Thanks for being here. If this was forwarded to you, you can subscribe here to join The Root 9 Community.
On Wednesdays, we’ll reflect: See below for some some of what I’ve learned from the week to inspire reflection, a well-being soundbite, and a view of my wish list / recs / things I’m currently obsessing over. 🙂
1/3. W.I.L.T.W (What I Learned This Week)
The Evolving Practice of Being Clear
“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind.”
This quote popped back up this week, and it's a powerful one. It was actually a key piece of feedback a mentor gave me a while back, and it's something I lean on often.
A lack of clarity in our communication can stem from several places: maybe our default is to be verbose, we jump to a response too quickly without collecting our thoughts, or we're subtly influenced by a fear of having difficult conversations. Whatever the root cause, poor clarity prioritizes our own need for comfort over the other person's need for understanding.
Interestingly enough, I recently completed an Enneagram test and received feedback that while my personality type values authenticity and meaning, I can tend to express myself in verbose or emotional ways that may dilute the intention of what I’m trying to get across.
It was a great reminder that we can always improve our communication. Even if we feel we articulate ourselves clearly most of the time, it's never a skill you can practice too much. In my opinion, if we get too comfortable in the internal feeling that we communicate with perfect clarity, we risk lapsing back into being unclear.
What I learned this week is simple: feedback is powerful in the moment, but it’s just as important to keep it top of mind and carry it forward as an evolving practice.
Can you practice kindness through clarity this week in an area of your life?
2/3. Well-being Weapons
The Easiest Sleep Hack
Now that the temperature is dropping as we get into cooler months, let’s lean in to one of the most powerful things you can do for your wellness that requires zero effort: sleep with the window open and let your room get a little cooler.
I used to think a dark, quiet room was the whole story (and religiously packed a sleeping mask whenever I traveled) but temperature is also critical for restorative sleep stages. The difference it makes is huge:
Improved Sleep Quality: Cooler temperatures help your body reach and maintain the natural drop in core temperature needed to fall asleep and stay in the most valuable sleep cycles.
Boosts Metabolism & Recovery: Sleeping in a colder environment may stimulate brown fat activity, which is linked to better calorie burning and metabolic health. It also aids in muscle recovery.
Better Hormone Regulation: Cooler sleep conditions support the production of melatonin (sleep hormone) and can help reduce nighttime cortisol (the stress hormone), leading to more consistent and restful sleep.
If you struggle to fall asleep or wake up feeling unrested, try lowering your thermostat or cracking a window tonight. It’s a subtle shift that integrates care into a space we often overlook, our sleep environment, and pays major dividends. I tend to look at my ‘sleep score’ and wonder what supplements or practices I can implement to improve it and often overlook a small but powerful one, such as this one.
3/3. What’s Wowing Me: Weekly Obsessions
I’ve been snacking on way too many chocolate-covered almonds lately, as a result of leftover wedding favors in our pantry. While that's not necessarily a bad thing, accidentally eating a whole bag and promising myself gastric distress is definitely not fun.
So, when I was at Trader Joe's this weekend looking for a new snack to meet my sweet craving, I was reminded of how much I love cantaloupe when I saw a cut-up box of it.
It is nearly the perfect substitute. It’s refreshing, hydrating, and has essential vitamins like A and C. Plus, its high water content and fiber make it surprisingly filling and great for digestion.
It’s such a simple, perfect snack, and I've been obsessing over it as my new guilt-free sweet fix.
Want to live with intention and find more joy in your daily life? The Root 9 Community is for you. You’ll get inspiration, reflection, and mindful indulgence straight to your inbox three times a week. Unlock your potential for a more balanced, fulfilling life, one week at a time. Join The Root 9 Community here and find your balance.