If you aren’t ready to read this until after Labor Day, I completely understand.

However, for those of us already foaming at the mouth for summer to pass the torch to its gingham-wearing friend, please consider this post symbolic of me planting the pumpkin seed that fall is HERE.

Lately, in an effort to find moments of joy during a difficult time for my family, I’ve been latching onto the word and world of whimsy.

For me, whimsy looks like sprinkles and candy on an ice cream cone, taking a walk on the beach, or going to get sandwiches with my sister and niece on a Wednesday. It’s mini adventures, big laughs, and taking a break from the mundane to do something giggly, good, or joyful.

If I’m being honest, I think whimsy has almost become a more approachable way for me to claim joy in my life. I’ve become so comfortable being uncomfortable — we’re taught that adulting is supposed to be hard, right? — that joy can sometimes feel almost forbidden. What do you mean, I can use my free will to take a break for me? But whimsy has given me an entry point, a bedazzled door, if you will, to create small, simple experiences with the sole purpose of feeling good.

I’ve listened to enough podcasts to know that moments of awe are a huge part of creating a more joyful lived experience. So this season I want to be intentional about incorporating more whimsy. More joy. More awe.

And I don’t think I’m alone in that.

To hold myself accountable to my whimsy goals, I decided to create a formal structure for the season. Nothing says recovering overachiever like a fun tracker 😂.

The goal is to create a seasonal menu that I can look to whenever I have a taste for something, without feeling any pressure to eat every dish, if you will.

My list is more than a roundup of fall activities. Yes, those are included, but I’m thinking of it as a map to the emotional destination I’d like to find myself in December. Feeling more present, less rushed. Regulated not regretful. Filled to the brim with apple cider donuts.

The mission, should you choose to accept it, is to create your own Fall Whimsy Bucket List. Below, you’ll find mine along with the process that I used to create it. Feel free to beg, borrow, and steal anything from mine — and use the process to create your own!

THE PROCESS

To create my Fall Whimsy Bucket List, I went through the below steps:

1. FEELINGS: First, I thought about what I want to feel this season. For me, the highlights are joy, coziness, softness, and a little novelty!

2. EXPERIENCES: Next, I thought about what kinds of experiences I want to look back on at the end of the season. Right now, travel isn’t a huge priority for me. I’m looking to curate more micro moments vs. big events. I want to encourage myself to be social and also make time for moments of solitude.

3. CATEGORIES: I broke the list down into different categories so I can try to spread things out. Whimsy essentially = treat culture for me personally, but I also didn’t want to make this an eating contest. My hope is that even if I don’t complete everything on the list, I’ll still see a relatively balanced distribution across the categories. And if there isn’t, that will be helpful information for me as I go into the next season.

4. ITEMS: Once I outlined all the categories I started filling in things that excite me to think about. Since the goal is to keep this all season long, some items are one-offs; others have a couple installments [aka multiple donuts]. Again, this is meant to be fun, so I tried not to make it feel like an ultra-permanent document. The point is not to make a life itinerary for the next three months, but to make a wish list of fun things to do, see, and experience. Since I’m looking for a mix of social and solo, I thought of a lot of things that could be fun with or without a companion.

5. VISUALS: I respond well to visuals and like when I can easily reference something in front of me — makes me less likely to forget about it! I wanted to be able to look at my list so once I finished, I delivered it to my old pal Chat [I’m sorry to bring AI into this sphere, I just didn’t have it in me to make my own graphic this time around]. And it turned out SO cute 🥹. In case you want to do the same, I pasted in my complete list and asked, “Can you please make a visual representation of my Fall Whimsy Bucket List?” If you’re feeling crafty, you could also turn this into a real-life art project. Or if the list-making itself feels sufficient, just print it on paper or keep it super 2026 as a list in your phone!

Without further ado, here she is!!

What I love about lists like these is they can be so personal. Yours might look completely different from mine and yield the same level of whimsy. Who knows? My friends in LA may put eating a pumpkin loaf on the beach in November!

My hope is that we can all use this exercise to have a slightly more whimsical fall than we might have otherwise. The whole point is to create an experience, not another piece of wallpaper or a list for you to read [no offense!].

Which is why I’m making a promise that before the official start of winter, I’ll do another post recapping what went down with the Fall Whimsy Bucket List.

I invite you to do the same! What’s one thing you’re putting on your Fall Whimsy Bucket List? Share in a comment below 🍂🍁.

Leave a comment

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Bright Light Weekly - start your week on a bright foot!

• 8/31 - Fall Switch = ON 🍂

• 8/24 - A Little Restraint, A Lot of Zucchini Bread

Bright Light Essays

• What My Jealousy Was Trying to Tell Me

• What I’ve Learned During My First Year on Substack

• Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — it’ll help other bright lights find this piece 💛

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

Good morning, and happy Monday! Happy first real fall is officially coming Monday!

There’s something about this time of year, particularly as a former fall athlete, that feels so nostalgic. The crispness in the air that signals preseason is over and the regular season is about to begin.

And for many — even if you’re not playing organized sports anymore — a new regular season is on its way with back-to-school, the end of Summer Fridays, etc. My niece starts second grade this week(!), my teacher friends are back in full swing, and all around it just feels like a time to reset.

I prefer fall over New Year’s honestly. There’s more momentum to be gained with the runway leading up to the end of the year.

So this week I’m channeling reset energy. I toggle between being a summer vs. fall person and my fall switch is officially on!

With that, let’s see what the old phalanges have typed for us today. Here is today’s dose of bright light energy to start your week✨

MY CATERPILLAR SIGHTING

It felt a bit symbolic that I went on a walk this weekend and saw a caterpillar crawling across the path! It was a BIG BOY (as you can see) so it quite literally stopped me in my tracks.

Lately, I’ve been alternating between expanding and contracting. When I creep into the contract phase, I try to weave in a few small things to keep me from getting too settled in my comfort zone.

This walk — with someone new, on a new path — felt like the perfect way to practice that. So it didn’t feel like a coincidence that this was the insect I came across.

Now of course, I immediately wanted to draw a butterfly connection — when is my glow up coming? But I couldn’t help but ask my AI assistant to identify my fat furry friend and it appears he is actually moth-bound — less sexy, I know.

But, according to Chat, his large size shows that he — lol not me making the caterpillar a boy — was likely on his literal way to transform.

So that I will claim as a symbol for all of us. Let’s channel the caterpillar and prepare for our fall transformations.

Whether that means something bigger for you right now, (a job change, new school year or move) or something less plate-shifting (introducing a new schedule or a new mindset), I highly recommend using this time to take stock of where you are and think about what you want this season to bring.

THREE THINGS - 1️⃣ 2️⃣ 3️⃣

In the spirit of fresh starts and new routines, I wanted to share a tool that’s been helping me lately.

After a draining and scattered Monday last week, I ended the day feeling exhausted, incapable, and defeated. Luckily, by now, I know that’s a signal that I need rest so first and foremost, I went to bed at 8:15pm lol.

I woke up early on Tuesday morning and decided I wanted a fresh start. I put on real clothes to help create a different experience for myself.

Since I was coming off of feeling like I couldn’t accomplish anything, I told myself I just needed to do three things. My ongoing to-do list was way longer than three things, yes, but I told myself I would feel better if I just got through three.

That day, I was able to get those three things done. And by Wednesday, I started to get extra credit by expanding the list. It helped me boost morale, build confidence, and start to feel more like myself.

I’ve adopted this as my new tactic to help manage overwhelm, and it’s been really helping!

So before you go off to your day, if you’re feeling a bit like the Tasmanian Devil yourself - try thinking of three things that will make you feel satisfied if you accomplish them today!

THIS WEEK’S CAMERA ROLL

This week’s highlights included a repeat chicken salad sandwich — this time on sourdough — rail trail walks, and breathwork outings.

Here are a few visual reminders both for me — and hopefully for you — to take in the small moments and snap some photos along the way!

ICYMI: LAST WEEK’S ESSAY

I’ve been trying to gently, supportively, nudge myself to publish a second piece each week after this newsletter. It’s a practice to help find my voice and get a feel for what I enjoy writing, what people enjoy reading, all that good stuff.

Lately though, I’ve been coming up with what feels like an awesome idea and then spending half the week talking myself out of it. To give myself a mini goal, I said I’d publish one additional piece each week from now through the end of September.

This week’s came late, but it came!

If you haven’t read it yet, I wrote about a memory from a less-than-healthy work environment and how I see it 10 years later. If you’re also in a re-evaluating your life up-until-now era, I’d love for you to take a read and let me know what you think!

Saturday morning me was SO bold attaching this 10-year-old picture to it. The glasses, the stare, the eye liner — oh my!

WHAT I’M WATCHING 📺

I needed to take a moment to share about the show FURIOUS on Hulu — again.

This show is phenomenal and I don’t think enough people are talking about it.

The season finale launches tonight so if you’re coming off of a summer of outside and looking for something to watch, pleaseeeeee add this one to your list!

WHAT I LISTENED TO THIS WEEK 🎧

Here are my top two podcast episodes I listened to last week:

• Love Trapped: Waiting for the Truth I can’t remember if I shared already but I dove deep into this podcast earlier this summer on a road trip. It’s a now 16-episode series retelling the saga between former Bachelor Clayton Echard and a woman who claimed he got her pregnant. It’s all still ongoing and a new episode posted this week based on recent developments so now is a GREAT time to catch up!

• Aspire with Emma Grede: Jennifer Garner on What Only Time Can Teach You If I didn’t want to be Jennifer Garner’s best friend before listening to this episode, I certainly do now!! And more than that, I loved learning more about her multi-hyphenate career and how her involvement in Once Upon a Farm began in her mid-forties! I also feel like I need to go back and watch Alias now!

What am I missing? If there are any awesome podcasts I don’t listen to, I’d love your recommendations to share with the team! I love self-help/motivation, business/aspirational, yappy fun ones, and apparently true crime!

Leave a comment

LAST WEEK’S QUOTE 💫

In case you could use this too, here’s another goodie :)

RECENT BRIGHT SPOTS ☀️

This week was a roller coaster in many ways, but as with most weeks, I believe we can always find some positive moments to hold onto.

Below are a few of mine!

• The chicken salad sandwich on sourdough of my dreams

• Trying out a new (to me) running trail, even if the run itself felt like garbagio

• Hitting my Tuesday HYROX class —> one hour walk pipeline

• Attending the most amazing Hozier themed breathwork class

• Restocking my CorePower supply #protein [it’s the little things]

✨ Your Turn: This is when I invite you to take a minute or two to revisit your recent photos and think of (or write down) 3-10 bright spots from last week. It’s a great way to start your week on a bright foot. 💛

CLAIM + MANIFEST ✨

Now let’s take a minute or two for the practice inspired by this Instagram video.

Each week, we claim three things we’re in control of, and identify three things that we’d love the universe to help us out with.

In case it inspires you to do your own, here are mine for this week:

• Three things I’m in control of:

  • Getting back on my water game - hydration nation here I come!

  • Eating vegetables! I have been eating a lot of beige lately (oops!), so this is me saying I’d love to incorporate a bit more greenery this week.

  • Keeping my practice of “three things” going

• Three things I’m manifesting:

  • Eating a cinnamon roll — this is probably more in my control, but I’d love the universe to help me get this one across the finish line, if you will

  • Sunny mornings for my walks

  • A little relief and some awesome news

💫 Your Turn: I can’t recommend this practice enough. Take a minute or two to think of your own, and send me a message with what you claimed!

With that, I hope you have a great rest of your day and a bright week ahead!

Be it, beam it,

Olivia

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Latest Bright Light Essays

• NEW: Are You…. sleeping?

• What My Jealousy Was Trying to Tell Me

• What I’ve Learned During My First Year on Substack

• What My Couch Was Carrying

• Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

Lists, Guides, and Rituals

• The Moving Ritual I Didn’t Know I Needed

• Four Limiting Beliefs I’m Unlearning This Spring

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece💛

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

  Thanks for reading Bright Light Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

I can see the grey couch she was sitting on.

I sat perched at my desk in the office I shared with our boss. She’d come in from her spot in the bullpen.

I can’t remember which office we were in, or who our boss was at the time. Our teams and seating chart changed often. As though playing musical chairs with staff members was the key to better ratings in the 25-54 demo.

We were helping to produce a new lifestyle talk show. There’s something wildly ironic about working until 3am on segments like how to make a keepsake using your iPhone photos. Something so unsettling about the contrast between the beaming hosts on stage vs. the staff hunched over their desks eating last night’s Panda Express.

I’m 26, I think. Maybe 25. This is my first time in any kind of managerial role, if you can even call it that. I was on a production team of three — Producer, Associate Producer, and a Production Assistant — and this was my first time anywhere but the bottom of the totem pole.

Imposter syndrome thrashed through my veins. Partially due to my own insecurity. Partially because I could sense my coworkers doubted me. The beginning of production felt like the first days of field hockey tryouts. Everyone politely sizing each other up, humbly sharing their stats — or in this case, resume highlights.

When I shared my spiel — how this was my first role at this level, that I was one of the boss’s hires from New York — I swear I saw raised brows. Could’ve been my imagination. Could’ve been a bit of both.

I was stressed, impressionable, and had something to prove. Things moved fast. And changed often. We worked late — like really late. Most of the time.

The way I was learning to be a “boss” was to be strict and stern.

That’s what was modeled.

Be quick. Be sharp. Be hard.

So we’re in my shared office. Our team’s office.

Back in those days we did a lot of what is now called “body doubling” — working in the same room with other people while completing totally different tasks.

I can’t remember what we were working on, or how far into the episode we were. But as with everything, it felt mission critical at the time — for this show that lasted one season and no one has thought about since.

Then I looked up and saw her, slouched on the couch with her eyes closed.

Are you… sleeping? I asked.

Now, I can’t remember exactly what I said. It was ten years ago. But I know it was not Oh my gosh are you okay? Do you need to get some rest?

I believe I suggested she go make herself some coffee, and she obliged.

I don’t remember much about this interaction. But I can feel the bite in my tone.

I saw no scenario where being tired was allowed.

Like me, she was probably overworked and exhausted. But in that moment, she was unable to hide it.

And that made me, mad.

The rules, as I’d learned them, were:

1. Work comes first.

2. You must deliver.

3. When in doubt, figure it out.

4. Making a mistake = getting yelled at. Or even fired.

5. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. But everyone is annoyed by the squeaky wheel so better to just keep your mouth shut and get your sh*t done.

To follow the rules, I adapted.

Less sleep. More coffee.

More work. Less exercise.

My well-being slipped further and further down the priority list.

So closing her eyes — what I saw as taking an involuntary break — symbolized a violation of the rules.

