Welcome to the mcosm journal. The lifeletter dedicated to living deeply, personal growth, & social change.

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you’re not all you’ve got

this much is true
short, guiding columns by our founder.

You are not all you’ve got.

You’re the descendant of your oldest ancestors, 

who themselves are descendants of the seeds of life on this earth.

And those seeds of life are the great, great grandchildren of the same fabric that holds up the sky, the moon, and the stars.

This same fabric holds you up. It holds up each living being, as it did every person there ever was. 

Treat it right. Hold it back.

~ P

P.S. if you love this section, it’s expanding in a new, separate platform—Lifepunk.

Lifepunk is an invitation to go deeper, get spiritual, and be more honest. And it comes with a short, free, weekly newsletter, launching tomorrow, Monday, April 8th.

Interested? Learn more and be one of the first to subscribe here.

prompt
follow-ups from this much is true. If the last section resonated with you, grab a journal & a pen, & commit to these next steps.

This week, consider:

What are some ways you’ve been supported recently, big or small?

➨ List them. Take a moment to soak in the feeling of support.

What can you be grateful for?

➨ List things both grand and mundane.

Refer back to your lists whenever you need a reminder of all the blessings around you.

🪐 from our universe
NEW: go deeper - what’s bubbling beyond the journal

Love this much is true, or our prompts, but want to go deeper?

Explore Lifepunk, a new, separate, platform by our founder, all about reflection, growth, and the spirit.

Get a brand new, brief weekly newsletter every Monday (except holidays), as well as reimagined digital guides and premium audio collections if you want to explore more.

Officially launching Monday, April 8th (tomorrow). Subscribe here.

~

Want more on women’s health and cyclical living?

Join Notes from the Underworld, a holistic, subversive women’s health newsletter by our head editor, Sabrina.

This new, biweekly newsletter explores cyclicality, body literacy, & holistic wellbeing. Future issues drop every new and full moon.

Launches this Wednesday, April 10th. Subscribe here.

~

Did you know: “ prompts” is our readers’ third-favorite section of this newsletter?

Find out what mcosm journal readers say their other top three sections are, what over 90% of you agree on, and how this newsletter will (and won’t) be evolving here.

We had so many responses from you all, that this year’s survey was statistically significant. Thanks to everyone who participated

vibes: showers & spring flowers
in the air rn.

This week, allow your body to connect with water.

Whether it’s dancing in April rain or relaxing in a warm bath, indulge in the comfort it provides. Add a few drops of essential oils to soothe you further, bringing your mind and body to a moment of peaceful stillness. Cater to what you require in that moment – lavender relaxes and improves sleep, vetiver grounds, and tea tree cleanses and reduces inflammation. Close your eyes, inhale, and release toxins. Like spring, feel your lungs bloom with fresher air.

As another alternative, hang a eucalyptus bundle in your shower to relieve congestion and calm anxiety. Flowers are friends, so include them in your meditative practices and feel the benefits of their healing properties. Light some candles, set the tone with calm melodies, and wash away the burdens of your day. Give yourself room to immerse yourself in play, self-care, and comfort, all by the vessel of water.

aesthetic: heirlooms, dim lighting, & total eclipse
principles of a deeper chic.

When things get hazy, turn your sight inwards to navigate through.

Use your wardrobe to invite healing. Grab your largest hoodie to protect from April showers, and allow the soft fabric to bring you comfort. Adorn your simplest fits with jewelry most meaningful to you. Whether a family heirloom or a worn friendship bracelet, let your accessories remind you of who you are, and who you want to become.

Feeling overwhelmed? Find solace in your space. Turn on dim lighting to set the mood, and pull out pen and paper for a moment of reflection. Light a couple of candles, fluff up your bedsheets, and rearrange your decor to center the pieces that feel most grounding. Your space is for you, so make it your own.

Mirror the sun and moon’s movements through the deep hues of total eclipse. Go dark to find light again - let yourself rest in the shadows. Use the quiet of the sky to recharge your energy and start anew. Look to this Pinterest board to channel this stillness. Be with yourself, and breathe. When you delve within, you learn how to light your own way.

🫦 well, actually… pick your produce wisely 🫛
hot tips for the whole self: look good, get deep sleep, eat whole foods, have good relationships, move your body, & stress less.

It’s well documented that regular exposure to the herbicides and pesticides widely used in conventional farming can lead to a whole host of health issues.

And the impact of these chemicals disproportionately affect women, potentially leading to hormonal disruption, increased periods cramps and PMS, uterine fibroids, and even cancer.

But thankfully, you don’t need to buy everything organic to avoid them.

Some fruits and veg (like strawberries, spinach, and grapes) are more heavily sprayed with pesticides, and so are more important to get organic.

🥝 Others (like avocados, kiwis, and carrots) have less pesticide residue and are okay to get conventional.

The Environmental Working Group just put out their 2024 Dirty Dozen & Clean 15 lists — they’re great guides to check out before heading to the grocery store.

~ Sabrina

P.S. if you love this section, go explore Notes from the Underworld, a new women’s health newsletter by Sabrina that launches soon. Subscribe here.

culture

grounded in our pillars.

Worth reading (books to change your life): Things You May Find Hidden In My Ear by Mosab Abu Toha

“Through it all, the strawberries have never stopped growing.”

A collection of vivid, personal memories, Toha’s poems illustrate cycles of destruction and violence in his home of Gaza. From distant childhood anecdotes about his grandfather to the tribulations of raising a family in a land under siege, this piece of writing gives power to a voice that commands for humanity. In moments of brutality, Toha offers acts of resistance – strawberries that continue to grow, roses that bloom among ruins, the comforting smell of homemade coffee, and an unwavering determination to survive.

～

Worth streaming (shows, podcasts, & movies worth your time): 3 Body Problem on Netflix

A thought-provoking new sci-fi series that lives up to the hype (episode 01 starts slow, but stick with it — it’s worth it) 🛸

Across continents and decades, a group of brilliant physicists (who are also friends and will-they-won’t-they lovers) make earth-shattering discoveries as the laws of science unravel and an existential threat emerges. It swirls with questions of humanity, loyalty, survival, and the balance between individual sacrifice and the greater good.

～

Worth knowing

On Monday, April 8th, the sky will go dark as the moon lines up directly with the sun. This total solar eclipse - the first one since 2017 - will span for almost four and a half minutes, making the day become night for its duration. Learn more about the eclipse, and how to safely observe it, here.

‍🩹 New report finds cancer-causing chemicals in Band-Aids. Read more about the report in this article, and find better-for-you alternatives here.

Low intensity earthquakes are shaking northwestern Canada, causing major geological shifts and maybe even creating a new ocean crust.

🦹‍♀️ Real life superheroes? Scientists say that through genetics or training, humans can develop extraordinary abilities. More here.

until next time…

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Nothing we share is intended to be professional financial or legal advice, nor is it intended as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.  

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