💛 The world continues to be and feel heavy. If you don’t have the emotional or mental space for this newsletter, feel free to move on with your day. No hard feelings. ✌️

💭 What I’m thinking about

Do you remember The Berenstein Bears?

Gosh, this family felt like such a staple of my childhood. The books, the shows… Seeing that image just transports me right back to wishing I lived in their cool treehouse.

I barely remember anything about the episodes or books, except for the one about the Green Monster, aka jealousy.

If you have no idea what I’m talking about, here’s a little synopsis:

* Berenstein Boy gets a bike

* Berenstein Girl is jealous and turns into the Green-Eyed Monster

* The Green-Eyed Monster makes her do terrible things and she learns that jealousy is bad

Looking back, I think I internalized this book a little too much. 😬

Jealousy has always felt like an icky emotion. I don’t want to feel it — it’s bad. So, I avoided envy. I muted people on Instagram, I skirted the emotions whenever they crept up. I also thought that jealousy and envy were the same things.

It’s only been in recent years that I’ve learned that these emotions (really, envy) are not bad feelings. It’s actually more of a guide and a gateway to what you actually want. Envy, especially, can be a teacher.

What’s the difference between jealousy and envy? I’ll let Brené take that one. Watch this.

Here’s what I mean when I say that envy can be a guide to what you want:

* Are you envious of a friend’s trip? Probably means you want to (and should!) take a similar one.

* Are you envious of how a coworker sets boundaries? Maybe you need to say no a little more.

* Does looking at home decor accounts on Instagram light a fire inside you? That might be telling you that you want to dedicate time to cleaning, organizing, or redecorating your space.

Envy is a weird one! And hopefully, this inspires you to get curious, instead of avoidant, of envy.

🤔 A question for you

Would you want to join a vision-setting session with me?

Click one or the other:

Yes!

Not this time, but thanks!

In the past week, I’ve donated to a few organizations that support abortion access for all, but I want to do something more. I’m thinking about organizing some sort of workshop or session where all proceeds go to an organization the group picks. I’d love to know if you’re interested. 💟

💖 Something a lil fun

In the Spring of 2020, I joined the world in learning how to make bread. I’ve kept it up, making a loaf of focaccia every few months or when someone lovingly begs me to do so. I’m starting to sell the focaccia to friends in my area, so I’d like to introduce Shaka Focaccia. Give it a follow if you feel so inclined. 🤙

Or just use that pic as your new phone background. 😉

🎵 A song for you

Nostalgia is in, and if Jewel and Train don’t bring up nostalgia for you then I’m not sure where you were in the early 2000s.

And here’s the playlist for your enjoyment.

Dance slow today,

Zoë

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