It represented something forbidden.

Not being a machine.

At the end of our time working together, she wrote me a thank you note that I’ve kept for over a decade.

It’s on a small piece of purple paper with scalloped edges.

Olivia,

I’ll keep this short since I know Olivia has a limited tolerance for emotional shit. In all the jobs I have had, I never had someone take me under their wing in the way that you did. Your brutal honesty and refusal to accept anything less than perfect challenged me to always be at my best. At times it was frustrating but I know that you have toughened my skin and shown me what “hard work” really means.

Let’s get brunch soon!

Love you, mean it

[name]

The bold is because she double-underlined the word brutal.

When I first received the note I remember thinking, eek, a bit back-handed.

A compliment sandwich that left a weird taste in my mouth.

I showed a few friends hoping they’d tell me I wasn’t as harsh as the note made me sound.

And yet, it was also a mirror of the exact type of leader I was trying to become. So although I read it as brutally honest, I didn’t feel the same emotional twinge then that I do today.

In 2026 when I read I know Olivia has a limited tolerance for emotional shit I almost laugh.

If you’ve read this blog or know me well, you know that now, I have the most time and tolerance for emotional sh*t.

The deeper or more vulnerable, the better.

I can’t say I’ve shed every ounce of that version of me. She still rears her ugly head every now and again. The difference is, now I recognize it and course-correct.

I’m no longer trying to be someone who toughened someone’s skin, or refused to accept anything less than perfect.

Someone who challenges and mentors, yes. Someone who grits their teeth at the first sign of humanity, no.

When I look back now, I see someone playing the part of who she thought she was supposed to be, while losing sight of who she actually was.

I no longer believe that the only way to prove you’re competent is to do something fast. That the only way to lead is through fear. That the only way to be a boss is to be hard.

It took me until recently to learn that just because something’s modeled, doesn’t mean it’s right. My coach often reminds me:

Adapting to an unhealthy environment is not a sign of health.

I left production for many reasons. The work was unpredictable. A little unstable.

But most importantly, my brain and body became conditioned to believe to produce was to grind.

To grind was to be miserable.

To be miserable was to transform into a version of myself I did not like.

I’ve been wondering what made me recall this moment now.

Maybe because I’ve been evaluating what kind of leader I want to be and how I want to show up in spaces, work-related or otherwise.

Maybe because I’ve been thinking about my past to help me build my future.

A year or two ago, after I’d moved back home and pivoted fields, a friend asked me if I thought my entertainment career would’ve gone differently if I’d shown up as this version of myself. The version who considers her own needs, prioritizes rest, and is slowly but surely training herself to adopt the philosophy “work smarter, not harder.”

I disregarded the question in the moment. The door was slammed shut for me. Wrong place. Not a fit. The rules don’t support this version of me.

But with time, space, and a refreshed energy to express myself more publicly, I find myself getting curious again. Have the rules changed, as I have?

Is there a world where I can create and not be miserable? Where rest is allowed.

Hopefully, I’ll find out.

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Bright Light Essays

• NEW: What My Jealousy Was Trying to Tell Me

• What I’ve Learned During My First Year on Substack

• What My Couch Was Carrying

• Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

Lists, Guides, and Rituals

• The Moving Ritual I Didn’t Know I Needed

• Four Limiting Beliefs I’m Unlearning This Spring

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — it’ll help other bright lights find this piece 💛

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

  Thanks for reading Bright Light Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

What a week, what a week, what an emotionally tumultuous week 😂 But in the best of news, I think I’m finally learning how to take care of myself in those moments, which for me, is worth celebrating.

If you’re based on the East Coast you may also be feeling fall on the horizon 🍂. I just had the visual as though fall is blowing gently on your neck. À la “cool breeze, tight squeeze, now you’ve got the shiveries.” Anyone else go to camp, or have I lost you?

Anyway, the current weather has me feeling cozy, a little witchy, and just all-around ready for the new season upon us.

With that, let’s see what today’s typed yap session has in store for us. And so begins today’s dose of bright light energy to start your week✨

RESTRAINT IS MY NEW PUSH

This week I had some big family things going on — one being that my mom had surgery. In good news, she’s a brave champion and recovering well 💗. Almost too well, if you will — in case anyone else’s mom is determined to take care of everyone else. Without overstepping, I am trying to remind her she is allowed to rest too.

My sister and I have been talking a lot about this summer and how much we want to share what our family has been going through. Always with the hope that sharing can help others. For now, we’re celebrating that our mom is so brave and at home recovering.

As much as I wanted to put on my own brave, supportive face, knowing she was having surgery had my nervous system on high alert.

I woke up the day of her surgery with a huge pit in my chest. Heart palpitations the second I opened my eyes — my anxiety loves to make her presence known whenever she visits.

I had a speed workout on my training plan for the morning. But the second I felt my heart beating that way, I knew it wasn’t the move. I’ve learned that matching that kind of anxiety with speed isn’t always a good mix for me. So I spent about 30 minutes toggling between eyes open and eyes closed before I finally committed to closing them. Instead of racing out of bed [let’s be real, I slept the whole night on the couch… my comfort blanket] I slept in and rested.

Sometimes I forget that emotions take up our energy too.

If you’re like me, you’ve spent a long time pushing. I’ve pushed past inconvenience, discomfort, and pain more times than I can count.

The “can I?” is rarely the question. Where I struggle is “should I?”

Sometimes, the answer is movement is medicine. Other times, it’s just not.

That’s what I decided in this case. While my sister took our mom to her procedure, I baked multiple loaves of zucchini bread instead — I will gladly share the recipe.

I’m proud of myself for listening to what my body needed: restraint. Sometimes that is the “push.” Overcoming the urge to follow the plan, just for the sake of following the plan.

I don’t have blanket rules anymore. So I won’t say this is the roadmap for every spell of anxiety. But I know that this is what I needed in this instance, so I’m glad I trusted my instincts and I hope you feel empowered to do the same.

THIS WEEK’S CAMERA ROLL

I can’t believe I made it this far without mentioning that my sister and I also went to The R&B tour this week! Safe to say my 17-year-old self was glowing at hearing my favorite song With You.

This is your sign to go to a concert with your sister!

MY ZUCCHINI BREAD RECIPE 👩🏽‍🍳

Had some fun making this graphic with my pal in baking, chef Chat.

PODCAST REC 🎧

I love Amy Poehler. I love Keke Palmer. This was a fantastic episode. Please go listen, your mood will instantly rise like my zucchini bread.

NUULY FAVES 📫 👚👗

I have been a NUULY stan for over a year now. I live for the noncommittal nature of it. The ability to try out new brands. Getting a special delivery every month!

It meets me where I am as someone who obsessively wears something new four thousand times and then completely forgets about it. With NUULY, I can wear the sh*t out of something and send it back.

I’ve encountered some swings and misses, and also some items I decide to keep. This week I’m introducing a highlight of some of the items I’m debating keeping.

I’d love your help — LMK if you can help sway my wallet one way or the other!

Links:

• Jeans: I’ve been wearing these nonstop. They are SUPER comfy and versatile. And just the right length for me!!! I’m 5’8ish.

• Sweater: I put this on for the first time today and feel like I may never take it off?

💎 Perk: Also, no pressure, but if you’ve been wanting to try NUULY and would like $30 off your first month, feel free to use this link. In return, I’ll get $10 off my next month too! It’s giving win, win.

LAST WEEK’S QUOTE 💫

Our latest inspiration comes from another one of my heroes, Hoda Kotb!

RECENT BRIGHT SPOTS ☀️

My weekly reminder [and hopefully yours too] that we can train our brains to notice the good!

Here are a few of my bright spots from last week:

• Singing my heart out and getting to be my sister’s guest at the Usher & Chris Brown concert on Monday

• Getting ice cream with my niece on Wednesday

• Discovering my new favorite post-run camera angle

• Finding my zucchini bread rhythm

• Getting to squeeze a pal I haven’t seen in far too long

• Uniting with two new pairs of running sneakers 😍

• Another dear pal bringing over stunning bouquets 🌺🌼🌷

✨ Your Turn: If you haven’t tried yet, can I tempt you this week? Take a minute or two to scroll through your recent photos and think of (or write down) 3-10 bright spots from your week. 💛

CLAIM + MANIFEST ✨

Here we are again! Time to take a minute or two for the practice inspired by this Instagram video.

Every week, we claim three things we’re in control of, and identify three things that we’d love the universe to help us out with.

Here are mine for this week:

• Three things I’m in control of:

  • Publishing another essay - reminding myself nothing needs to be perfect!

  • Continuing to choose rest when I need it, and movement when that’s the move

  • Starting to brainstorm my fall bucket list

• Three things I’m manifesting:

  • A really positive, exciting surprise

  • Sunny mornings

  • News of a new show that excites me

💫 Your Turn: I can’t recommend this practice enough. Take a minute or two to think of your own, and feel free to message me!

With that, I hope you have a delightful rest of your day and a bright week ahead!

Feel free to take what you need, and leave the rest!

Be it, beam it,

Olivia

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Latest Bright Light Essays

• NEW: What My Jealousy Was Trying to Tell Me

• What I’ve Learned During My First Year on Substack

• What My Couch Was Carrying

• Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

Lists, Guides, and Rituals

• The Moving Ritual I Didn’t Know I Needed

• Four Limiting Beliefs I’m Unlearning This Spring

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece💛

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

  Thanks for reading Bright Light Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

February 19, 2025.

I was sitting in the cozy back corner of the Tatte in Newton Center. Light came in from the big windows in the not-so-local coffee shop. I remember getting a parking ticket for staying in the lot too long. I know I ordered food, but I can’t remember what. A drink too, maybe a matcha. I’d picked a seat nestled in the back for a few hours of what I call computer time. Aka independent work at a coffee shop. Sounds more fun than work, right?

This was roughly six months before I published anything on Substack. I wish I could say I was playing around with writing at the time, but I don’t think that’s a fair description. I hadn’t reached a point of play. I was very much in my head. Focused on finding a way to shove time for creativity into my work schedule.

I had an abandoned Word doc here, a half-written list in my notes app there…

I was doing a lot of talking about writing in my coaching sessions. What it could be for me one day. But I kept getting tripped up before I could really start anything.

As one does, I took a break from my work — earlier than I probably should have by productivity standards — and started scrolling. As I thumbed down my phone, I came across something that gave me a vivid, visceral feeling. An Instagram post celebrating a creator whose book was being turned into a TV show. By one of the hottest producing duos in the business.

That visceral feeling was an unmistakable jolt of jealousy.

The intensity startled me, and just as quickly as the emotion came, so did the realization: I must want something like that too.

But at 34 — at the time — how did I not know that about myself yet?

And then it hit me: I’d never asked myself the question.

As a kid, I was semi-addicted to TV. My parents established a “no TV during the week” rule so I’d focus on school, or something. That rule made every minute I watched precious. “Five more minutes” became my most quoted phrase. The love of Arthur, Barney, and Sesame Street grew to Sister, Sister, Smart Guy, Boy Meets World, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch — let’s be real, the whole TGIF lineup. I’d change the channel to Nick @ Nite here and there to catch up on classics like I Love Lucy, Bewitched, and I Dream of Jeannie.

Fast-forward, and my favorite classes in college were about the history of pop culture, watching and analyzing television. I wrote one spec script of How I Met Your Mother junior year and went on to write my senior thesis on the history of people of mixed race on American television.

And then I got a job in talk show production. Early on I developed an impression of myself: I’m a creative person, but I’m not the most creative. I’m a good writer, but I’m not the best writer. And those labels laid the foundation for what I pursued instead — a career adjacent to the thing, but never doing it. A resume built on what I’d already done, which ended up depleting me to the point of implosion.

Until recently, I don’t think I’d really considered if I wanted to pursue something else. If I might’ve been meant to do anything else.

I just assumed I wouldn’t be good enough at it.

But that visceral jealousy coursing through me helped me realize something. I want to create. I want my words to resonate with people. I want my work to live in pop culture in some way. Not to promote or contribute to someone else’s work. But to create something that’s mine.

I’ll go so far as to say that I want to create something that gets turned into a TV show. This is me claiming it ✨

Now, I left LA three years ago and I love being in Boston. I feel aligned being close to my family and working in fitness now. This isn’t to say I’m applying to film school tomorrow. But it’s cracked open a mental door. In addition to showing me something I want for myself, this creator also showed me a different path to doing it.

She wrote a book that’s being adapted into a show. That’s very different than the trajectory I ruled myself out of years ago. It’s a path I hadn’t even considered.

This mundane moment gave me so much information. An unexpected revelation about my biggest hopes and dreams, yes. And also a crash course in the value and complexity of jealousy.

I’d always considered jealousy to be a negative emotion. I’d absorbed a binary way of thinking that said if you’re jealous, that’s bad. “We don’t feel jealous, Olivia. We’re a supportive girls’ girl,” “Wanting something someone else has is bad,” or “We don’t surround ourselves with jealous people.”

When I felt jealousy coming on, I’d either suppress it, explain it away, or explain it away and then suppress it.

Until Mel Robbins introduced me to a whole new way of looking at jealousy in one of her podcasts. She explained that jealousy can provide invaluable information about what you want for yourself.

Here it is if you want to listen:

So on this February afternoon, I experienced what Mel was talking about for the first time and it all clicked. I noticed that in addition to feeling jealous of this creator, I simultaneously felt respect, admiration, and joy for her.

She had earned it.

In that moment I realized I can want something someone else has and still want them to have it too!

Jealousy paired with immaturity, pettiness, or putting someone else down becomes problematic. Feeling the emotion internally and still showing support for your friends, coworkers, or a stranger on the internet… that I see no problem with. Only information.

Once I experienced that duality for myself, it unlocked a new capacity to receive what jealousy has been trying to give me all along: direction. Now, when I feel that familiar gut punch, I take a minute to observe what might be causing it — financial abundance, a boyfriend, a house, a baby — and clock that the response is pointing to something I probably want for myself.

I also learned that what doesn’t make me jealous is almost as valuable as what does. I see plenty of accolades online that mean jack sh*t to me. Go off, queen, with your white coat ceremony. No twinge of yearning when that crosses my feed. No desire to put anyone through the threat to society that would be me trying to make my way in medicine.

So what did I do next? Nothing earth-shattering. But that revelation planted a seed that I’m continuing to water.

I eventually started this blog. I eventually started telling people about this blog. And most importantly, I started envisioning what a creative future might look like.

Take this essay, for instance. It may not be my Lightning Lane to published work, but I believe every piece of writing gets me one step closer to uncovering what this craft is meant to be for me.

