50 nice things to do for yourself

Including another meditative composition from Sam 🎶

Sep 06, 2024

Hi there,

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve landed in your inbox due to a much needed summer break after some defeating news. About a month ago, the FDA rejected MDMA as a new PTSD treatment. Things began going south in spring, if you’re curious about what exactly went wrong, you can check out The Trip Report or The New York Times — I won’t go into any details here.

For those of us who have invested much of our time working towards broad access (2+ years in my case, which is pale compared to the 30+ years of some Lykos members), this is an immense disappointment. It sets back the entire field. But most importantly, I grieve for all the trauma victims that could have found relief through this intervention over the coming years — now they have to wait, who knows how long.

It is because of the these difficult-to-digest news that I feel moved to share light-hearted self-care reminders today, inspired by a list from Ann Friedman I came across recently.

P.S. Your feedback Sam’s music was overwhelming (never before have so many of you engaged with something I shared), so #50 on this list is another piece from him for all of you who have asked for more. Enjoy!

50 nice things to do for yourself

Have a morning routine. Even if it’s simple. Something for the mind, the body, the soul.
Get a massage, or ask your partner or friend to give you one.
Give yourself a break from self-improvement.
Delete social media apps from your phone and restrict access to your desktop.
Have black out times for your phone, e.g. 9pm-8am.
Maybe don’t even bring the phone into the bedroom.
Read more fiction.
Plan creativity dates with yourself and try new arts and crafts projects every once in a while.
Have a noodle day at least once a month where you do absolutely nothing (except perhaps watch TV and order takeout).
Drink a little less, or maybe even go alcohol-free for a few weeks.
Write yourself a love letter.
Throw out the scale (and never look back).
Cook your favorite childhood meal and enjoy it without guilt.
Have the [ice cream/cookies/chocolate].
Create a little altar with sacred items in your home (e.g., pictures, candles, stones, a journal, art, incense).
Stop responding to most text messages immediately and relieve yourself from the false sense of urgency.
Try a new hobby.
Go on a walk.
Listen to a piece of music you love.
Try out low intensity movement such as yoga or pilates.
Read this book to understand yourself better.
Listen to this free, guided meditation when you crave connection.
Make boring chores as enjoyable as possible (e.g., schedule admin dates with yourself in a cute coffeeshops, clean with your favorite music in the background).
Declutter your closet.
Have more tea. (I’m obsessed with this one.)
Buy yourself a cute mug that sparks joy when you use it.
Do a friend or neighbor a favor.
Plan a weekend trip.
Pamper yourself with these cucumber eye patches.
Tidy your space more often.
Get a haircut.
Put your feet in the ground/grass/sand.
Start your day with five minutes of sunlight outside.
Keep one day a week completely free of plans and live into the day.
Get a pet (or watch one).
Put on an outfit that makes you feel great in your skin.
Jazz in the background. Always.
Get out into nature.
Light a candle for each meal.
Have a nourishing breakfast.
Change your screen saver to something that makes you happy.
Practice saying no, with joy.
If that’s hard, only commit to full body yes-es.
Ask your heart what it needs right now.
Treat self-care activities as non-negotiables (which may require scheduling them as if they were important work meetings).
Take a hot bath.
Embrace naps, any day of the week.
Watch a sunrise or sunset.
Seek time away from screens.
Let this mesmerizing 10-minute composition put you into a blissful trance, courtesy of Sam (enjoy with headphones, eyes closed, in a comfortable spot):