TODAY I WILL:  

Take the pressure off and let the magic in.

It’s a day for reading the fine print—on friendships, fabric tags, and Valentine’s plans.

• This theory might help you identify toxic friends.

• How to prep for that Valentine’s Day appointment.

• A psychologist is weighing in on baking romantic treats.

• How long is everyone leaving their shampoo in for?

• Trying to avoid “plastic” clothing…

Your nervous system = the new core.

For a long time, strength meant pushing harder. More reps, more sweat, more discipline. Lately, the definition is shifting. Instead of chasing intensity, people are tuning into regulation. Breathwork instead of burnout. Grounding instead of grind. Nervous system care is becoming the foundation on which everything else builds.

This isn’t about skipping movement. It’s about realizing that if your nervous system is fried, no workout, productivity hack, or wellness trend will land. Practices like slow breathing, cold exposure, and vagus nerve stimulation are gaining traction because they help the body feel safe again. When your system is regulated, energy comes back online naturally. 

The takeaway: Calm is the infrastructure for self-care. And right now, tending to your nervous system is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself.

Gentle reset ideas:

• Try a few minutes of extended exhales before bed.

• Walk barefoot on grass or concrete (yes, really).

• Swap one intense workout a week for mobility or breath-focused movement.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is teach your body to relax.

Rejection is the New Success Metric

Rejection used to be something we avoided. But in 2026, people are chasing it on purpose. Enter the 1,000 “Nos” Challenge—a viral TikTok trend flipping fear of rejection into fuel for growth. The premise is simple but powerful: Instead of aiming for wins, participants aim to collect rejections, trusting that each one moves them closer to a “yes.”

The movement took off thanks to creator Gabriella Carr, who shared her personal goal of receiving 1,000 rejections in a single year. She told followers that she believes “no” builds resilience, confidence, and momentum, and that staying comfortable keeps us stuck. Her original video introducing the challenge has millions of views and has struck a nerve with viewers who say it’s helping them finally go after the things they’ve been putting off.

The format is intentionally easy to replicate:

• Pick a number of “nos” to aim for (100, 365, even 1,000).

• Seek out opportunities where rejection is possible.

• Track both nos and yeses in a journal.

• Share progress with a friend (or publicly) to normalize rejection.

• Define the big goals that require bigger risks.

The takeaway: Sometimes the bravest thing you can do isn’t winning. The 1,000 Nos Challenge taps into something deeper: growth rarely comes from playing it safe. By making rejection the goal, people are finally permitting themselves to try boldly, often, and without shame.

With over 3M followers on Instagram and TikTok, Cassidy Montalvo has built a sort of sisterhood. What started as sharing beauty tips and styling ideas in real time has evolved into a space for the girls who didn’t grow up with a built-in guide to fashion, confidence, or self-expression. She offers her followers reassurance in a big sister’s point of view with reminders that fitting the mold isn’t the point. Confidence is the real outfit. 

From NYFW survival tips to morning mindset rituals and redefining wellness in a way that actually feels sustainable, we sat down with Cassidy to talk about building a brand rooted in authenticity, creativity, and grace. Consider this your official big sister chat—no gatekeeping, just real talk. 

You’ve been called Gen Z’s big sister—what does that title mean to you, and how did you grow into that role for so many people? 

Being called “Gen Z’s big sister” is honestly one of the biggest honors of my career. I never set out to be perfect or aspirational in an untouchable way or be considered anything close to having it all together (because I don’t for sure!), I just shared what I was learning in real time. 

Over time, I realized people weren’t just coming for outfits or beauty tips, they were coming for reassurance, perspective, and the things you don’t always get taught growing up. If I can make someone feel more confident walking into a room, trying a trend, or believing in themselves a little more, then I’m doing what I’m meant to do.

What would you tell the younger version of yourself—maybe the girl who didn’t feel seen in beauty or fashion spaces yet?
The many things I wish I could tell younger me, or just reassure younger me that she can trust herself. Truly the top thing I wish I could tell younger me and I hope a young girl wanting to get into the fashion space can hear is that not fitting perfectly into the mold is the whole point. Style isn’t about being accepted first, it’s about expressing yourself first, and letting the right spaces find you. 

What’s one non-negotiable in your NYFW survival kit?
Never leave without a mini emergency kit: Fashion tape, blister patches, and a charger! Trust you will use every single item through the long days and many miles walked. 

What’s the biggest lesson fashion week has taught you?
It’s going to sound cheesy, but it’s true, the biggest lesson is that confidence is the real outfit. You can wear the most incredible look in the world, but if you feel unsure, it shows. Fashion week taught me that personal style isn’t about impressing the room, it’s about owning the room. I get told daily when I share my eccentric outfits, “love it on you, but I could never wear that” or, “I would look a mess in that” and there isn’t a difference between me wearing something fun and someone else other than the confidence I feel in my outfit choices and that they make me happy. 

Let’s talk about your everyday formula: What’s the first thing you do when you wake up?
The first thing I do is stop myself from grabbing my phone. I take a breath, mentally set the tone for the day, and drink electrolytes. Those first few quiet moments help me start the day feeling intentional instead of reactive and sets the vibe for the day. I really think it’s important for everyone to allow their brain to fully wake up before entering the world of a million voices on their phone.