And I don’t know if I’d be showing up in this way if it weren’t for that unmistakable burst of jealousy.

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Latest Bright Light Essays

• What I've Learned During My First Year on Substack

• What My Couch Was Carrying

• Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

• I got stood up

• A Letter to Myself the Day I Stopped Drinking

Lists, Guides, and Rituals

• The Moving Ritual I Didn’t Know I Needed

• Four Limiting Beliefs I’m Unlearning This Spring

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — it’ll help other bright lights find this piece 💛

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

If you’re like me you are welcoming the fall-feeling air with open arms as we cruise towards the end of summer.

Last night I went on an evening run and the temp was 10/10. Perfect, no notes. If only we could live in the 6pm summer-night-cool-down temperature year-round.

I’m coming off of a bit of a draining weekend so this week’s installment may be a little shorter than usual. But in GREAT news, I have an essay in the works to share later this week that I’m excited about!

But…and… I’m realizing there’s always something bright to highlight to start our Monday. So let’s dive into today’s dose of bright light energy to start your week✨

MY BIRTHDAY SURPRISE 🎈

She’s 36 and still beaming after the best birthday surprise. She is me :)

I had such a wonderful birthday last week. I felt so loved and appreciated by my people near and far. The highlight was that my sister — the kind, thoughtful human she is — planned an overnight trip for us and my niece.

We called it a girls’ trip 🥹.

They knew where we were going and I did NOT.

Watching my seven-year-old niece get so excited and keep the surprise — to her credit — was so fun. I was giddy leading up to the reveal.

My family was supposed to go on a bigger vacation last week to celebrate my mom’s 75th birthday and my sister’s 40th. I was going to benefit because the week we chose happened to also fall on my birthday. But the Universe had other plans this summer so we postponed the trip. To help bring some sparkle back to the week my sister curated the most beautiful surprise.

We drove about two hours north to Maine, a place none of us have spent much time, and discovered what the hype is all about. We saw stunning ocean views, ate as much lobster as our stomachs could handle, and enjoyed the backdrop of our gorgeous hotel.

Waking up to start the new year in this breathtaking environment was the cherry on top. I spent a few minutes that morning journaling and manifesting some of the things I want for the next 365.

We drove back that afternoon and I was able to get a run in and celebrate with my family over dinner and cake. Cake is my thing. I am very particular. I’m usually a frosting snob and go for American buttercream, but I went out of my comfort zone and picked a vanilla and chocolate cake with vanilla Italian buttercream — a little less sweet — and chocolate ganache. The combo absolutely did the trick. For any friends in the Greater Boston area, I highly recommend Quebrada.

And if you or someone you love has a birthday coming up, I highly recommend planning this kind of overnight. It was so lovely. I hope to pay it forward.

I’m excited for what’s ahead this year. I can feel the foundation building I’ve been doing over the last few years paying off and I’m excited to start expanding.

PODCAST REC 🎧

This week’s long run listen was brought to me by the Foster sisters! This is a great listen for anyone on a nonlinear career path, who has a sister, or both!

Coming off of a lovely trip with my own sister, I couldn’t help but recognize some similarities in their dynamic and how they banter. Manifesting we create a few other similarities for ourselves.

LAST WEEK’S QUOTE 💫

Our latest inspiration comes from . These always post right when I need them!

This quote is resonating a little extra right now. Let’s just keep on doing our best. One foot in front of the other.

RECENT BRIGHT SPOTS ☀️

Even though the end of last week was bumpy, there were plenty of bright spots along the way. Here are some I haven’t even touched on yet:

• Trying my first dot cake

• Making my dad’s infamous pickles with the cucumbers from my parents’ garden

• Making zucchini bread out of the massive zucchinis from my parents’ garden

• Morning cuddles with my niece

• Movie nights with my sister and niece in our hotel robes

✨ Your Turn: I swear writing these down every week is changing how my brain works! The rest of your week will thank you. Take a minute or two to scroll through your recent photos and think of (or write down) 3-10 bright spots from your week. 💛

CLAIM + MANIFEST ✨

Here we are again! Time to take a minute or two for the practice inspired by this Instagram video.

Every week, we claim three things we’re in control of, and identify three things that we’d love the universe to help us out with.

Here are mine for this week:

• Three things I’m in control of:

  • Getting in bed before 10pm at least 3 nights this week

  • Strength training at least twice this week

  • Publishing my first August essay

• Three things I’m manifesting:

  • Good news

  • A new show falling into my lap

  • New friends finding my Substack

💫 Your Turn: I can’t recommend this practice enough. Take a minute or two to think of your own, and feel free to message me!

With that, I hope you have an awesome rest of your day and a bright week ahead!

Here’s to another year of channeling our brightest selves together.

Be it, beam it,

Olivia

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Latest Bright Light Essays

• NEW: What I’ve Learned During My First Year on Substack

• What My Couch Was Carrying

• Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

• I got stood up

• A Letter to Myself the Day I Stopped Drinking

Lists, Guides, and Rituals

• The Moving Ritual I Didn’t Know I Needed

• Four Limiting Beliefs I’m Unlearning This Spring

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece💛

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

  Thanks for reading Bright Light Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

It’s officially been one year since I pressed publish for the first time on this platform. I wanted to take a moment to give myself a brief pat on the back for finally taking that idea in my head and turning it into a living, breathing thing.

But most importantly, I want to thank you for taking the time to read, heart, and subscribe to it. Every time you open up a new Bright Light Weekly or essay, you give this platform purpose.

As an undeniably sappy and self-reflective person, I wanted to celebrate in the best way I know how: a good old-fashioned vulnerable share.

Here are some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since launching this creative outlet:

#1 - JUST START

I thought about writing for years before starting this Substack. Every time I thought about it, my mind raced around like Sonic the Hedgehog. What do I want to write? A book? Essays? Maybe a blog? Do I want to post on Instagram instead?

Every question led to a new one, and no answer.

Which led to zero writing.

Coming off of a career working for various three-letter acronyms… Not those, these: ABC, NBC, etc. I was carrying the idea that I needed to know exactly what I was launching before I started.

Then, I remembered I wasn’t launching a multimillion-dollar project with suit-wearing stakeholders breathing down my neck. My thing didn’t need to be a finished product to hit box office targets or please advertisers.

The writing itself could be part of the journey. The project could show me what it was meant to be. I remembered my why: to create an outlet to help me channel my brightest self and help others do the same.

That was when I finally got out of my own way. I leaned into what I wanted to write in that moment, not five years from then. I started writing that. That’s what got me into publishing a weekly newsletter and eventually sharing personal essays.

Once I removed any pressure that my Substack needed to be perfect, I finally channeled my inner Nike commercial. Just Do It. I just started. Now I’m 62 pieces of writing further along than I would’ve been if I kept trying to solve a puzzle that wasn’t meant to be solved.

#2 - NEW MUSCLES TAKE TIME TO STRENGTHEN

But… and… the past year has not been a linear trajectory.

Once I took the initial plunge and started sharing here, it felt like I was on a writing white-water rafting trip. One day I’d feel super aligned — coming up with ideas with ease, feeling in flow. The next, I’d question if anything I had to say could be of use to anyone!

For every step forward I took with confidence, I’d take one to the side or backwards. And I’d get frustrated with myself. I can get myself to work out when I don’t want to. To do my job when I don’t want to. Why was I letting myself get in my own way here?

Eventually, instead of feeling bad or ashamed, I started to accept that doubt was part of the process. I leaned into the idea of being a beginner again.

I can get myself to do my track workouts because I’ve been training in some capacity since I was about three years old. That’s 33 years of developing discipline around movement. 33 years of seeing how I felt on days when I overslept, skipped the workout, or told myself I didn’t wanna. 33 years of proof that the discomfort was worth the outcome. Worth the feeling on the other side.

But as a writer, I’m starting from the place where I was as a little kid! Back at that first race when I fell and had to learn how to get back up and finish.

So I’ve recognized that the doubt, although frustrating, is part of the journey and the learning process. But I can say I’ve definitely grown since I pushed publish for the first time last year. Slowly but surely I’m building the muscles that can help shorten those writing lapses.

To get me to keep coming back to the starting line. To the page. Again, and again.

#3 - CREATING IS A TWO-WAY STREET

When I created this Substack I had two goals:

1. Create a writing practice that I enjoyed.

2. Share what was helping me with the hope that I might help someone else.

It feels a bit meta, but over the past year I’ve unlocked a third, deeply meaningful goal: pour bright light back into myself.

Showing up on this platform has been a huge part of what keeps my own bright light alive. I’ve been dealing with some heavy things lately and I’ve felt so grateful to have this weekly practice to fall back on. During hard weeks, participating in these weekly rituals with you all has helped me revive my own optimism and positivity.

Returning to Bright Spots, Claim & Manifest, and Last Week’s Camera Roll every week offers me a special opportunity to regroup and reclaim the version of myself I aspire to be: someone who shines bright inside and out.

So it’s funny how this thing that I created has poured back into me in ways I never could have imagined a year ago.

#4 - HAVING SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF IS PRECIOUS

I used to subscribe to the idea that you have one job and that’s where you give all of your energy. Lately, I’ve been opening myself up to the idea that no one thing should define or take all of me. That I deserve to have multiple areas that fill me up. Some might pay me, some might not. Some might not… yet!

Writing has taken the pressure off of my workday being what determined if I had a good day. It’s taken the pressure off my job being my identity.

Having this outlet that’s entirely mine has been such a gift.

It’s given me a new sense of autonomy and ownership. I call the shots. As long as something is of interest to me, it’s on brand. I can write about whatever I want, whenever I want, wherever I want.

I trust that the right people will find me.

If you’re someone who works for someone else, I highly recommend creating something of your own. Instead of just learning the rules of the institution I’m a part of, I get to establish my own rules.

It’s helped me reconnect with my own preferences, opinions, and styles. Writing has helped reconnect me to me.

Which is why whenever I start to drift away from the plot, I come back to my why: channeling my brightest self so I can help others do the same.

#5 - YOU’RE ALLOWED TO CHANGE YOUR MIND

This lesson is essentially the cousin of #1.

Part of what allowed me to take the pressure off and just start was that I gave myself permission to change my mind along the way. The idea that I could write what was speaking to me in the moment, instead of trying to create an umbrella to house every thought I might have for the rest of my life.

When I first started my weekly newsletter I called it “Mindset Monday.” Then I skipped a few weeks. Then I removed the title. Then I renamed it “Bright Light Weekly.” Then I started writing essays. Then I started sharing notes. Then I got tired of writing notes so I stopped. Then I started writing notes again.

If anyone follows Tinx (a content creator and NYT bestselling author), she repeats the motto “strong opinions, loosely held.” I’d like for my Substack to live in the world of loosely held. There are no stakes.

As a person, I change my mind and evolve, so Bright Light Blog can do the same.

#6 - YOUR PERSPECTIVE IS WORTH SHARING

This one has been a big lesson to learn. The biggest muscle I’m strengthening, if you will.

I mentioned having moments when my creative well has felt empty and I couldn’t imagine anyone could find value in what I had to say.

The more I read other Substacks and learn about the creative experience, the more I realize that’s a shared experience. And at the other end of that negative thought loop is the core belief that all of us, including me, can help each other by sharing our stories.

That vulnerability can breed connection and help us all feel less alone. So whether you consider yourself creative or not, please remember that your voice matters, your perspective matters, and when you put something out into the world, the people who are meant to find it will find it.

I certainly feel that way about each of you.

Thank you for reading and shining your light with me. I know we’ve only scratched the surface of what this can become, and I’m so grateful to have you along for this journey.

Here’s to many more Bright Light Birthdays 🎈

Be it, beam it,

Olivia

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Bright Light Weekly

• 8/10: Rain On Me ☔

• 8/3: The Assignment That Changed My Week

• 7/27: Nothing Changed but My Outlook

Bright Light Essays

• What My Couch Was Carrying

• Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

• I got stood up

• A Letter to Myself the Day I Stopped Drinking

Lists, Guides, and Rituals

• The Moving Ritual I Didn’t Know I Needed

• Four Limiting Beliefs I’m Unlearning This Spring

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece 💛

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

  Thanks for reading Bright Light Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

I hope you had a refreshing weekend. Lately, in the Boston area, summer humidity has been popping. Days feel stickier and storms seem more frequent. It’s giving… the weather equivalent of a summer temper tantrum.

Coming off of last week’s mantra of steadiness, I’ve been trying to weather the literal and figurative storms and make the most of the sunshine when it peeks through.

This week begins my week off from work and summer staycation and marks the one-year anniversary of my Substack — it has me in my feels. Whether this is your first newsletter, you’ve read all 50+, or something in between, thank you for being a part of this journey.

By reading what I put into the universe, you give this platform purpose and I am so grateful!

With that, let’s dive into today’s dose of bright light energy to kickstart your week✨

RAIN ON ME ☔

Last week I had one of the most refreshing moments: I got caught in the rain.

It was one of the grey August mornings I was talking about. About 6-8 minutes into my run, it started downpouring. Not SO hard that I couldn’t see or find my footing. Just enough rain to be pretty soaked immediately.

But it was warm out so it felt kind of… energizing! I was already far enough from my starting point that I didn’t want to bag the run. I kept going and chuckled to myself every time it rained even harder. Then with about 15 minutes left, my headphones glitched. Instead of stewing with frustration, I leaned into the sign from the gadgets universe that maybe it was time to unplug.

I spent the last 15 minutes in what felt like an almost meditative flow, listening only to my footsteps and breath. When I got home, instead of running inside to join my first work call of the day, I took two minutes to stand still. Rain washing all the way over me… I just stood. The best part was I wasn’t thinking about anything other than the raindrops sliding down my skin or how the wind was really picking up.

Eventually I took a deep breath, headed inside and started another regular Monday. But I kept coming back to that moment all week because it was the perfect reminder of how easily I can access stillness.

Nature has a beautiful way of slowing us down.

LAST WEEK’S CAMERA ROLL 📸

This assortment of photos has the perfect mix of food, scenery, and me LOL. It’s a smattering of moments from my day off on Tuesday, weekday eats, runs, and pretty walk backdrops.

I can’t get enough of these roundups because they help me stay present and stop me from getting too caught up in the destination.

PODCAST REC 🎧

This week’s podcast highlight was the most recent episode of Good Hang interviewing Lena Waithe. I listened to this one during my 7.5-mile run on Sunday and the miles went by so quickly. I was locked into the conversation!

