With so many people having to move during the global pandemic (especially students now doing school virtually), I was angered at the inaccessibility of most furniture companies. Shouldn’t cultivating a cozy home be more affordable? Are there brands that make furniture that we love and are values-aligned with the home we are trying to create? These questions guided me through a late-night internet search and ultimately led me to Russet, a female-founded DTC furniture brand (a rarity in the industry) passionate about mental health.

“SAY IT AGAIN 👏🏼 our newest episode includes special guest @nadyaokamoto founder of @periodmovement ✨ Kelsey dives deep with our special guest to address cancel culture and how it has taken a mental health toll on Nadya. After facing her own backlash this year, Nadya had two choices, let the cancel culture define her or DO THE WORK 🙌🏼 Nadya has been named Teen Vogues 21 under 21, Forbes 30 under 30, and GLAMOUROUS Women of the year for her work in female health. So what’s next for Nadya? 🤔”

Getting to know my body, and learning to love her 💕 This summer I learned that my complex PTSD is accompanied by dissociation and depersonalization. Before this more specific diagnosis, I had never heard these words in the content of mental health before, but the added vocabulary brought me an unexpected sense of calm. Finally I had words and an explanation for these things I have felt for as long as I can remember — dissociating from the present, and feeling like I’m watching my life happen on a movie screen; and experiencing so much anger at and shame with my body that I start to feel numb and empty…

Stress, anxiety and PTSD… These are things I wake up with every morning. But they don’t have to follow me into my day. Here’s a wake-up routine that’s been working for me.