These 5 things are bringing me JOY

We recently got back from our annual company-wide summer break. Growing up on the Jersey Shore, I can’t get enough of being in the sea, so I spent as much time as I could in the ocean. 

As we can all feel, our world is in a super challenging place, and the stress, fear, and uncertainty is taking a toll. That’s why it’s important to cultivate and savor simple moments of joy as much as we can. 

Joy helps our minds and bodies stay healthy, and our spirits stay strong — which is something we could all use more of at the moment. So in today’s MF Insider, I want to share five things that are bringing me joy and warming my summer heart.

1. The Great (on Hulu)

I demolished this series about the rise of Russia’s Catherine the Great. It’s raunchy and fun and the amount of LOLing I did felt REAL good. 

2. The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

Many of you know I’m a zombie/futuristic/sci-fi fan. A book I’m super digging right now is the 1993 dystopian novel by the late Octavia Butler. Stunning how prescient it is.

3. Love as a Kind of Cure — The Freedom Festival

In case you missed it, I was honored to be a sponsor for this extraordinary online festival put on by Love As A Kind of Cure, focused on how to use love, joy, and art to inspire anti-racism.

Last Sunday, I was in conversation with the co-founders, Magogodi Makhene and Cleyvis Natera for their Anti-Racist Self-Care Brunch. They are simply brilliant. Follow them on Instagram and stay tuned for more upcoming events.

4. Interview with Mally Roncal

I’ve also been blown away by the response to our recent episode with makeup artist Mally Roncal. This quote, in particular, has been resonating with people…

“I will no longer allow myself to be around people that make me feel bad about who I am.”

Ummm… yes, yes and MORE YES. 

5. Being On The Today Show

Usually TV appearances require a lot of travel and prep. Not this time! I was on The Today Show with Hoda and Maria last week talking about how to use “everything is figureoutable” even during the hardest times — completely broadcast from my iPhone.

While none of us can predict what the future will bring, here’s what I know for sure. Practicing compassion — for ourselves, for our families and for people out there struggling with extraordinary pain and stress right now — is essential.

So when things get challenging, blanket yourself in love. And please don't be hard on yourself, Anne. Give yourself *extra* time to be, to feel, to think, to rest and to heal. 

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