Although I loved learning about Lena’s career trajectory, style, and the Broadway show she’s producing, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, the below nuggets are what stuck with me most:

• If you’re afraid someone will steal your idea, come up with more ideas: She talked about the idea that no one can really steal your idea. That any artist will bring their own perspective to a concept that will inevitably make it different than your version. She gave the example that if she had written Parks & Rec it wouldn’t have been the same as Amy Poehler’s. I found this idea to be really freeing. As though we don’t need to be too stressed or pressed because what we create will be different from what someone else does based on how we choose to approach it. It was giving creative abundance mindset and I loved it.

• The truth does no harm: She was talking about this in relation to relationships and how vulnerability is a strength. How after therapy she realized how important it is to share your truth with people, partners, etc. — not as a test to see if they stay or go, but to show them who you are and let them make an informed decision on whether or not they want to stay. Again, another way to remove fear and add agency.

There are so many other great moments in this episode, I highly recommend listening!

WHAT I’M WATCHING 📺

Furious

I’m not going to lie, my summer TV game is really strong this year. And I have to give proper credit to my mom, who gets her recommendations from People — she still gets the physical magazine in the mail every week.

Furious is a new psychological thriller. I was telling my friends it falls in one of my preferred buckets — FBI investigates crime — but it’s the elevated storytelling version. I love me some The Rookie Feds but this is most definitely not that.

If you’re looking for something that will make you think, question who to root for, and follow a tangled web to get to the bottom of what really happened — this is for you!

LAST WEEK’S QUOTE 💫

Here’s your weekly reminder to keep doing you <3

RECENT BRIGHT SPOTS ☀️

Even the most “normal” weeks have bright spots; here are a few of mine below:

• My rainy run

• Taking off a random Tuesday from work

• Stumbling upon a delicious lobster roll

• Having a fun video shoot for work

• Trying a delicious chicken salad sandwich

• Hitting my target speeds during my track workout

• Getting a pair of jeans I really like in my NUULY

• Jumping in the pool after a humid 7.5 miles

• Getting ice cream with one of my best friends of 20+ years

✨ Your Turn: I swear writing these down every week puts me in a better mood. This is your invitation to join me. Take a couple minutes to scroll through your recent photos and think of (or write down) 3-10 bright spots from your week. 💛

CLAIM + MANIFEST ✨

It’s that time again! Let’s take a few minutes for the practice inspired by this Instagram video.

Every week, we claim three things we’re in control of, and identify three things that we’d love the universe to give us a hand with.

Here are mine for this week:

• Three things I’m in control of:

  • Resting

  • Sleeping until my body wants to wake up

  • Not feeling like I need to optimize my vacation

• Three things I’m manifesting:

  • Unexpected smiles

  • An exciting new challenge coming my way

  • Feeling silly this week

💫 Your Turn: Take a minute or two to think of your own, and feel free to message me!

With that, I hope you have an awesome rest of your day and a bright week ahead!

Here’s to another year of channeling our brightest selves together.

Be it, beam it,

Olivia

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Latest Bright Light Essays

• What My Couch Was Carrying

• Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

• I got stood up

• A Letter to Myself the Day I Stopped Drinking

Lists, Guides, and Rituals

• The Moving Ritual I Didn’t Know I Needed

• Four Limiting Beliefs I’m Unlearning This Spring

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece💛

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

  Thanks for reading Bright Light Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Specifically, happy first Monday of August! I can't believe we're already heading into the final stretch of summer.

Although I’m tempted to start daydreaming about the structure, routine, and delicious pumpkin treats that I’ve come to associate with fall, I’m going to double down on summermaxxing for a few more weeks.

If you read last week’s newsletter, I am pleased to report that after a week of slowing down, I’m feeling more like my biggest cheerleader than my worst enemy. A helpful reminder that negative self-talk is often temporary and rarely rooted in fact.

With that, I have a few things I’m excited to yap about. Let’s dive into today’s dose of bright light energy ✨

INPUT WEEKS AND SLOWING DOWN

Last week I started off the newsletter naming some of the negative dialogues I’d been having with myself. One of the fastest ways for me to feel better is actually to look those thoughts dead in the eye and name them. Lately, that looks like writing about them publicly.

The second I pressed publish, it was like the grey cloud started to dissolve over my head — it took a lot of power away from those thoughts and gave it back to me, where it belongs!! So if you chose to read last week, consider this an extra thank you — you were a part of helping me feel more like myself this week.

I gave myself an assignment: try to operate on 1% more self-belief and offer myself 1% more self-compassion. And again, claiming that in writing also helped it stick in my brain. It became the mantra, or mission statement that I kept coming back to.

Throughout the week, I kept coming back to that assignment. I tried to focus more on input than output. I’ve spoken about this concept before. Focusing a bit less on what I’m producing and a bit more on what I’m consuming can be another pathway for me to slow down and come back to myself.

That looked like sleeping in on the mornings my body needed it. Waking up early when I felt energized. Reuniting with diamond art. Going to another Source Method breathwork class. Taking a day trip to the beach for a run. Reclaiming my love of hot fudge sundaes.

I know I’m not alone in sometimes wanting to outrun — sometimes for me, quite literally — my thoughts. This reminded me that sometimes sitting with them, naming them, and slowing down all together can be the slingshot you need.

In the spirit of keeping the mantra momentum going, I think mine for this week will be: stay steady. Sometimes, when I start to feel better, my inclination is to put my foot on the gas. This week I want to keep asking myself: What does steadiness look like?

✨ An Invitation: Consider this an invitation to create your own mantra or mission statement for the week. If steadiness resonates with you, we can be twins! Otherwise, pick your own word for the week and see how that feels.

LAST WEEK’S CAMERA ROLL 📸

Looking at these photos, I can’t help but smile.

It was such a gloriously normal week - I’m so glad I captured these moments because they really made the mundane feel so much more magical.

The stuffed croissant at the French pastry shop I went to after a workout this week brought me so much joy. Look at how cuuuuuute 💛

PODCAST REC 🎧

This week I stumbled on a recent episode of On Purpose with Jay Shetty. He interviews actress Simone Ashley [I saw her most recently in The Devil Wears Prada 2] and although they talk about plenty of other stuff - two things stood out to me:

• “Doesn’t see it so complicated to do life with me”: When talking about manifesting a romantic connection she said, “I think it's just finding someone that doesn't see it so complicated to do life with me.” Jay seemed to love that quote—and so did I. It really simplifies what I think a lot of us are looking for — or you may have been lucky enough to find.

• Lonely vs. alone vs. solitude: She also talks about the differences between the words lonely, alone and solitude in a way that really stuck with me. In a time when, at least according to social media, everyone seems to be doing fun stuff with large groups of people I’m guilty of sometimes feeling bad about time I spend alone. But the conversation almost rebranded alone time as solitude — an abundant state of self-fulfillment rather than loneliness. They describe it as a comfortable, quiet experience that fosters personal discovery which offered a perspective I needed in that moment.

Take a listen below if you want to hear the full conversation! Or here if you’re more of an Apple or here if you want to watch on Netflix!

WHAT I’M WATCHING 📺

Ride or Die on Prime Video

Oops! I did it again… I watched an entire series in one weekend while playing a game called “Bus Traffic Fever.”

Yup. Sometimes I really can’t with myself.

This show was somehow a nice mix of action and wholesomeness??

The throughline of female friendship touched my heart and the plot moved just enough to keep me hooked at the end of each episode. If you’re looking for something easy to binge, I’d recommend it!

LAST WEEK’S QUOTE 💫

This quote is literally what got me to write this week’s newsletter.

PREACH Brené!

RECENT BRIGHT SPOTS ☀️

I mentioned a few of them earlier, but in the spirit of continuing the tradition, here are a few bright spots from last week:

• A 6am HYROX workout with my sister — we were cooking on our runs

• Some lovely catch-up chats with friends

• Putting my toes in the water

• Eating the biggest “kiddie” ice cream sundae in history

• Polishing off my Shake Shack lettuce wrapped double shack burger with cheese fries [this is not a no-bun brag, but a strategy to be able to consume the fries without getting too full]

• A speedy Friday long run — and almost bumping into my sister on the street

• Celebrating 12 years of Rev’d Fitness [check us out if you’re ever in Boston, DC, Chicago, Tempe (AZ) or Portland (OR)]

✨ Your Turn: This is becoming one of my favorite parts of this newsletter, and thus my weekly routine. I highly suggest you join me! Take a moment to scroll your camera roll from the last week and think of (or write down) 3-10 bright spots from your week. 💛

CLAIM + MANIFEST ✨

Back again for another weekly ritual! It’s time to take a few minutes for the practice inspired by this Instagram video.

Every week, we claim three things we’re in control of, and identify three things that we’d love the universe to help us out with.

Here are mine for this week:

• Three things I’m in control of:

  • Calling the creative back in [that’s what I call the part of me that writes my essays]

  • Setting myself up for a successful vacation next week

  • Spending more time out in the wild this week

• Three things I’m manifesting:

  • NUULY having some awesome pieces available in my size

  • An unexpected yummy treat coming into my life

  • Feeling inspired

💫 Your Turn: Take a minute or two to do your own, and feel free to message me!

With that, I’ll send you off to the rest of your day. I hope you have a bright week ahead!

Here's to a week of staying steady.

Be it, beam it,

Olivia

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Latest Bright Light Essays

• What My Couch Was Carrying

• Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

• I got stood up

• A Letter to Myself the Day I Stopped Drinking

Lists, Guides, and Rituals

• The Moving Ritual I Didn’t Know I Needed

• Four Limiting Beliefs I’m Unlearning This Spring

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece💛

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

  Thanks for reading Bright Light Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

I hope you had a lovely weekend!

Coming off of last week’s building week I wish I could say all of my woes have been resolved. Every week I’m reminded that Rome wasn’t built in a day, and sometimes things don’t tie themselves in a bow on the same timeline that I publish my newsletter.

But as with every week of self-reflection, I cracked open a new outlook and learned something about myself. Maybe these thoughts mirror something you or someone you know is going through.

With that, let’s dive into another Monday with a dose of bright light energy ✨

A reminder that bright light doesn’t mean things are sparkly all the time — it’s just an attempt to find the creaks of light whenever we can 💛

MY “LOSER” MINDSET

Sometimes I impress myself with the range of mindsets I can experience in a week.

On the one hand, I cared about myself enough to say “yes” to the most magical beach day with friends. We basked in the sun, yapped, ate a perfect menu of beach day treats. Did I mention we went in the ocean? I felt reborn.

But on the other hand, I spent a fair amount of mental energy thinking I’m a total loser. I’m single. I live at home. I’ve gained weight. My life is aimless.

When I’m in this place, I love to take a magnifying glass to my entire being — inside and out — and point out anything negative anyone could possibly think about me and say it to myself first.

Some of those statements are objectively true. I am single. I’m temporarily living with my parents. Other jabs are just things my brain whipped up. Like that my life is aimless or that I’m a loser!

If you could get paid for being mean to yourself, I would be so rich.

There was a time in my life when I would’ve believed those thoughts, reveled in them, and tried to achieve my way through them. Now, when I get into this headspace first I wallow a bit — I’m only human — but then I name them and realize they’re a symptom of something.

Generally?

It’s as simple as: I’m tired.

In coaching this week we talked about how doubt and exhaustion may be working together — it really blew my mind: the idea that a tired brain is more apt to suss out danger rather than possibility.

It’s almost funny how quickly being tired changes the story I tell myself. On days when I’m rested, I feel present in building a meaningful life one step at a time. When I’m depleted, I only see what’s missing or wrong.

Nothing about my circumstances changed — just my outlook.

I know that my mindset “problem” could likely be resolved with adequate rest, yet for some reason I keep allowing myself to get not quite enough.

It comes back to my question last week — why avoid the habits that help you?

For me, the answer is that what’s familiar can feel safer than a potentially “better,” lighter, brighter unknown. And staying tired is a surefire way to stay where I am.

So my goal for myself this week is not to resolve all of my mindset issues in one calendar week but to try to operate on 1% more self-belief.

1% more self-compassion.

And we’ll see how I feel next Monday.

LAST WEEK’S CAMERA ROLL 📸

I didn’t take a ton of pictures of myself in cruel internal dialogue 🤣

But I did capture some amazing beach day moments, ice cream cones, and summer views. I’m telling you, it was a pu pu platter of mindsets.

WHAT I’M WATCHING 📺

#1 LUCKY

One positive part of spending the summer at home as an adult — I’m getting to spend quality time with my parents at a time when it feels really precious.

My mom and I have gotten into a routine of watching shows together again. We finished The Five Star Weekend and have since shifted gears to Lucky on Apple TV+.

It’s giving the TV version of a heist movie with a female protagonist, which we love. Just enough action to put my phone down, but not so much violence that I need to cover my eyes.

Here is the trailer if you want to check it out and join me [and my mom].

It launched July 16 and will have weekly episodes until August 19. I like to know if I’m binging or not, so heads up — I guess we’re not!

#2 MAN ON THE INSIDE

I just finished the first two seasons of Man on the Inside. I don’t know why I was sleeping on this show!

The gentleman I knew from watching Cheers reruns on Nick at Night now finds himself diving into a retirement career as a private investigator. It’s a perfect mix of wholesome, engaging, and clever.

It’s been a “warm hug watch” over the past couple weeks. I highly recommend it if you’re in the mood for something light.

It was picked up for Season 3 so we can expect some new episodes in late 2026 or early 2027, hopefully!

LAST WEEK’S QUOTE 💫

Certainly a quote I need this week — hopefully it serves you too!

RECENT BRIGHT SPOTS ☀️

Here’s a few of the really good things I encountered throughout the week:

• A beach hot dog

• A fun 90 minute HYROX workout

• Multiple ocean cold plunges

• Dairy Queen chocolate dip cone

• A rare Wednesday evening track workout

• A walk with some old friends

• Sitting with my niece on my lap before she went out of town

✨ Your Turn: Even during weeks when my mind is on a roller coaster, I love coming back to this exercise. It’s training me to spend more time in this place whenever I can. So I highly recommend you join me in taking a moment to think of or write down 3-10 bright spots from your week. Go 💛

ADDENDUM: PODCAST REC 🎧

After scheduling this week’s newsletter, I found myself feeling ready for a mindset shift.

I usually draft these over the weekend, and on Sunday afternoon I set out on my weekly long run as I train for a half marathon in September.

Before I left, I decided to claim nine good things — one for each mile — and record them along the way. You can find the result here.

While I was running, I put on an episode of The Mel Robbins Podcast with the #1 Happiness Expert, Dr. Dacher Keltner. It felt like the universe slipped into my Spotify and delivered exactly what I needed to hear.

He talked about the power of taking in moments of awe, connecting with what you love, and taking just a few moments each day to identify something good — exactly what I was doing on my run.

It was the perfect way to kick off the week 1% brighter.

