What’s Saving My Life (So far in 2026)

Darling friends, how on earth is it almost July? I am constantly amazed at how long some of the days feels but how short the months are – especially since 2020. Part of me always feels like we’re living in a pandemic time warp and like time is no longer real (anyone else? 🤪)

Okay okay, coming off the dystopian timeline thoughts, todays post was inspired by one of my favorite podcast, The Lazy Genius. Once a quarter or so, Kendra shares a list of the 10 things saving her life that quarter. For me, I love this cadence of looking back on favorite things, new tips and tricks and sometimes, a check-in on annual goals so I decided to try it out here.

So, let’s jump into what’s been saving my life the first 6 months of 2026:

1. Reducing my screen time with the help of Brick. What at first felt silly, now feels like a great little tool to keep me from doomscrolling and constantly refreshing the news channels. I started with two blocks but now have three daily: 9:30am-11:30am, 1:30pm-4:30pm and 10pm-11:30pm.

2. Turning my morning matcha into a protein matcha. I know, I know – we are all tired of hearing about protein (and honestly, I feel the same way). However, in alignment with my dietician and some other lifestyle changes, adding a scoop of 20g protein to my morning matcha has been the easiest way to make sure I start the day off right. I’m still working to perfect the ratio so it’s smooth over ice but overall, I’m loving this morning combo as part of my morning trio: hot tea, ice water with liquid IV and something green – previous green juice, now protein matcha.

3. Setting a Sunday tea. If you’re following along on Substack, you’ve probably seen my countless photos of tea service on silver trays. This started as a way to enjoy my Sunday mornings without hurry and to continue to use my nice things every day. And now it’s something I feel like I can’t live without! Unless I’m traveling, I’m setting some version of a Sunday tea service for myself. It’s truly been such a joy and I’m grateful for this little Sunday ritual.

4. Following a rewatch podcast (sometimes for a new to me show). Over the past two or three years, I’ve fallen in love with rewatch podcasts. I started with one for Girlfriends, then was over the moon to listen to one for Sex and the City; grew even more excited when one was started by two stars of Scandal; and most recently, rallied all the troops to tune into the Unofficial Official Reliving Single Podcast. While two of those are on a break, Unpacking the Toolbox and ReLiving Single, I started listening to the new rewatch podcast for Insecure. Similar to all the shows above, I didn’t watch any of these shows in real time because I was either not alive yet or too young to watch. But in my adult life, have had so much fun getting caught up on those pop culture icons and being able to understand so many modern day references. Right now, I am truly enjoying watching one episode of Insecure a week then tuning into the 1 hour podcast episode with behind the scenes insights, what the writing process was like and how the show was perceived when on air. This is very much a micro joy of the week!

5. Having multiple ways to capture my goals. ICYMI, I shared a post all about silly goals to try earlier this year. I took much of my own advice and added some fun goals to my 26 in 26 list including trying 12 new restaurants; attending 6 performances; reading and watching 26 classics; taking 26 long baths and so on. I’ve added either a checklist or bingo card to the oversized bulletin board in my office and have been enjoying the physical act of checking these off or adding details to the list. And as a bonus, although I can’t prove it, I actually feel like I’m hitting my goals sooner and having so much more fun while doing it.

6. One line a day journal. Admittedly, I’ve fallen off of this one recently but love the thought of having a space for a few words at the end of each day in a journal that I can take with me for the next five years. It’s such a great reminder that no matter how hectic the day was, if I’m lucky, there will be so many amazing days ahead. I have this green malachite one that’s small enough to travel with me everywhere.

7. Quarterly admin days have forced me to be even more intentional about finding a full business day to use for life tasks once a quarter. This day includes everything from checking retirement accounts (since I have a big goal this year – I never checked before TBH); confirming my next quarter of shipping subscriptions for things like dog food, skincare prescriptions, favorite snacks, and so on; tackling a small house project and completing anything that’s fallen to the bottom of my to-do. So far this year I haven’t needed a full day, more like a few hours, but the dedicated time allows me to squeeze in an extra workout; clean out the fridge, get caught up on personal emails and handle anything else that’s lingering like scheduling appointments and stocking up on household needs. This practice helps me feel more on top of life tasks and has seriously reduced my day to day stress so far this year.

8. Creating a go-to list of stress releasing activities. I would love to swear that stress doesn’t impact my day to day life but, that would be a total lie. Instead, I’ve allowed my stress release list to grow longer and longer and get more and more creative. This list includes my weekly 2+ hour bath; an “emergency” stress reduce night ritual of turning off all the lights, lighting candles and breaking up with my phone for at least 3 hours to read a physical book or work on a puzzle; and go-to comfort shows on every streaming service. Then some more practical techniques from breathing practices to a making warm cup of magnesi-om to grounding work.

9. Making routine things easy as possible. Here’s a running list:

• Book club pick selections – I ask for suggestions every month and only pick books from those suggestions. This has been saving my life for a solid three years. I will only pivot if I read something amazing or get an author request to join our chat and discuss their book. This way, the burden of picking the perfect book falls off of me and allows others to feel included in that monthly decision.
• Nail appointment scheduling – nails happen on the same day of the week, every other week. I avoid weekends and never have to worry about going too long in between appointments.
• Outsourcing-ish – I stack as many outsourced related things on top of each other as possible. When my house is being cleaned, Max is also at the groomer and once a quarter, my car is getting cleaned too (I get whatever the special at Autobell or a similar business is that includes interior and exterior – doesn’t have to be fancy). If it’s Saturday, I treat myself to a matcha and farmers market shopping then by the time I’ve picked up my flowers and fresh produce, I have time to get the car cleaned ~20 minute process, Max is ready to be picked up and the house is refreshed just in time for us to come back. If it’s a Friday, I grab my laptop and head my favorite coffee shop near Max’s groomer and get comfy. By the time my two hour parking session is over, it’s time to pick up Max and head back home. If I’m really on top of things, I’ll order groceries and lunch for pick-up so when I get home, I don’t have to do anything until dinner time.
• 15 minute closing shift – AKA putting the house to sleep. It’s enough time for me to pick up the main spaces, bring any dishes into the kitchen; straighten up the office and tackle any small tasks that will make my next day easier.

10. Simplifying hosting at home. Something I’ve experienced since moving to Charlotte is that hosting leans more into happy hours and causal hangs vs more formal dinner parties like I had in Austin. Because I’m always down to host pretty much anything, I’ve found that this current style takes the pressure off and allows me to be ready to host at any time. Here are few things I’ve tried:

• Adding Aldi mini croissants to my grocery list for easy morning hangs. Even if I don’t host anyone, these mini croissants are a great breakfast treat or midday snack with a warm beverage. I keep a trio of As Ever jams in the fridge and with an entire tea drawer, it’s easy to invite someone over for a casual morning catch-up over tea, fruits and warm croissants. If I have a little extra time, I’ll swing by Whole Foods and pick-up a small quiche.
• Having a standard open invite for Sunday spritz. This one is a little new but as the days feel longer and the sun shines well past 8pm, it’s so nice to end the week with a sparkling beverage on the porch. I keep a few bottles of bubbly and fun mixers in the fridge at all times.
• Always offering to host a cocktail before or after formal plans. If there’s a dinner on the schedule, or tickets for the ballet in hand or an exhibit opening that evening, it’s easy to make the casual invite to swing by before or after for a causal beverage. This is one of my favorite ways to host because it forces me to be ready early and keep my house prepped for hosting at all times.

Well friends, that’s all for today! I loved looking back on some of my favorite tips, tricks and habits that have been saving my life so far in 2026. Thanks so much for reading xo AR