JUL 13, 2026

INSIDE: Alternative Guidance, Girl Budgets, and Reading Inspirations.

TODAY I WILL:

Set aside an hour to call my bestie.

Today, we’re texting our friends in alarm because of an alarming new concert trend.

• Let’s give a round of applause to Zendaya’s beauty looks. 

• Ninety percent of US adults have this syndrome. 

• What is going on at these concerts…?

• People are finding new ways to go analog. 

• Lazy but still want to stay in touch with your friends? Here’s how.

Is It “Woo Woo” if it Works?

Ever notice how the things people dismiss as "woo-woo" often have one thing in common? They invite us to slow down. 

Whether it's a Reiki session, pulling a tarot or oracle card, attending a sound bath, setting crystals on your nightstand, or simply lighting a candle before you journal, these rituals create something many of us don't get enough of: uninterrupted moments of presence.

Notably, the science behind practices like Reiki is still mixed, but researchers continue to study whether they have benefits beyond relaxation. But there is strong evidence that intentionally slowing down—through meditation, mindful breathing, and other calming rituals—can help reduce stress, lower heart rate, and shift the nervous system out of "fight-or-flight" mode.

But there's another reason these practices can feel so powerful: Meaning matters (neuroplasticity). Psychologists have found that our expectations, beliefs, and the rituals we create for ourselves can shape how we experience stress, comfort, and well-being. In other words, if pulling a tarot card helps you reflect on your day or a Reiki session leaves you feeling more centered, that experience has value—even if the ritual itself can't explain it all.

Try this today: Lean into one ritual that helps you feel grounded. Pull a tarot card and journal about what resonates. Book the Reiki session you've been curious about. Light a candle before reading instead of reaching for your phone. You don't have to believe in magic—you just have to make space for a moment that's meaningful to you.

Girl Dinner, Girl Budget

If you've spent any time online lately, you've probably heard some version of "girl math." You know, the idea that returning an item means you made money, buying something on sale is basically saving, or paying in cash somehow makes it free. It's obviously a joke, but it also became popular because almost everyone recognizes themselves in at least one of these questionable calculations.

The funny part is that a lot of these spending habits aren't actually about math at all. They're about how we justify purchases that feel good in the moment, a pattern psychologists call mental accounting. A $200 dress can suddenly seem reasonable because you'll wear it for years (think cost per wear). A $7 latte feels insignificant because it's "just one coffee." A vacation booked six months ago somehow feels free by the time the trip arrives.

Of course, actual math is a little less forgiving. A deal only saves money if you were going to buy the item anyway. Five small purchases still add up. And those "little treats" can quietly become a meaningful line item if you're not paying attention.

That said, not every purchase needs to be optimized into oblivion. The goal isn't to eliminate fun spending. It's simply knowing the difference between a financial justification and a financial reality. Sometimes the answer is "I want this, and it fits my budget," which is much more straightforward than the mental gymnastics we usually perform.

The good news? Most people don't need better math. They just need a clearer picture of where their money is actually going. While rich girl math can be entertaining, your bank account still uses regular math.

Sometimes, the best way to cope with your real life is to explore someone’s made-up one. Today, we’re sharing recs for books where the protagonist rediscovers themself, changes up their life dramatically, or proves it’s never too late for an adventure.

The Hobbit: Hobbits are famously comfortable staying near their homes for their entire lives, which is what makes Bilbo Baggins’s story so remarkable. He goes on an adventure with Gandalf and a band of dwarves that changes not only how he sees himself, but also his entire life. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures: This feel-good book is probably going to make you cry, but it’s worth it. It follows Tova, a widow, who works the night shift at an aquarium when she makes an unlikely friend: a giant Pacific octopus who knows more than anyone can imagine. 

The Daevabad Trilogy: Nahri doesn’t believe in magic… but when she accidentally summons a djinn warrior, she realizes her life (and beliefs) are about to seriously change. This must-read trilogy is full of political intrigue, soul-searching, identity crises, and love.

Get a Life, Chloe Brown: If you’ve ever been stuck in a serious rut and needed to change your life fast, this book is going to feel seriously relatable. After a near-death experience, Chloe Brown makes a list to shake things up in her life—and luckily, she meets a really hot guy to help her out along the way. 

The Divine Between Series: This is a refreshing book where the protagonist is not a naive teenager and is instead a 34-year-old mother with some life under her belt. She’ll do whatever it takes to save her kidnapped daughter, while also trying to reconcile with the magically gifted man who broke her heart. 

Eat, Pray, Love: This one is actually not fiction and instead follows the author’s actual journey through Italy, India, and Bali—all of which she travels to explore herself and escape unfulfillment. 

When Lemons Give You Life