Sharing here in case it’s a message you need this week, too.

CLAIM + MANIFEST ✨

And we’ve made it to the cherry on top — time to take a few minutes for a ritual inspired by this Instagram video.

We claim three things we’re in control of, and identify three things that we’d love the universe to help with.

Here are mine for this week:

• Three things I’m in control of:

  • Prioritizing rest and water

  • Publishing an essay this week [let’s try this one again]

  • Focusing on being 1% kinder to myself

• Three things I’m manifesting:

  • Sunny mornings

  • An awesome horoscope

  • Good news

💫 Your Turn: Take a minute or two to do your own, and feel free to message me!

With that, I’ll send you off to the rest of your day. I hope you have a bright week ahead!

Be it, beam it,

Olivia

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Latest Bright Light Essays

• What My Couch Was Carrying

• Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

• I got stood up

• A Letter to Myself the Day I Stopped Drinking

Lists, Guides, and Rituals

• The Moving Ritual I Didn’t Know I Needed

• Four Limiting Beliefs I’m Unlearning This Spring

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece💛

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

  Thanks for reading Bright Light Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

I hope you had an enriching and restorative weekend, whatever that means to you.

For anyone who’s ever played sports, I feel like last week was a bit of a rebuilding week for me. One of those unexciting ones that’s setting a foundation for what’s to come more than anything else. We’ll see what that foundation can help build in the week ahead!

With that, let’s dive into another Monday with today’s dose of bright light energy ✨

THE RETURN OF THE EARLY MORNING WORKOUT ☀️

I have enough life data to prove that I am a morning workout person. I’m my best self when I wake up early and start the day by moving my body, doing something for myself.

Yet, I’ve been off my early morning workout routine for pretty much all of 2026 so far. I’ve had a few early workouts here and there but I just haven’t been able to get the routine to stick. Now, I’m all about having seasons for routines, leaning into what our bodies need, and all the positive self-talk things.

BUT…

In this case, I think what started as giving myself a break turned into avoiding a practice that I know for a fact serves me. And that is the opposite of self care.

It got me thinking: What does it say about us when we knowingly avoid what we know is good for us? When we can’t bring ourselves to choose what will allow us to be our best selves?

All that to say, in a classic case of younger sister-dom meets Regina George influence, I’d been feeling the itch to try an early morning routine again and then my sister started doing early morning workouts. So of course, I started doing early workouts.

Last week I woke up in the 5am hour three times and got in four early morning workouts.

It was so validating to see how it kickstarted a ripple effect: I made other healthier choices throughout the day, got more done, improved my sleep. But most importantly, it changed how I experienced my day. Starting earlier opened up my schedule and gave me the space I needed to breathe. To not feel rushed. To enjoy moments instead of rushing to the next thing.

So my hope for myself is that I keep choosing this act of self-care this week, and the next, and the next.

✨ Reflection Moment: Do you have a habit, ritual, or routine that you know is good for you that you’ve just been giving it the side eye? If so, I’d invite you to try revisiting it this week, just for one day and see how it feels.

LAST WEEK’S CAMERA ROLL 📸

A few pictures from my rebuilding week, which was also the return of the Zone 2 movement.

Below you’ll find photos from some lovely walks I went on as well as another routine I revisited: my Booked & Balanced planner.

WHAT I’M WATCHING 📺

This week I’m deep into The Five Star Weekend on Peacock. Since I’m spending some time with my parents at home, I’m watching this one with my mom — which means I’m watching at a much slower pace than usual. Only one or two episodes a night — torture!

It’s a perfect summer watch filled with female friendship, a little drama, and some plot twists — all within a stunning Nantucket backdrop. What more could you want?

To know me, is to know I have not read the book — but if anyone has, let me know if you enjoyed it and maybe I will!

Leave a comment

THINGS MAKING ME LAUGH 😂

I’m taking a detour to share one of my new favorite Instagram accounts. If you’ve read any of my past essays you know I’ve worked in some crazy work environments. I’ve had outrageous hours, demanding bosses, toxic cultures — the works. So when I stumbled upon George Stern’s Instagram account, I couldn’t get enough of it.

If you’ve ever experienced the madness that can be corporate culture from the inside, I imagine you’ll cackle watching these too.

George essentially reads real conversations between employees and their managers — getting work messages at a wedding, being asked to join a call from a hospital bed. They’re painfully accurate.

Anyway, if you haven’t found your way into the middle management humor corner of Instagram yet, this is your invitation to give this a look and a laugh.

LAST WEEK’S QUOTE(S) 💫

This week I shared two quotes! Double the quote, double the fun.

I think these two work together well because they show us that in processing our biggest challenges we can become our own, strongest heroes.

Story time, I actually spent one summer living on a tour bus with Nora Ephron’s son, Max. It was over a decade ago, when I was a talent assistant for one of the opening artists on the American Dream Tour.

Max is a brilliant musician and it was before he joined Taylor Swift’s Reputation and Eras tours. I remember him being SO smart and super nice.

He completely shifted my mindset around tattoos. This shows how wildly sheltered I was, but until then my mindset around body art had been solely shaped by television. Meeting him and the other band members helped me learn that tattoos aren’t always about trying to look “edgy” — they’re a form of art and self-expression.

Here is the tour bus in question with a classic 2014 Instagram filter on it:

RECENT BRIGHT SPOTS ☀️

Here are a few bright spots from last week:

• Early morning workouts

• Walks on the rail trail

• Work from pool (again)

• Ice cream with sprinkles

• Finishing my 7-mile run

• My Whoop age turning 28.6

• Sleeping over 9 hours twice

✨ Your Turn: Take a moment to think of or write down 3-10 bright spots from your week. It’s a nice weekly check-in to make sure we’re noticing the good we already have in our lives.

CLAIM + MANIFEST ✨

You’ve made it to the end! Now’s the time where every week we take on a ritual inspired by this Instagram video.

Time to claim three things you’re in control of, and three things that you’d love the universe to help you out with.

Here are mine for this week:

• Three things I’m in control of:

  • Planning a day off/choice day in the next couple weeks (we’ll try this again!)

  • Publishing an essay this week

  • Continuing to prioritize protein [I’m on a Core Power kick]

• Three things I’m manifesting:

  • More ice cream with sprinkles

  • No clouds in the sky sunny days

  • Good news

💫 Your Turn: Take a minute or two to do your own, and feel free to message me!

With that, I’ll send you off to the rest of your day. I hope you have a bright week ahead!

Be it, beam it,

Olivia

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Latest Bright Light Essays

• What My Couch Was Carrying

• Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

• I got stood up

• A Letter to Myself the Day I Stopped Drinking

Lists, Guides, and Rituals

• The Moving Ritual I Didn’t Know I Needed

• Four Limiting Beliefs I’m Unlearning This Spring

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece💛

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

  Thanks for reading Bright Light Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Thanks for your patience with today’s delayed send. Consider this week’s installment the read for your second — or third — cup of coffee!

Today’s is a true Monday edition — written bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning. I got home late last night after driving back from a friend’s wedding in Oswego, New York.

I was reminded how rejuvenating it can be to reconnect with old friends and spend time in a new, stunning environment!

With that, let’s dive into the start of the week with today’s dose of bright light energy ✨

MY WEEKEND AWAY 🌟

This weekend I got to reconnect with a dear friend of over 13 years (but like how is that possible since we’re still 25?), celebrate her wedding, and meet her new baby!

It was the dose of good energy I didn’t realize I needed.

Between my move and everything else going on lately, I totally procrastinated figuring out where to stay. So when I went to book a hotel the week of — I know, I knowwwwww — my options were limited.

On a whim, I decided to stay in a bed and breakfast. Something I’ve never done before!

A past version of me would’ve scoffed at the idea of eating eggs benedict with strangers, but this weekend’s version leaned in and enjoyed a pleasant conversation with a family of fishermen on their annual trip.

If you ever find yourself in Oswego, New York, I highly recommend The Belvedere Inn at Merriam House. The owners, Jennifer and Jake, are so friendly and kind. They live on the property, greet you when you arrive, and prepare all the meals.

I was barely in the room, but I wish I could’ve spent more time there because it was cozy, quaint, and quiet.

Turns out it’s really good for your soul to get out of your comfort zone and try something different.

The wedding itself was lovely, followed by a gorgeous afternoon on a nearby lake. After spending my college years in a different area of upstate New York, it was oddly nostalgic to return to the brilliant green rolling hills.

I got a coffee on my way out of town and saw a display of yellow mugs and needed to get this one. Now I’ll have a memento to remember this much-needed respite from my day-to-day.

A reminder of what this weekend felt like — and that sometimes the best ones are the ones you kind of stumble into.

LAST WEEK’S CAMERA ROLL 📸

I love including this section because it helps me do a pulse check on how present I’ve been. I’ve mentioned before that generally, when I have a shortage of pictures on my camera roll, it means I’m nearing, or already on an autopilot loop.

Here’s a hodgepodge of what last week looked like — there were quite a few things I didn’t want to forget!

PODCASTS ROUNDUP 🎧

There’s nothing like spending hours packing up your life to get you back on the podcast train.

Last week I listened to a bunch of interviews that I’d highly recommend.

Well worth taking on your next summer walk, run, long drive, or packing session if you also happen to be moving.

Good Hang, Good Vibes

Ambition Vibes

Warm and Fuzzy Vibes

LAST WEEK’S QUOTE 💫

I seem to pick the exact quote that I need at the exact right time.

Lately I’ve been in an expand and contract loop when it comes to my dreams and ambitions.

In case you might need this message too, here is last Friday’s quote note from Eva Longoria.

RECENT BRIGHT SPOTS

Here are my bright spots from last week:

• Holding a dear friend’s baby for the first time

• Multiple not a cloud in the sky days

• Being obsessed with my new haircut

• Trying out my new favorite workplaces: work from pool and work from grass

• Saying goodbye to my apartment in a way that felt right

• Doing a track workout out of town

• Making the Instagram video I’d been putting off for two weeks and realizing it wasn’t that hard or that scary

✨ Your Turn: The more we recognize the good around us, the more we train our brains to see that first. Before you run back to your day, take two minutes to remember a few bright spots from last week or your weekend. I bet you’ll start your week on a brighter foot as a result.

CLAIM + MANIFEST ✨

We’ve arrived at one of my favorite points in the newsletter! When we step into our weekly ritual - inspired by this Instagram video I saw last summer.

Each week, we claim three things we’re in control of, and three things that we’d love the universe to help us out with.

Here’s what I’m putting out this week:

• Three things I’m in control of:

  • Doing my workouts in the morning

  • Getting lots of sleep

  • Planning a day off/choice day in the next couple weeks

• Three things I’m manifesting:

  • Having a whimsical New England day

  • Eating something delicious

  • Good news and comfort for the people I love

💫 Your Turn: Take a minute or two to do your own, and feel free to message me!

With that, I’ll send you off to your week. I hope you have a great rest of your day and a bright week ahead!

Be it, beam it,

Olivia

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Lists, Guides, and Rituals

• NEW: The Moving Ritual I Didn't Know I Needed

• Four Limiting Beliefs I’m Unlearning This Spring

Latest Bright Light Essays

• What My Couch Was Carrying

• Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

• I got stood up

• A Letter to Myself the Day I Stopped Drinking

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece💛

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

  Thanks for reading Bright Light Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

And although I’m a big ritual girl — I basically made a 2025 scrapbook as a New Year’s reflection exercise for God’s sake — I had no plans for a grandiose goodbye. No “ceremony” planned.

I’ve been so focused on getting out of there — packing logistics, movers, deadlines — that I bulldozed over the transition itself. I’m moving home with my parents temporarily, which comes with an essay worth of feelings, so I think I just wanted to get the work over with so I could focus on the next thing.

A little rush, a little avoidance. A familiar combo.

But when I found myself taking one last picture of myself in the space — a classic 2026 move — I felt like I needed to do one more thing before I left.

Recently, my coach said that when a chapter ends, we tend to focus on what’s next and forget to close the chapter we’re leaving.

Maybe that’s what bubbled up in my brain at that moment.

Regardless of where the idea came from, before I walked down the three flights of stairs for the last time, I spent a few minutes doing this.

MY NEW MOVING RITUAL

I’d already packed my notebooks away so I opened my notes app and wrote down whatever came to mind. In case you ever want to try it, here are the three prompts I used:

• Favorite memories in the space

• Least favorite memories in the space

• What I learned about myself

Not shockingly, emotions came up when I thought about my favorite and least favorite memories. The pre-Christmas sleepovers I had with my niece — Parker in the City nights, as we call them. Having my friends/coworkers over for chicken caesar wraps, yapping, and work. Packing in a hurry after finding out devastating news.

But the five-minute exercise ended up reinforcing larger lessons I’m learning about myself and what I want from my life. More connection, less solitude. That I’m enough. That I’m worthy. That I want to create.

Suddenly, I felt ready to return my keys — with the closure I needed and clarity on what I’m looking forward to in my next chapter.

I’m putting this here so I remember it the next time I move.

It feels like one of those rituals I’ll want to come back to.

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Lists, Guides, and Rituals

• Four Limiting Beliefs I'm Unlearning This Spring

Latest Bright Light Essays

• What My Couch Was Carrying

• Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

• I got stood up

• A Letter to Myself the Day I Stopped Drinking

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece💛.

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

I hope you had a wonderful holiday weekend!

For me, holiday weekends, particularly July 4th, can come with some added “stuff” — expectations, anticipation, and the nuance of wanting to celebrate what I love about America without ignoring what I’m struggling with.

All that to say, I did my best to let my weekend be my own, to not compare it to anyone else’s, and to celebrate what and how I wanted to. I hope you did the same!

This week’s newsletter is all about how I leaned into July 4th-themed weekend whimsy, and how I’m excited to start a new chapter this week.

With that, let’s lean into the week with a bright start!

Here’s today’s dose of bright light energy ✨

WEEKEND WHIMSY RECAP

This year, I started July 4th the same way I have for the past few — with a local 5k and attending the town parade with my family. Since moving back to the East Coast I’ve come to adore how we spend our wholesome holidays. There's something special about becoming a holiday road race family, and about watching the same parade I once thought was lame become something I genuinely cherish.

After my sister and I raced in the blistering heat and watched fire trucks, classic cars, and floats scoot through the town center we went home for what my niece calls our annual “party.”

I use quotes because it’s really just our immediate family in my parents’ backyard eating, swimming, and throwing some water balloons. But nothing about that equates to just - it’s our perfect way to celebrate.

To take my mind off of some of the heavy things going on in my life, I leaned into whimsy by making some holiday-themed treats!

