SEP 8, 2026

INSIDE: Failure Fears, Afternoon Slumps, and Chicago’s Newest Star.  

TODAY I WILL:

Protect my energy before I protect anyone else's expectations.

Fall isn’t technically here, but we’ve already entered our cozy, slightly witchy era.

• The midnight margaritas are officially back on the menu.

• Have your coconut cake, and eat it too.

• Your toes are ready for fall, even if the weather isn’t.

• Being unserious might actually be good for your brain.

• The overlap between ADHD, anxiety, and perimenopause, explained.

Nothing to Fear but Fear Itself? 

It’s an old saying but according to a new study, it may be incredibly valid. You know that feeling when you want to go for the promotion, pitch the idea, or finally try the thing—but your brain immediately starts drafting a 12-page presentation titled “Everything That Could Go Wrong?” Turns out, our fear of failure may have roots that go further back than the decision in front of us.

In the research, analysts looked at how young adults experience fear of failure and explored how painful childhood memories involving criticism might continue to shape their reactions to making mistakes as adults. Researchers used imagery-based psychotherapy techniques, including one called “imagery rescripting,” where participants revisited a difficult memory and imagined a supportive figure stepping in to defend and comfort their younger self. After four therapist-guided sessions over two weeks, participants showed reductions in fear of failure, sadness, guilt, and physiological stress responses that were still evident months later.

The findings offer an interesting reminder: The meaning we’ve attached to past failures doesn’t necessarily have to stay fixed forever. Researchers found that creating an unexpected, safer outcome within the imagery exercise appeared particularly important for therapeutic change. You don’t have to turn every career decision into a therapy session. But recognizing that fear isn’t always a prediction of what’s about to happen—it can also be an echo of what happened before—might make it a little easier to stop letting it have the final say.

Try this today: Think of something that has been looming over you because of a failure to fail. Then, instead of asking, “What if it goes wrong?” ask yourself: “What am I actually afraid will happen if I fail?” and “What would I tell a friend who had that same fear?” You don’t have to eliminate the fear before you move forward. Sometimes you just need to stop treating it like a forecast.

You know the feeling: Lunch is long gone, dinner feels very far away, and your to-do list suddenly looks twice as long. Enter the essentials helping us power through that mid-afternoon slump and find our second wind. These are the energizing sips, satisfying snacks, desk-side pick-me-ups, and little mood boosters that make the rest of the day feel way more manageable.

1. Flamingo Estate Green Goddess Candle, 2. FLRT Guava Lava Energy Drink, 3. Fields Good Focus Cookie, 4. Cubii Under Desk Elliptical, 5. Typology Nourishing Hand Cream, 6. EADEM Face Mist, 7. Create Creatine + Electrolytes, 8. HigherDose Infrared PEMF Go Mat, 9. Barrière Energy Boost Patches, 10. TRUBAR Protein Bars

Walking away from something you love isn’t easy—especially when that something is being a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader. But after three seasons with the iconic squad, Reece Weaver decided it was time to trade the football field for a new stage—a Broadway stage, to be exact.

Stepping into the shoes of one of musical theater’s most famously ambitious leading ladies, Reece is Broadway’s newest Roxie Hart. Just before her first curtain call, we caught up with Reece for a candid conversation about taking that leap of faith, her New York chapter, and what keeps her motivated. 

Take us back to the moment you found out you’d be making your Broadway debut. What was your immediate reaction?

I honestly was speechless because I just couldn't wrap my head around how this was actually happening. This has always been a dream of mine, so I, of course, was starting to well up with tears. I just didn't know how to react because I just couldn't believe that this was actually going to happen and come to life! 

Roxie Hart isn't exactly known for being understated. How much fun is it to step into the mindset of someone who wants all the attention? Is there anything about Roxie that you unexpectedly relate to?

It's definitely something I really have to take some time to get locked into because I wouldn't say that I condone any of the actions and the steps that she takes in order to succeed. But one thing I can kind of take from her story is that she's a go-getter, and she's not going to let anyone or anything get in her way. And so, I think having that connection with her, while also then having to actually put my feet in her shoes, is a little bit of a challenge there. But I do think that her story and her character can be relatable in the sense [that] she's really passionate and is hungry for what she wants, and I think we all have that in us.

What's your personal pep talk before you walk onstage? 

I think one thing that always keeps me grounded and centered is knowing that I'm here for a purpose. I [also] have so many role models that I look up to, and I think that something that I'm really passionate about is wanting to be a role model for others. I always think about that little girl, who is probably there for her first Broadway show, or someone who has always dreamt about wanting to do this.

I think the responsibility of carrying that and being a role model is a bigger responsibility and bigger weight to carry, and I don't take that lightly. I always try to remind myself to perform for that one person whose first Broadway show it is, or it was their first Cowboys game. You always want to dance for that one person