JUL 8, 2026

INSIDE: Minimalist Showers, Finding Nature, and Taking Control.

TODAY I WILL:

Choose self-respect over people-pleasing.

A little heart, a little SPF, and a few things the internet can't seem to quit.

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Less Loofah, More Life

Not every shower needs to be an event.

Lately, more people are giving themselves permission to skip the marathon routines and stick to what they actually need. The hair mask and body scrub can wait, because the shelf full of products isn't going anywhere. Sometimes, a simple wash-and-go shower is enough.

The idea behind shower minimalism is less about following a trend and more about letting go of the pressure to turn every shower into a full self-care experience. After years of being told that beauty routines should be longer, more involved, and packed with products, something is refreshing about keeping things simple.

That doesn't mean abandoning the occasional everything shower. It just means recognizing that most days don't require one. A quick shower, a few favorite products, and getting on with your day are starting to sound pretty luxurious on their own.

A Scenic Escape from the City

Going upstate is a rite of passage when you live in NYC, but the Catskills are actually an accessible escape from quite a few places in the Northeast. And it really is the perfect place to go when you need to cool off from concrete jungles or chill out away from the hustle and bustle. There’s hiking, horseback riding, great food, and quaint towns. You won’t regret a trip up there for a second.

Stay:

• It’s rare for the place you’re staying to be just as stunning as some of the attractions, but the Catskill Mountains/ Gilboa KOA Holiday genuinely is. Situated within comfortable driving distance of everything on this list, it’s a great home base. Stay in an RV, tent, or cabin and enjoy the plethora of amenities (pizza, a pool, playgrounds, etc). But the true draw is the gorgeous swimmable creek just steps away from the cabins. You can (and should) spend hours in the cool, clean water wondering how it’s even real.

Eat & Drink:

• Brunch: Fuel up for the day at Fellow Mountain Café. After trying their stellar breakfast sandwiches, delicious pastries, and yummy lattés, you’ll likely be back every morning.

• Lunch: You may have tried Bread Alone’s bread from the farmer’s market or grocery store, but you’ll like it even better freshly baked at the Bread Alone Woodstock Café. Enjoy it as toast or a sandwich, but either way you can’t go wrong.

• A Little Treat: Stamford Coffee is perfect for a mid-day pick-me-up. Grab a coffee and walk around the idyllic little town until your next commitment.

• Dinner: This one is definitely a splurge but it is so worth it. Make sure you get to Prospect at Scribner’s hungry because you’ll want to try something from every single course. And yes, the steak is that good.   

See & Do:

• Seeing the Western Catskills on horseback is really the best way to do it. Broken Spoke Stables accommodates any level of rider (even first-timers) with their lovely horses. And you really can’t beat a relaxing ride in the most beautiful setting.

• Wake up early to get a parking spot to view the absolutely stunning Kaaterskill Falls. It can get busy, but you shouldn’t miss this hike (especially because you can see other viewpoints as well). If you’re less adventurous, there are easier access points to see just Kaaterskill Falls.

• For more hiking, the Ashokan Rail Trail has 11.5 gorgeous miles for you to explore. This is definitely an easier trail walk, so it can be a great option for those who don’t want to do a lot of bouldering or climbing.

• Nature on nature is on display at the Mountain Top Arboretum, a public garden in displaying and managing native plants as well as native and exotic trees. It’s 2,400 feet in the sky—another one not to miss.

• If you’re looking to really, truly relax you can spend the day at the spa at The Emerson Resort.

Your Future, Three Ways. 

What if the secret to making your next big life decision... was stopping yourself from choosing just one path?

Notably, the average person makes thousands of decisions every day (big and small), and all that mental juggling can lead to decision fatigue—a very real phenomenon that can actually prevent you from making significant choices. That's where the Odyssey Plan comes in.

Developed in Stanford's Designing Your Life course, the exercise encourages you to imagine