It’s funny how the version of me who thought the parade was lame probably thought making themed treats was too — I was way too busy to have time for that.

But now I see what these homemade touches can really be and mean: a chance to use my hands, get off my devices, and make the day feel a bit brighter.

The main attractions were lobster rolls, a July 4th cookie cake, and a not-photographed watermelon refresher.

The lobster rolls received rave reviews — a huge relief since the pre-cooked lobster meat I reheated and slathered with butter was not cheap!! The cookie cake was also a success, however, if I were to make it again I would pull it out of the oven two minutes sooner!

My 7-year-old niece said it was “very crumbly” and “okay”… LOL.

The watermelon refresher was an absolute flop.

But the point of making everything was to give me something fun to do over the weekend, bring a little joy to my family, and help make the day feel special — all of which were accomplished.

All in all, I spent the day with people I love, soaked up some sun, and fell asleep on the couch at 9pm.

The sign of a holiday well spent.

A NEW CHAPTER ON THE HORIZON

I don’t know which I’m more excited about, the fact that I’m moving out of my apartment this week, or that I’m chopping my hair!

Okay that’s a lie, I’m definitely more excited about the hair.

But I’m loving the fact that my move and haircut are falling on the same day.

My car got booted last week, which I’m interpreting as the Universe’s way of saying that my time in the city is meant to come to an end.

My hair has been living in a bun on top of my head since I let it grow long. I never wear it down and put off washing it at all costs because it takes so much time to detangle.

It’s starting to feel attached to some heaviness that I’m ready to let go of.

So it feels right to make both changes happen at once: let one chapter close, and a fresh one begin.

SONG OF THE WEEK

Here’s another element inspired by my niece, who requested this song in the car the other day!

I love that Zara Larsson’s Lush Life is having a comeback.

Hearing this song teleports me back to 2015: Waking up at 12pm on Saturday after working 80 hours. Dragging myself to a 2pm spin class at Cycle House in LA. Bopping along to this song for 60 minutes of joy before returning to work.

Ah, those were the days!

If you haven’t added it back to your summer playlist yet, this is your sign.

P.S. ICYMI 🤫: Watching Sheinelle Jones dance with Zara on stage during her performance on the TODAY show made my eyes well up. Sheinelle’s husband passed away last year from brain cancer so seeing her step into joy in that way a year later was just the epitome of bright light.

LAST WEEK’S QUOTE 💫

Last week’s quote touches on the mission of this platform, and my whole essence over the last few years.

There’s something deeply profound about finding light on the other side of darkness. Something elevated comes out on the other side when you’re bold enough to trudge through the tough stuff.

I think I’m just scratching the surface.

RECENT BRIGHT SPOTS

It’s becoming a weekly practice that I’m enjoying — and I hope you are too!

Here are my bright spots from last week:

• Getting pizza & ice cream with my niece on Wednesday

• Squeezing in a track workout before the heat wave

• Making an Instagram video with my sister at our 5k

• Eating lobster rolls poolside

• Drinking Diet Coke out of my HydroFlask

• Going on a coffee walk with a longtime pal drinking the Dunkin’ she brought me 🥹

✨ Your Turn: If you feel called, join me in taking a minute to remember a few bright spots from your week. I bet it’ll make you feel better as you start this one.

KNOW SOMEONE WHO MIGHT WANT TO READ?

If you know someone else out there who might resonate with my writing — this weekly newsletter, or the essays I write — I’d love for you to share this with them.

Every new reader helps bring me — and the Bright Light Blog — a little closer to the dreams I have for it.

Share

CLAIM + MANIFEST ✨

And just like clockwork, it’s time to put more good vibes into ourselves and the universe.

Each week, we claim three things we’re in control of, and three things that we could use some help from the universe with.

Here’s what I’m putting out this week:

• Three things I’m in control of:

  • Completing all of my runs and workouts

  • Getting through my move and maintaining my sanity

  • Continuing to improve my sleep consistency

• Three things I’m manifesting:

  • Loving my new haircut

  • Smooth travels to upstate New York next weekend

  • Feeling at ease in the start of my new chapter

💫 Your Turn: Take a minute or two to do your own, and feel free to message me!

With that, I’ll send you off to your week. I hope you have a great rest of your day and a bright week ahead!

Be it, beam it,

Olivia

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Latest Bright Light Essays

• What My Couch Was Carrying

• Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

• I got stood up

• A Letter to Myself the Day I Stopped Drinking

Running Imitates Life

• 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Ran My First Marathon

From the Archives…

• SuccessFULL: when my old version of success stopped working

• Bright Light Birthday Lessons

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece💛.

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

  Thanks for reading Bright Light Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

  Thanks for reading Bright Light Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

I hope you’re coming off of a rejuvenating weekend, whatever that means to you!

The last few days brought a few new hurdles my way — feels like I’m in a bit of a whack-a-mole era — so I’m excited to turn a fresh page this morning.

This week I’m talking about what recently helped me snap out of a freeze state, how I’m weaving whimsy into the summer, and more!

With that, let’s dive into today’s dose of Bright Light Energy ✨.

TAKING THE FIRST STEP

I’ve talked about how I decided to move this summer.

What I may not have mentioned is that I need to be out of my place by July 8.

Which I’m now realizing is um… next week?

If you read my essay last week, you know I’ve spent plenty of time analyzing my attachment to my couch. I can confirm I spent zero time packing, selling furniture, hiring movers, etc.

I just haven’t been able to bring myself to do anything about it.

The avoider in me kept saying, you’ll feel ready to deal with this soon.

Well, this weekend I watched July 8 creep closer and closer. Soon was a knocking and I still didn’t feel remotely ready to answer the door.

Here’s what I did to help me get a move on, with the move:

STEP #1 - I RECOGNIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING

Once I realized that after weeks of waiting I still wasn’t “up for the task,” I started to get curious.

I reflected on my recent thoughts around moving and noticed a pattern: It would pop up in my mind, I’d think about taking action, and immediately shut down.

AKA — I looked around and saw myself knee-deep in the ice, frost, and chilly temps that come with a freeze state, from yours truly.

STEP #2 - I GAVE MYSELF A DAY WITH NO EXPECTATIONS OF MOVEMENT

I’m no therapist, but I’ve talked to mine about this a time or two.

Naming it was the first step. I said to myself - you know what, we’re in a bit of a freeze state right now.

Next, I told myself that I was probably freezing for a reason — overwhelm, exhaustion etc. So I decided what I needed first and foremost was some grace.

I gave myself a day to rest with no pressure to do anything. The only item on my to-do list for the day was a 6.5-mile run.

STEP #3 - MOVEMENT, MOVED ME

After spending most of Saturday resting, I finally set out to tackle my one obligation of the day: a 6.5-mile run, around 6pm.

By the time I turned around on my out-and-back run I was already thinking of ways I could ask for help. I spent the last mile brainstorming messages I could and would send once I finished.

Movement 🤝 nature’s defroster.

STEP #4 - FOLLOW THROUGH AND MAKE A LIST

Immediately after my run, I sent the texts I’d brainstormed asking for body double support with the move and seeing if anyone had recommendations for movers.

Then I made a list of everything I needed to do.

Getting those thoughts out of my head took a huge weight off my shoulders.

And wouldn’t you know, I’ve even checked something off the list since then!

💡Takeaway: If you’re feeling frozen too, these seem to be my keys to unfreezing:

1. Naming what’s happening

2. Giving myself permission to rest

3. Moving my body

WHIMSY-ING IT UP

The move is the tip of the iceberg in terms of what’s going on for me right now, so I’m pulling out all the stops when it comes to curating moments of goodness to outweigh the overwhelm.

For me, whimsy looks like taking small excursions, adding sprinkles to my ice cream, and finding cutesy recipes to get excited about. It’s all about creating those positive moments that make you look back and smile, because you can.

This weekend I asked my sister if she wanted to go on a weekend whimsy adventure. Of course she said yes, and we turned it into a Dairy Queen outing with my niece. Something so small, but it added sparkle to a day that otherwise would have felt pretty ordinary.

💌 YOU ASKED...

After last week’s newsletter a couple Bright Light pals asked for my strawberry matcha recipe… so here it is!

Strawberry Iced Matcha 🍓

Ingredients:

• 3-5 strawberries [or more, to your liking! I used fresh, but you could use frozen]

• 1.5 grahams matcha powder [I buy these packets from Trader Joe’s]

• Honey

• Oat Milk

Instructions:

• Muddle the strawberries at the bottom of your glass [I took a fat spoon and smashed them until it was mostly strawberry juice with a few strawberry chunks]

• Add ice to your glass

• To make the actual matcha I go an unconventional route: I pour 1 matcha packet, a drizzle of honey, and 3/4 cup oat milk into my Nespresso milk frother. [I like to think it skips the step of steeping the matcha in water 😂 ]

• Pour latte over your strawberries and ice, and stir!

• ALT: If you don’t have the same milk frother, you could make the matcha properly [mix with hot water], then drizzle honey in the matcha mixture, add oat milk to your glass, add matcha + honey to your glass, and stir!

SONG OF THE WEEK

This week’s musical obsession has been an Olivia Dean oldie-but-goodie. Sharing here in case it slipped off your playlist recently!

INSPIRATION CORNER 🏅

Today’s inspiration corner is dedicated to my mom, and dedicated Bright Light reader, Linda Polach!

Last week, I had the chance to go to the State House to watch her receive a Commonwealth Heroine award for her outstanding work in media literacy.

She was one of 147 honorees from across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts recognized for their leadership, service, and impact in their communities.

After building an esteemed career in Boston newsrooms over almost four decades, my mom has taken on the role of Massachusetts State Advocacy Lead for Media Literacy Now in her latest chapter.

A lifelong journalist, my mom is passionate about educating future generations and helping students develop the critical thinking skills necessary to evaluate information, identify misinformation, and become responsible consumers and creators of media.

…which couldn’t be more important today!

She’s a wonderful example of what can happen when you put your talent towards a purpose that lights you up. Our family is so beyond proud.

Congrats, mom!

LAST WEEK’S QUOTE 💫

Last Friday’s quote is from my girl and life idol, Mindy Kaling.

I like to think my prefrontal cortex was built on The Mindy Project. And this quote resonated with me recently, so I wanted to share.

P.S. I owe you all a proper review of Not Suitable for Work - watching the rest of the season, I really came around!

RECENT BRIGHT SPOTS

Recently a family friend was recapping this episode of Hidden Brain, which talked about how our brains naturally focus on negative things but when we savor goodness and gratitude, we build neuroplasticity to help outweigh the negative.

It was a helpful reminder of the scientific why behind exercises like identifying weekly Bright Spots.

Here are mine from last week:

• Runs along the water

• Waking up in the 6am hour multiple days last week

• Putting on real clothes and feeling pretty for an afternoon

• Going on a weekend whimsy adventure with my sister and niece

• Writing the newsletter even though I couldn’t have felt less up for writing last week

• Spending a gorgeous summer night by my parents’ pool

✨ Your Turn: This week I even shared the science to prove it! Now’s your turn to take a minute or two to identify 3-5 good things from your last week. I bet it will help bring more goodness your way!

A PEEK INSIDE MY CAMERA ROLL 📸

Some pics of those runs, a midday McDonald’s Diet Coke, taking my plants home, and making a point to look up 👀

CLAIM + MANIFEST ✨

Now’s the time when we put more good energy into ourselves and the world.

Each week, we claim three things we’re in control of, and call out three things that we’d love the universe to help us out with with!

Here’s what I’m putting out this week:

• Three things I’m in control of:

  • Continuing to wake up early

  • Getting myself mostly packed before the weekend so I can enjoy some red, white, and blue whimsical treats!

  • Continuing to be flexible and give my nervous system what it needs on any given day

• Three things I’m manifesting:

  • Good news ✨ [trying this one again!]

  • Sunny weather

  • Meeting new workout friends

I hope you have a great start to your day and a bright week ahead!

Be it, beam it,

Olivia

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Latest Bright Light Essays

• NEW: What My Couch Was Carrying

• Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

• I got stood up

• A Letter to Myself the Day I Stopped Drinking

Running Imitates Life

• 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Ran My First Marathon

From the Archives…

• SuccessFULL: when my old version of success stopped working

• Bright Light Birthday Lessons

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece💛.

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

  Thanks for reading Bright Light Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

I recently decided to move. After two years living in what I believed to be my dream apartment, I decided not to renew my lease.

It means leaving behind my first solo apartment in a few short weeks.

Last week I spent my coaching call — the dedicated space where I usually talk about my writing and entrepreneurial journey, goals for this platform, and more generally who I want to be when I grow up — talking in great detail about:

…my couch.

I babbled about the logistical questions keeping me stagnant.

Should I keep it?

Should I sell it?

Would I hurt myself if I tried to carry it down three flights of teeny weeny walk-up stairs in summer heat?

I’m certain my coach knew all along, but after 30 minutes of couch-centered word-vomit, she politely steered me to the idea that perhaps the couch might be carrying a bit more weight than just a piece of furniture.

Which got me thinking, what significance was I giving this couch, and how would I know if I wanted to keep it?

IT WAS MY FIRST “BIG GIRL PURCHASE”

When I asked myself the question, “what else could this couch be carrying?” this was the first answer.

It was the first piece of furniture I thought I might want to keep.

The majority of my young adult life I lived "light” — that’s not to say I didn’t still hoard a bunch of sh*t I didn’t need, but I wasn’t thinking about my future or buying anything I’d want long term. My New York City apartments were filled with hand-me-down furniture and random posters I kept from college.

When I lived in LA, I was in such a chronic state of burnout, I didn’t see the value in nesting. I finally decorated my apartment during COVID. Not because I thought I deserved a comfortable oasis to exist in — because I couldn’t stand staring at blank walls while I worked from my bedroom.

Then when I left LA, I left most everything behind. I packed suitcases with my clothes and put a few things in my car before I shipped it across the country.

Eight years in the same city and I had nothing tangible to show for it.

So when I moved back to the East Coast, recalibrated my life and worked to establish an identity beyond my job, I also made a point to turn my first solo apartment into a home. Or at least, the homiest home I’d created for myself.

Insert the couch.

For me, the couch is arguably the most important piece of furniture. I watch a ton of TV and having a comfortable place to sit is, of course, critical to that mission.

When I signed my Boston lease I was so excited to buy a piece of furniture I might actually hold onto. I brought a friend with me to the Macy’s furniture store and we couch sat for hours until I found “the one.”

The blue couch popped against my butter yellow walls — which came with the apartment and screamed bright light alignment — and became a featured piece in my space.

I even bought the perfect matching ottoman.

The couch was filled with promise.

