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 Invisible Dialogue of Tone
Tone matters just as much, if not more, than content.
I've been reflecting on this a lot, both in how I interpret what is said to me and in the energy of my own delivery. When it comes to things being told to you (be it tough feedback, unexpected extra work, or even very positive news) the tone of how it is delivered dictates the energy we give back. Have you ever received great news but stumbled over how you should react? That may have happened because the tone of the delivery.
What I’ve been thinking about more though is how I deliver my own messages. You might be incredibly confident or sure of an answer internally because you have thought about it a lot, but it does not "land" out loud the way it did in your mind. Have you been too critical in your tone when you actually meant to have a positive and constructive conversation? Or not externally sounded as excited as you truly felt?
The biggest self-feedback I’ve noticed is that my rest directly impacts this disconnect. Sure, I can work when I am tired. But when I’m tired, I notice a gap between the energy I feel or the words I intend internally and how that message may come across externally.
In a way, this is forcing me to elevate the importance of rest. Across all the things I work on, this is the one I struggle with the most. Especially when I consider things I really care about, I default to thinking that spending more time late at night will better impact the end result and deprioritize rest, but I fear that habit I’ve cultivated from when I was young transcends to being counterproductive to older we get. This week, I’m giving myself a reminder that showing up rested is a form of professionalism and self respect, ensuring your delivery matches your intention. 🙂
2/3. Well-being Weapons
The Niche Therapy of Shared Content
I’ve reframed connecting with a friend on a shared and potentially niche qualm / struggle you both may have (be it an anxiety, an interest, or something we are working on) as a powerful source of wellness…while also sparking a sense of gratitude 🙂
One of my best friends and I have naturally created this cycle of sending each other relevant TikToks about these things and it’s become something that I view really thoughtful, but also to have benefits that extend past what the video may bring:
It’s subtly began to curate my feed in a way that makes it less of a mind numbing scroll and more of a self betterment exercise. The algorithm is now feeding me constructive content. (It actually inspired me to curate my feed better to my interests too)
It’s an easy way to reground myself while feeling friendship strengthen. There is immense relief in seeing a thirty second video that perfectly articulates the specific, sometimes silly, anxiety you thought you were dealing with alone
The broader wellness is simple: lean on your people and let them lean on you. Friendship is a beautiful thing, give it the room to flourish! It’s a reminder that while we often celebrate the big acts of support, the most consistent form of care comes through small shared moments of recognition.
3/3. What’s Wowing Me: Weekly Obsessions
Oh man, it’s simple but maybe a tad bit unhealthy…Diet Coke with Lime. Let me live a little! It is limited edition, at the end of the day…
This Sunday, we fixated on a mission to find the soda, calling Safeways, Targets, and Smart & Final's... and then…BevMo had it. The unlock was calling a place that would have sodas but wasn’t everyone’s first stop for a grocery run. We grabbed four bottles each, I don’t know if it was the placebo effect of procuring them successfully, but I quite love them.
Maybe indulge in a little treat?
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.