When did being incessantly busy become the norm? The non-stop grind has become such a part of my daily life that I can’t remember a time when I was on top of my to-do list. (True story: Said list is so long it stretches beyond the fabric of space and time.) And as for a break—a real one, not one of those “still answering email” faux­cations I’m so fond of—I’m going to schedule one soon. I just have to finish writing this letter first.

We explore society’s addiction to this “hustle culture” in “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop.” I’m admittedly in deep, but I’ve got a few ways to help take the pressure off.

1. Keep a “good things” diary. When small, unexpected nice moments happen in my life (like that time a woman ran three blocks in the rain to give me my cellphone after I’d left it in a café), I jot them down in my Notes app. On rough days, I scroll through the entries, which grounds me in reality rather than rumination. “Small Wonders” reminds us of the big impact a little thing can have on another person; even just giving a genuine compliment can change the trajectory of someone’s day.

2. Get out of your head. Mindfulness doesn’t have to happen on a silent retreat. Dance classes are my meditation. (Give me loud music and a packed, high-energy studio over yoga any day.) Keeping up with choreography is so physically and mentally challenging that I remain fully focused in the moment and can think of nothing else. Plus, I love how dancers dress: in layers and pieces made to move in. (See “Lace Up” on page 84 for a fun fashion take on dancewear.)

3. Pick the easy option. Sometimes when I get home from work, making dinner just isn’t something I’m capable of. That’s why cereal was invented. (If you relax by cooking, “Recipe for Success” is for you.) I hope this month’s issue offers you a little respite from your busy life.

Vanessa Craft 

Editor-in-Chief 

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