IT WAS CARRYING THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE APARTMENT

When I ask myself the original question again: “what else could this couch be carrying?”

I come to the real answer: expectations.

The version of me that moved into my apartment two years ago was refreshed, energized and ready to live a thriving life of abundance, regulation, and ease. She’d just left an old version of herself behind, spent a year at home resetting surrounded by her family, and rebuilding Olivia 2.0.

A lighter, brighter model.

And when I think back to that version of me, that watched the movers carry this sucker up three flights of stairs, I think I believed that healing and growth would be linear. That all of the old anchors that once held me down would disappear.

That in this new space — with my new couch — I’d meet my person, cure my workaholic ways, and quiet my negative self talk completely.

Even reading it back, my knowing mind can see those were unrealistic expectations. But they were my expectations nonetheless.

I did all the things to manifest a partner. I bought things in pairs — mugs, nightstands. A king sized bed — what if he’s tall!

But instead of the couch becoming a place where I spent time with someone special — or anyone else for that matter — it became a place where I spent a lot of time by myself. Countless takeout feasts, procedural drama marathons, and post-long run naps.

It became the place where I plopped down after countless dates. Where I spent weekends catching up on my favorite shows. Where I continued to have burnout breakdowns.

That’s not to say I haven’t evolved at all in two years. I went on more dates than years past — they weren’t good, but at least I tried! I rebounded from burnout with resilience and without catastrophe. I found camaraderie at work and learned to take myself less seriously.

I started this blog.

I started to fall in love with writing.

But, not shockingly, the apartment was not a magical portal that rid me of all my stuff.

So when I think about the couch, it makes me think of who I thought would be sitting on it two years later.

Someone… more whole?

Somehow the version of me that I have become — and haven’t — has gotten itself entangled with this couch.

As though the couch failed. Or at least, came up short.

Sh*t, am I the couch?

… as though I failed. As though I came up short.

SO DO I KEEP IT?

Which brings me back to the question at hand: to keep the couch, or not to keep the couch?

The more I unpack, and sift, and sit with it, the more I realize maybe it wasn’t that the couch, or I, failed. Maybe we didn’t do anything wrong.

Maybe this apartment — this chapter — was serving a different purpose.

It wasn’t meant to be the place where I lived my happy ending.

It wasn’t meant to be the place where I found love, overcame all my issues, and built a raucous social circle.

Maybe it was meant to be the place where I got really quiet and listened to myself.

Where I got to know who I really am.

And allowed myself to just be her.

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Latest Bright Light Essays

• Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

• I got stood up

• A Letter to Myself the Day I Stopped Drinking

Running Imitates Life

• 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Ran My First Marathon

Bright Light Weekly…

• Hope Out of Thin Air - 6/22

• A Wink from the Universe - 6/15

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece💛.

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

  Thanks for reading Bright Light Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

And happy first official Monday of Summer — arguably my favorite season, depending on when you ask me 😉.

Each week’s newsletter theme is often a combination of what I’ve recently consumed mixed with whatever I decide I want to put into the universe.

This week, the vibe is hope.

My hope is that these reflections resonate with you, make you think a little deeper about your own experiences, or help you channel the energy you need to start your week.

With that, let’s dive into today’s dose of Bright Light Energy ✨.

BREATHWORK RECAP

To know me is to know that I am obsessed with breathwork.

It’s a practice that’s helped me heal, reconnect with myself, and find community over the past two and a half years.

Last Tuesday, I went to an event I had been desperately looking forward to: an Olivia Dean themed class. To know me is to also know that I am obsessed with Olivia Dean lol so it was truly a dream combination.

Walking into this event was also an opportunity to witness someone so clearly living in their purpose. The business owner and breathwork facilitator had set out an array of candles, dimmed the lights, and created a stunningly peaceful ambiance for the session that you could feel the second you walked into the space. I was already obsessed before we’d even begun.

Just needed to give her her flowers for creating that 👏🏽.

The practice itself was also magical, of course. It was both a healing experience and musical journey in one.

Sabrina says that breathwork is exactly what you need on any given day. I’ve had more focused sessions, distracted ones, emotional ones — everything in between. But I’d never had a session like this before.

I was reverberating goodness for almost the entire time.

It’s an abstract concept, but a very specific feeling.

As we got into the session, I found myself experiencing something that can only be described as energy flowing and glowing through my body. Almost creating a warm sensation.

Tingling in my hands — not in the fidgety way I sometimes experience — but in a way that felt energizing and relaxing at the same time.

In the moment I knew it to be the truest form of goodness. Wholeness.

I ended up releasing a few tears, but not out of sadness. Out of gratitude.

It felt so good to feel so good. I was so grateful to access that joy, simply from being. Certainly as a product of the practice and the environment. But not as the result of an event, another person, or a “thing” — just my breath.

That experience is what kicked off my theme of hope for the week.

It felt so promising, and hopeful to experience something so beautiful out of literally thin air.

It truly moved me. And to think, if I hadn’t gone to an event by myself two and a half years ago, I might never have experienced it.

And it took all of the breathwork sessions beforehand to build up to this experience.

So my point is less that you must also try breathwork — although that’s not entirely not my point — but that I encourage you to try something different or unexpected as a way to pour into yourself.

You just might unlock a new access point to the deepest form of goodness.

RUNNING IMITATES LIFE

This week I also turned to running as a form of healing. And, you guessed it, it left an imprint deeper than just another run.

I did a track workout on Friday as the last workout before my 10k race on Sunday.

The sun was shining, it wasn’t uncomfortably hot. Vibes were high. After my 1.5 mile warm-up, I stepped up to the starting line for the workout: tapered 800s. Aka two laps around the track, at an uncomfortable pace, but not a sprint.

As I hit the straight away to end my first lap, I came up against some heavy-ass wind. One of those gusts that makes you feel like you’re either running through a wall, or pushing a sled. It was blowing at the exact angle I was running. There was no way to avoid it.

I took a deep breath, gritted my teeth a bit, and dug in through the end of the lap. As I crossed the line and turned the corner to tackle my second, I felt the wind shift to my back.

In seconds, what had been resisting against me was working with me.

Call me “woo-woo” if you must.

This experience did not feel like a mistake. It felt like a lesson.

I’m positive I’m not the first to learn it — but it was my first time paying close enough attention to notice it.

It made me believe — hope, even — that maybe in tough times, what’s pushing up against you just might turn into what eases your journey.

And that was the exact message I needed right now.

JUNE THEME: HOPE

I won’t make you read through yet a third philosophical unpacking.

But I do want to acknowledge that I also felt pulled into the theme of hope when I saw posts online about the dedication of the Obama Presidential Center.

Everything I saw — particularly former first lady Michelle Obama’s speech — made my heart swell.

Talk about a symbol of hope.

If you haven’t watched yet and want to watch what made my eyes puddle, take a look at this clip:

And here’s her speech in full:

RECENT BRIGHT SPOTS

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it — so I’m keeping the train going with another roundup of recent bright spots:

• Running a 53:47 10K and beating my personal best by over a minute!!

• Making my own strawberry matcha latte at home

• Some awesome sunny weekday runs

• Being reunited with a field hockey goal

• Celebrating my mom’s 75th birthday and Father’s Day in one weekend

• Drinking coffee and touching grass at the same time

• Yet again, having the photos to prove it

✨ Your Turn: Don’t leave me hanging! If you feel called, here’s your chance to take a couple minutes to think of your own. I firmly believe that even in tough times, there’s something to be celebrated. See if you can find your weekly wins, bright spots, or whatever framing helps you see the good around you.

Leave a comment

LAST WEEK’S QUOTE 💫

Last Friday’s quote is from Lucy Hale. I’ve mentioned how much I respect her sobriety journey and how she’s become someone I admire [based on what I know about this complete stranger lol].

I’ve been thinking a lot about vulnerability lately and how I’m pulled toward content with that lens right now. I don’t think I’m alone in that, particularly on this platform.

More often than not, when I’m reading or listening to material I’m far more interested in learning what someone is genuinely thinking and feeling over anything else. The real version of the story, rather than the polished one that sounds “good.” The honest lesson rather than the sparkly takeaway.

My threshold for anything surface level, or fluff reduces daily.

Which is why I started writing essays — to put out more of the content I’m craving.

So thank you to Lucy for reinforcing that vulnerability is not an overshare — but a strength.

CLAIM + MANIFEST ✨

Now’s the time when we pour some good juju into ourselves and the universe.

Each week, we claim three things we’re in control of, and call in three things that we’d love the universe to give us a hand with!

Here’s what I’m channeling this week:

• Three things I’m in control of:

  • Starting my HYROX training cycle - Boston solo here I come! I have big goals to absolutely rip it and I’m excited to get faster and stronger!

  • Continuing on the HydroJug train — shocker, drinking water has helped me feel astronomically better!

  • Wake up in the 6am hour at least twice this week. I have been in a sleep-in era lately but now I’m craving the quiet before the world wakes up. I’d love to get back into a 5am era — for now, I’ll start with 6am.

• Three things I’m manifesting:

  • Good news ✨

  • Progress on the moving and apartment-hunt front

  • Lots of sunny days for morning coffee outside ☀️

I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day and a bright week ahead!

Be it, beam it,

Olivia

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Latest Bright Light Essays

• NEW: Why Off Campus is Healing Millennial Hearts

• I got stood up

• A Letter to Myself the Day I Stopped Drinking

• How I turned a sh*tty day around

• I Didn’t Like Who I Was Becoming

• Four Limiting Beliefs I’m Unlearning This Spring

Running Imitates Life

• 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Ran My First Marathon

From the Archives…

• SuccessFULL: when my old version of success stopped working

• Bright Light Birthday Lessons

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece💛.

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

  Thanks for reading Bright Light Blog! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

But when the title made its way to multiple group chats and I stumbled upon a rainy Memorial Day weekend, I thought I’d dabble.

Little did I know I was launching into a show that would change me on a cellular level.

If you’ve been living under a streaming rock, Off Campus is a show on Prime Video about a music student and college hockey star who find themselves in a fake dating arrangement. A classic rom-com trope.

Now, I love a rom-com. Give me a character growing up trying to find love, I’m locked in. It’s as though I’m trying to heal a younger version of me….

What? Me? No.

But something about Off Campus hit different. Watching it had me weeping, staying up until 2am, and stalking the cast and creator for weeks after I finished.

Which made me wonder: what was it about this show that had me so deeply in my feels?

As someone who grew up drooling over Lucas and Nathan Scott on One Tree Hill, Off Campus gave me a familiar fuzzy feeling without the figurative aftertaste. It delivered a binge-worthy love story with the consent, duality, and multi-dimensional characters that can exist in 2026.

After a series of debriefs —including one with my millenial therapist — here’s what I’ve come to understand.

#1 - IT REPLACES I CAN FIX HIM WITH WE’RE GOOD TOGETHER

For millennials, the toxic Kool-Aid we grew up on was the idea that if you find an emotionally unavailable, distant heartthrob, you can be the one to “fix them” — if you’re special enough.

We watched brooding guys say they’d never want a girlfriend and eventually come around. Nathan Scott from One Tree Hill, Jess Marino from Gilmore Girls, Landon Carter in A Walk to Remember, Patrick Verona in 10 Things I Hate About You. It spanned across both TV and film.

The pursuit of love was portrayed as a prize to be won. Find the one that’s most desirable and if you can get them to choose you, you’ve won the trophy of worthiness.

It became a rite of passage for me. Chase the ones who wouldn’t text me back. Become suspicious of anyone who showed genuine interest.

And if you’re like me, this pattern became so ingrained in you that your therapist is helping you lean away from pursuing a trophy-like prize and towards someone who can actually be a supportive partner.

But in Off Campus, as much as we’re watching a similar story arc take place — yes, the star of the hockey team who says he “doesn’t do girlfriends” ends up getting one — it’s unfolding in a fundamentally different way.

The chase isn’t a part of Hannah’s agenda or Garrett’s. There is no quest for Garrett’s attention. And for that reason she’s not trying to change him, or herself for that matter.

What starts as an arrangement builds into friendship, attraction, and then love. And once they get together, no one really talks about how she “locked him down” or “won the prize” in the way they most certainly would have if this were made 20 years ago.

I couldn’t help but notice that everyone around them — her friends, his friends, even those harboring not-so-secret crushes on the two — celebrate the fact that they’re clearly meant for each other.

There’s no chase or trophy, just two young people getting to know each other, building something stable — albeit in an imperfect and messy way — and eventually realizing that they’ve found someone special.

#2 - IT SHOWS A VERSION OF INTIMACY MANY OF US NEVER EXPERIENCED

Watching a kind, supportive, vulnerable male lead tell a woman she’s not broken made my heart quite literally explode.

I was messaging a former field hockey teammate that the male athletes we went to college with 10+ years ago could, and would never.

I think part of why dating sober has been so challenging for me as an adult is because essentially all of my previous dating experience has been lubricated by alcohol. Most certainly in college, but also after.

Although I’m lucky I haven’t been through the same kind of overt abuse Hannah’s character went through, there have definitely been moments post-college where consent was blurry. And I know that is unfortunately common among women my age.

So watching the scenes where Garrett reassures Hannah and proactively creates an environment where she feels comfortable and safe really impacted me. I was so deeply touched while also covering my mouth as my eyes popped out of my head.

IYKYK.

It’s no wonder this 35-year-old was tearing up watching on-screen college kids have mature, sound, and safe conversations. Seeing that embodied by young people helped my heart grow three sizes.

No one has assured me I’m not broken, yet.

Or fought for me the way Garrett fights for Hannah.

That is quite literally goals.

#3 - IT TREATS FRIENDSHIP LIKE A LOVE STORY TOO

I have to give one of my own besties credit for putting her finger on this one!

But the friendships — both male and female — are another main character. The finale episode had me crying the whole time. I remember texting my friend “each scene my tear ducts refill.”

We’ll start with Hannah’s best friend Allie Hayes. I may not have met my Garrett Graham yet, but I am lucky to have multiple Allies in my corner. Their friendship is the secondary love story.

What stands out in this show is that the female characters lift each other up, there’s no tearing each other down. Allie and Hannah keep things from each other, and on both ends it’s met with the utmost understanding.

To my recollection, there are no fights over guys either. Even the on-campus gossip platform is spewing relatively kind gossip. None of the filth we suffered through on Juicy Campus.

Then we have John “I got you” Logan, aka the guy on your right. This symbol of loyalty helps demonstrate what deep friendship can look like among teammates. I turned into an actual puddle when I saw that Logan pulls Garrett off of the St. Anthony's player who shall not even be named.

And the moment Garrett decides to tell Logan the truth about his dad — we just didn’t get that kind of vulnerability from jock characters on the CW.

