TODAY I WILL:  

Allow joy to be reason enough.

From wellness menus to Sundance picks, it’s all taste this week—literally, cinematically, and sartorially.

• The menus at wellness retreats have gotten a glow-up.

• These movies showed at Sundance, and we can’t wait to watch them.

• Teyana Taylor is bringing her style to footwear.

• Why accessory queens are putting paper towel holders in their closets.

• This dessert is about to take over.

Daily Doses of Longevity

As advancements in longevity continue to fill our feeds with expensive new products made with the “right” ingredients, whole food recipes that promise to cleanse the damage done by junk food, and subscription workout routines that last longer than we can reasonably schedule… we admit we’re a bit overwhelmed. And really, you don’t need an IV drip or a 47-step supplement stack to support healthy aging.

According to the experts, there are key moments in your daily routine that will make an impact in your quest to live longer that won’t dismantle your life or come with a heavy price tag. Some of them you’re probably already doing, and now you can think of them as your favorite slow-burn investments. And for those who you aren’t, maybe now is the time to slowly make a change. 

Here are the research-backed heavy hitters for healthy longevity: 

Getting enough sleep: Rest is essential for your brain and body, and it's up to you to make sure you’re getting an adequate amount. While this may vary slightly for everyone, and as a rule, women need more sleep than men, there are tools to help you calculate what is right for you. 

Eating well: It’s true, certain foods may help slow aging, according to dietitians, but we’re not suggesting that you never have your favorite takeout order again. Still, dietitians advise eating more plant foods, focusing on protein, and getting enough calcium and vitamin D. 

Exercise: Regular activity is important. Research shows that benefits are linked to 150 minutes per week and can take the form of strength training, walking, biking, swimming, or basically whatever gets you moving in a way that feels enjoyable. Even just 30 minutes of movement at a time improves circulation, supports cognitive function, and helps preserve mobility. 

Managing Stress: Cognitive decline has been linked to increased amounts of cortisol, so it’s imperative to find the de-stress method that works for you. Think about a short meditative yoga session, a walk outside, or even a quick catch-up with a friend. These simple actions can help lower cortisol and give your body the reset it needs to age well.

Try this today: Choose one small thing that supports the future you. A walk around the block, a brain game, a veggie-packed lunch, or a quick check-in with someone you love. Aging well isn’t about doing everything—let’s get back to basics.

It’s the least wonderful time of the year. 

Tax season is one of the most stressful parts of adulting, according to younger Americans, but they’re increasingly using tax season to better control their finances. Gen Z and Millennials are leading the charge on early tax filing, with most (roughly six in 10) filing in January or February—far before the national average. Filing early means faster refunds, and thus more time to make decisions about what to do with those funds. 

Speaking of, refunds are being treated less like free money and more like an opportunity. According to Chime member data, about a quarter of refunds are transferred directly to savings, where they tend to stay (especially for Millennials). Spending is still increasing, but where young people invest is smarter and less splurge-y, such as home updates, electronic purchases, and necessary wardrobe upgrades. Sit-down dining also sees a jump after refunds hit, suggesting that people might want to treat themselves, but they’re doing so with meaningful experiences.

All in all, most still dread tax season, but getting some serious savings and thoughtful spending out of refunds might save us some stress in the future.

AI Is a Tool, Not a Personality

There’s a quiet shift happening in how people talk about AI. The early era was very “AI changed my life” coded. Now, the move is using it the way you’d use Google Docs suggestions or a really sharp assistant: helpful, invisible, and not the main character.

As time goes on, more people are starting to side-eye the overly robotic use of AI—those LinkedIn bios that announce it, the content that reads as if a robot wrote it, and the over-reliance that strips away voice, taste, and judgment. The real power users? They’re using AI as scaffolding. It helps brainstorm, organize, outline, and sanity-check—but the perspective, tone, and final say still come from the human.

What’s driving the shift is a mix of fatigue and discernment. When everyone uses the same tools the same way, everything starts to sound the same. Originality, taste, and lived experience are becoming the real differentiators again. Knowing how to use AI quietly, strategically, and without outsourcing your brain is starting to read as more impressive than announcing you use it at all.

Why it matters: The flex isn’t being “an AI person.” It’s being a person with good instincts who knows when to ask for help. AI works best when it supports your work, not replaces your voice. In other words, it’s an assistant, not an identity.