m working on, and where I’m putting my energy.

Am I feeling compelled to touch grass? Off to Storm King I go. Beautiful October afternoon with no meetings? I’m putting on my rollerblades and hitting the West Side Highway. It’s about knowing when to force myself to get to yoga, and when it’s okay to sleep in. It’s about being disciplined without being rigid.

To prevent the scales from tipping from intuition to impulsivity, here are the tools I typically reach for in a day:

• EFT/Tapping

  • Start the day with a 5-minute tapping from Gala Darling. For the uninitiated, tapping/EFT is a very powerful (and simple) tool for helping with anxiety, stress, and redirecting your energy. It might sound a little woo, but I’ve found a lot of success with it. And hey, affirmations are never going to hurt.

• Journaling 

  • Morning pages are somewhat non-negotiable. Even if I’m not journaling in the morning, I am getting at least 3 pages of my thoughts into my journal on a consistent basis.

• HYDRATE

  • I mean, duh. I typically add a packet of LMNT to my Nalgene to get those electrolytes (not sponsored, just a fan!!!)

• Rocking a Fit

  • Getting dressed is really fun for me. Getting ready is a ritual … dressing for my mood and bringing intention into how I present myself—even if I’m working from home is very powerful.

• TBM Deep Imagining

  • Mid-day, like after lunch, I’ll typically do a Deep Imagining from To Be Magnetic. These 10 to 25-minute guided meditations are designed to help you work through limiting beliefs and move through the day more empowered. I especially love the “Reinforcing New Beliefs” DI, or the “Anxiety” DI when I’m in a particularly swirly headspace.

• Movement

  • Get outside and WALK! If I’m not listening to music, I’m listening to an episode of Almost 30 or The RobCast. I need movement every day … so if I’m not hitting SkyTing, you better believe I’m going on an hour long walk to somewhere. Or, squeezing in a quick Melissa Wood Health!

• Beginner’s Mind

  • Ever-inspired by The Creative Act, I’ve been trying to spend a few minutes a day getting out of my comfort zone. I’m doing this by experimenting with more TikTok videos, and learning how to sew (shoutout Kim for being my on-call tutor). Historically, I’ve never been great at embracing a “beginner’s mind,” and I’m trying to change that.

• Content Consumption

  • Gotta balance it all out with some fun TV. Lately, I’ve been obsessed with Industry, and Shrinking Season 2 (!!!)

• Rose/Bud/Thorn & Read

  • Every night, before bed, I write down my Rose/Bud/Thorn. It’s a nice way to reflect on the day, jot down glimmers, and check in with myself.

  • And finally, I’ll read a few pages of something before I go to bed (right after popping an Alice!). Right now I’m alternating between The Master & Margarita and Iron Flame (balance, lol)

The thing about Brightsiding is that it’s all a process. It’s about knowing what works for you in the moments that feel a little sticky, to help you ease into them, accept what’s right in front of you, and choose how to move forward from a more empowered place.

I’m curious to hear how you stay present and grounded. What does a day in the life look like for you? What are some fun new tools I can check out? Hit me with em, and have a great weekend.

I love you!!!

PS, my yoga teacher read this quote at the end of class this week, and it stuck with me. Enjoy it ❤️ 

EXTREMELY about this yellow Lacoste pullover.