#4 - IT OFFERS A REFRESHING VERSION OF COMMUNITY

Not to age myself, but “back in my day” it was common to feel pressured to fit in one box. When I was in college it was confusing for people to understand that you could be an athlete and also be smart. Which is kind of funny because it was Cornell — presumably, everyone is smart, no?

On campus groups were grouping, if you will.

But for me, in both high school and college even though I was always friends with my teammates — some I’ll be bonded to for life — many of my best friends weren’t athletes. And when everyone’s subconsciously telling you to pick a lane and you straddle a couple, you can start to feel stretched thin.

I remember envying the women’s lacrosse team because they were the epitome of a core group. And who doesn’t want to be a part of something like that when you’re in the life stage synonymous with seeking belonging?

Even as an adult, I’ve worked in various industries and it’s funny how I still find myself coming back to the idea that I need to lean heavier into either my athlete side or my creative side in order to fit in.

Less so lately, but still ever-so-slightly present.

Watching Off Campus I saw all of these characters lean into all parts of themselves unabashedly. Garrett understands the material in class, he just needs help applying it. Some characters are into hookup culture, others just love to cook.

But they all come together. The athletes support the theater kids, and vice versa. Hannah sings her heart out in the showcase to a group of friends from all parts of campus.

What a concept, that we can all just be ourselves and find common ground.

It took me two weeks to gather my thoughts after watching this show.

Although I’ll forever be a Garrett Graham stan, I think my obsession is less about one character, and more about everything this show portrayed. And how I felt watching it.

It showed us a version of love, friendship, and vulnerability that felt miles ahead of anything my generation grew up with.

And seeing that played out on screen ended up being quite healing.

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Bright Light Essays

• I got stood up

• A Letter to Myself the Day I Stopped Drinking

• How I turned a sh*tty day around

• I Didn’t Like Who I Was Becoming

• Four Limiting Beliefs I’m Unlearning This Spring

• SuccessFULL: when my old version of success stopped working

• Bright Light Birthday Lessons

Running Imitates Life

• 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Ran My First Marathon

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece💛.

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

And just like that, somehow we’re halfway through the sixth month of the year. It’s funny how fast time goes by when it’s warm out 😂

Fun fact - I decided I’m moving in three weeks. I crack myself up sometimes. In times of uncertainty, I just like to add gasoline. But it will be the best choice for me right now and I’m feeling good about it. Now, to just start packing…

Lately, I’ve been trying my darndest to practice what I preach — take breaks when I need them, lean on my friends, and let my best be enough — but it isn’t always easy. So this week’s installment is filled with the reminders I need right now, and the promises I’m making to myself this week, in case you might need them too.

One foot in front of the other. Onward we go! This week’s installment is small, but mighty.

Here’s today’s dose of Bright Light Energy to kick off your week ✨.

THE POWER OF BELIEF

This week’s anecdote is about how I found something that had been lost — and I swear my belief is what found it.

So, my dad lost his wedding ring. Talk about a cinnabummer.

The week before his and my mom’s 42nd anniversary.

Now, when my mom called me to say that it was missing, I was babysitting my niece. Our hands were quite literally full, filling my trunk with balloons to surprise my sister, her mom, for her 40th birthday.

There wasn’t much I could do at that exact moment, other than listen. But I had a gut feeling that the ring wasn’t gone.

Hours went by while I babysat, and my parents’ whole house was torn upside down. My dad is a big fan of these paper towel dispensers and has one in each bathroom. By the time I got home to help look, my mom had already gone through the piles of used paper towels from each bathroom trash bin. Just in case.

Things were not looking great, but I still had a feeling that the ring hadn’t been lost. I tried to console my parents — saying this could be a sign to get special new rings, maybe even do a vow renewal! I don’t know, I was trying to bring up the vibes. But understandably, when you’ve had something for almost 42 years, you kinda would rather just keep the original.

So with some fresh energy, I took my flashlight out to my mom’s car in the middle of the night and searched.

Lo and behold - there it was under one of the seats.

I know belief can’t do magic, but I also do think it makes a huge difference. Along with searching for something with a calm nervous system.

When you choose to give up, the universe follows. When you choose to believe, I think it’ll give you a wink to keep doing what you’re doing.

RECENT BRIGHT SPOTS

I’ve been enjoying the June bright spot recaps, so here’s another one. When I look back on the past week, here’s what makes me smile:

• The most beautiful cotton candy sky

• Getting to celebrate my sister’s 40th birthday with her

• Watching my niece in her ballet recital

• My Whoop telling me I’m not 35, I’m actually 28 thank you very much

• Getting through a track workout in 88 degree heat

• Finally writing the essay I’ve been thinking about for two weeks. Clue: it’s about something that rhymes with Smoff Campus 👀

• Deciding to move and being at peace with it [after panicking several times, of course]

• Having some photos to prove it

✨ Your Turn: This week, I’d love to invite you to join me in thinking of at least three recent bright spots. You can do your past week like me, this weekend, June overall — any time frame that works for you, works for me. It’s about identifying what’s good around you, and showing your brain you can recognize it. Feel free to share with me in the comments or send me a message!

Leave a comment

LAST WEEK’S QUOTE 💫

Last week’s Friday quote is from the Michelle Obama. I try to keep this one in mind any time I doubt myself when I’m writing about something personal.

CLAIM + MANIFEST ✨

Before we go, it’s time to put some good energy back into our lives and the universe. As a refresher, each week we claim three things we’re in control of, and call in three things that we’d love the universe to give us an assist with!

Here are mine for the week:

• Three things I’m in control of:

  • Hitting at least two morning workouts [I have been on the night train for too long ya’ll]

  • Eating some vegetables [green is a foreign color to me lately]

  • Keeping up my hydration game [the HydroJug has been pulling its weight]

• Three things I’m manifesting:

  • Hitting a PR in the BAA 10k on Sunday

  • My next place is going to have an amazing writing nook

  • Breathwork on Tuesday night will be exactly what I need.

With that, I hope you have a bright rest of your day and a fantastic week!

Be it, beam it,

Olivia

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Bright Light Essays

• I got stood up

• A Letter to Myself the Day I Stopped Drinking

• How I turned a sh*tty day around

• I Didn’t Like Who I Was Becoming

• Four Limiting Beliefs I’m Unlearning This Spring

• SuccessFULL: when my old version of success stopped working

• Bright Light Birthday Lessons

Running Imitates Life

• 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Ran My First Marathon

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece💛.

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

I hope you’re enjoying the start to Gemini season! We celebrated the first of the family birthdays this weekend —my now seven-year-old niece — and I’m feeling lighter because of it. There’s something about the sounds of a bouncy-house and kids running around that’s truly healing!

I don’t know if anyone else agrees but it feels like summer has dumped itself on us, and I’m not mad about it at all. My feet may not be prepared for sandals season, but my spirit certainly is.

This week's newsletter is another pu-pu platter — a little running, a few bright spots, some recommendations, and a handful of things I've been loving lately. The main themes I’m holding onto right now are control the controllable, and be kind to yourself!

So with that, here’s a dose of Bright Light Energy to kick off your week ✨.

BUILDING AN ENGINE

This week has been filled with its challenges and ups and downs.

Although I haven’t shown up for myself perfectly, I’m proud of how I’ve stayed on track with my running routine. I have a 10K coming up in a couple of weekends and since HYROX didn’t end up happening this spring, I’m excited to send it for 6 miles on June 21.

What’s cool though, is that my motivation for running this week has been less attached to how I want to perform and more connected to how the training itself makes me feel. Running centers me, makes me feel strong, and even when it’s hard, brings me joy. The feeling of my heart thumping, my lungs working, and sweat dripping down my neck will always be some of my favorite sensations.

I don’t always want to start, but I’m always glad that I did.

So with everything going on around me that’s out of my hands, it’s been a game changer to have this one thing that I can do for myself consistently that is within my control.

Whether it was intentional or not, over time I’ve built a sturdy internal engine that propels me to show up and do my best, even when circumstances aren’t ideal. I ran tired, sad, scared, in the heat, and even in my glasses. Each run did something different for me - one helped me blow off steam, another pushed my limits, another allowed me to listen to chill music and let my thoughts wander.

In times like these, I’m grateful the system is solid and can keep me grounded.

And… it makes me want to build that same kind of engine when it comes to my writing. This week that practice was much wobblier. And although I am in a state of giving myself more grace and less criticism right now, I can’t help but notice the contrast. One system is like concrete, the other more like sand.

So I’m choosing to use this observation as a moment for growth. In my coaching sessions it’s become clear that I’m capable of showing up consistently in certain areas of my life. I already have proof that I can build consistency. I see it every time I go on a run. Lately, I’m feeling inspired to figure out how to transfer this consistency to other areas.

That drive is what has me back here this week, and what will hopefully get another essay into your inbox on Wednesday.

I guess all of this is to say I’m leaning into the idea that I can both celebrate myself and want to be better simultaneously!

I’m manifesting a year or two from now when my writing engine is running just as smoothly as my running one is.

✍🏽✨ Reflection Moment: Does this remind you of any engines you have yourself? Maybe it’s your workout routine, meal prep, reading ritual, meditation practice, or side hustle? Can you give yourself praise for something you’re doing well? Do you see any opportunities for growth either in that same arena, or another one? Don’t hesitate to message me if you want to chat about it!

RECENT BRIGHT SPOTS

Following up on last week’s theme, I wanted to share some recent bright spots!

This is your friendly reminder that your camera roll can be a great tool for presence. I know I’ve had a week of rushing when I have no photos to pull from, and a more grounded one when I do.

• I got to celebrate my niece’s birthday, go to her soccer game, and watch her score a goal!

• I saw this turtle in the wild (before said soccer game)

• I got to see my oldest sister who was in town from Western Mass

• I think I’ve already ticked off one of my June 10 because in just one week I consumed COPIOUS amounts of cake

• I got a new water bottle and have been significantly more hydrated in the last 2 days

NEW SUBSTACKS I’M READING 📖

For those looking to expand their Substack repertoire, two new Substacks crossed my desk last week that I think you might enjoy!

• A new Substack from Sabrina Palazzo - she is the founder of Source Method, my most favorite breathwork company and now a friend! If you haven’t had the pleasure of taking one of her breathwork classes just know she is all around good vibes so I’m so excited to see that transfer to the figurative page, and this platform. I highly recommend you join me!

• What the Hell is Well? from Ciara Lucas - Ciara is someone I do not know personally but have loved following on social media! She came across my Instagram desk during one of my marathon training blocks and I’ve come to enjoy her running vlogs, gear recommendations, and advice on all things wellness. She recently started a new Substack to create the digital wellness publication we’ve all been searching for. I hope you join me in following along!

💡 Request: Who am I missing? Are there any pages you’d recommend I add to my list? By now you know I love all things personal development, mindset, fitness/wellness/running, pop culture, and FOOD. Comment your favorite Substacks below!

Leave a comment

PODCAST REC 🎧

This week’s long-walk listen was when Gayle King sat down on Call Her Daddy with Alex Cooper.

I’m NGL, I was lured in by a juicy clip on Instagram that showed her her diving into the details of her divorce she’s never talked about before. That may have been what reeled me in, but what kept me engaged was the thoughtfulness of the conversation, her wise words on female friendship, and nuggets on how far hard work will take you. It’s worth the listen!

Irrelevant side note: He would NOT know me so this is probably embarrassing [but what else is this page for if not to embarrass myself??] but when I lived in LA I worked at a spin studio that no longer exists called FlyWheel and Gayle King’s son would take classes. Very handsome. Now very much married - we’re happy for him.

LAST WEEK’S QUOTE 💫

In case you don’t follow my notes, I started sharing weekly quotes and wanted to include this week’s here! This quote felt like the perfect chapter close to the Richard saga.

If you’re new this week, I recently shared a piece on getting stood up, and my sister started an investigative journalism TikTok series to track him down.

Although my sister had her fair share of fun on the hunt for “Richard”, we don’t actually expect an apology. I’ve given myself the closure I needed on that situation and am moving on to the next!

Sharing in case anyone else needed this quote this week! And if you haven’t watched the documentary on Jonah Hill’s therapist, Phil Stutz, I recommend you stop what you’re doing right now and watch it.

His commentary on shadow work had me weeping when I watched a few years ago. I think it’s time for a re-watch.

📺 Watch Stutz on Netflix

WHAT I WATCHED THIS WEEK 📺

Okay so I started the new Mindy Kaling show, Not Suitable for Work on HULU last week and here are my quick fire thoughts:

• Friendly reminder she is an EP, not in the cast

• I will be watching the entire season regardless

• It’s entertaining for sure

• I wanted it to stand up with The Bold Type and Younger and it just isn’t as captivating thus far. I get that it’s trying to be a different show - maybe more of a combo of the above and How I Met Your Mother - but something isn’t quite doing it for me in the same way. Only three episodes have come out, so I will let it breathe and report back.

• Maybe I just haven’t found the character that reminds me of myself yet? That’s usually the gateway for me feeling seen and obsessed.

• It’s giving more Freeform than HULU [I don’t even know what I’m trying to say with that since The Bold Type was on Freeform… but I feel like it surpassed Freeform standards, so maybe that’s what I’m saying. This feels on par - SORRY MINDY!!]

Did anyone else start yet? Let me know when you do!

CLAIM + MANIFEST ✨

Before we go, it’s time to put some good juju into our lives and the universe. Every week, we claim three things we’re in control of, and call in three things that we want the universe to help us out with!

Here are mine for the week:

• Three things I’m in control of:

  • Drinking 3x refills of my Hydrojug every day

  • Writing another essay this week

  • Helping my sister celebrate her 40th birthday!!

• Three things I’m manifesting:

  • I’ll get some positive news

  • My sister will have a great and fulfilling birthday

  • An awesome apartment will come to me in my search.

With that, I hope you have a great rest of your day and a bright week ahead!

Be it, beam it,

Olivia

Keep Reading: More Bright Light Content ✨

Bright Light Essays

• I got stood up

• A Letter to Myself the Day I Stopped Drinking

• How I turned a sh*tty day around

• I Didn’t Like Who I Was Becoming

• Four Limiting Beliefs I’m Unlearning This Spring

• SuccessFULL: when my old version of success stopped working

• Bright Light Birthday Lessons

Running Imitates Life

• 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Ran My First Marathon

If you’d like to support me and the Bright Light Blog…

• If this resonated, tap the heart — It’ll help other bright lights find this piece💛.

• Don’t forget to subscribe to my Substack so you receive all my new posts!

• Follow me on Instagram and TikTok @BrightLightLiv - you’ll find what I talk about here, and more!

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