THE ROOT 9: 17.3

This week's reflection centers on the often-overlooked impermanence of material possessions. In a world that frequently encourages us to accumulate, it's easy to mistake temporary satisfaction for lasting value. We might find ourselves pouring time, energy, and even emotional capital into acquiring or maintaining things that, by their very nature, are designed to degrade, break, or become obsolete.

Yet, there are other forms of wealth – experiences, relationships, personal growth, skills, or contributions to something larger than ourselves – that offer a deeper, more enduring kind of richness. These aren't subject to market fluctuations or planned obsolescence; their value often compounds over time.

I encourage you to reflect on how you define and cultivate true wealth in your life.

And yes, I hate to say it, but I saw Materialists in theatres on Wednesday night and it was the catalyst for this week’s Food For Thought. And, on the topic of texts to self, here is the quote I heard during the movie that I wanted to remember that I did, in fact, text to myself:

Put Pen to Paper!

This week, my mind has been circling around the simple act of writing. Not the emails or the to-do lists, but the kind that brings joy, offers relief, and gives you a moment to breathe and truly gather your thoughts.

Even as someone who writes frequently for this newsletter, I've realized how little time I've dedicated to writing purely for the sake of it, especially outside. Life gets busy, and weekends are precious, often filled with catching up with friends or tackling errands. But when was the last time you truly free wrote? No agenda, no pressure, just pen to paper.

There's a magic in untamed writing. If I were to write some tips on how I approach it, it would almost go against the intention of letting your thoughts flow, unburdened by expectations and (perhaps) subconsciously influenced by how I go about it.

In the coming week, I'm making it a point to carve out time to simply sit outside—whether at a table or stretched out on a blanket—and just write. When I’ve taken the time to do that in the past, the moments bred letters to loved ones and myself, personal reflections, and seeds of new ideas. Quite frankly, the premise of The Root 9 came about when I took the time to write down what I enjoyed doing and seeing if I was actively engaging in hobbies that were feeding that. Writing was one of them and I realized I just wasn’t doing it as much as I’d like to be.

So, this weekend, I encourage you to try something simple: grab a pen and paper, find a quiet spot, and just write. See where your mind takes you when there's no clock, no screen, and no rules.

Suede for Summer

Suede - one of my favorite material that many of us associate with crisp autumn days, cozy boots, and structured bags. And while I adore it for fall, gloomy weather and rain can make it less than ideal. I bought a pair of We The Free Dylan Vegan Suede Long Shorts for my bachelorette trip and I fully expected to return them if they didn't make the cut into the weekend’s wardrobe.

Even though they didn’t end up making it into my outfits for the weekend, something about them kept me from letting go. There was an undeniable effortless cool to them, a vibe that felt perfect for summer. To me, their perfect to dress up a leisurely stroll and easily transition from being worn on a hot day (think tank top and boots) to a chic evening look with kitten heels and a jacket. I'm embracing suede for summer, and I've even rounded up some styling inspiration and standout pairs for both the ladies and the fellas if you are intrigued.

Gals

Guys