Sunday Edition | August 24, 2025
- Olga Nesterova
- 3 minutes ago
- 5 min read
Because life is more than politics — and kindness still matters.
This Week: Self-Care
Hello and welcome to your Sunday deep breath. In today’s world of nonstop hustle, it’s easy to forget: self-care isn’t indulgent—it’s essential. It’s the quiet, responsible gift you give yourself so you can show up fully for others and for all the roles you carry—whether parent, partner, creative, leader, listener.
Let’s begin with a cultural snapshot from the week, then settle into ways to come back to yourself and nurture your whole being.
🎭 CULTURE SNAPSHOT
1. Dubai Chocolate Craze
Dubai chocolate—a milk chocolate bar filled with pistachio‑tahini cream and shredded knafeh—became a viral sensation after its 2021 debut by British‑Egyptian founder Sarah Hamouda. The trend exploded in 2024 via TikTok, triggering global demand and even inspiring a temporary pistachio shortage. Now, brands like Crumbl and Dunkin’ are launching their own takes, while debates over naming and authenticity continue.
2. Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl
Taylor Swift officially launched her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, scheduled for release on October 3, 2025. The announcement came on the New Heights podcast with Travis and Jason Kelce—her first-ever podcast appearance—where she revealed the cover art, tracklist, and title.
The album includes 12 tracks, featuring Sabrina Carpenter on the title track, and is co‑produced with Max Martin and Shellback. No deluxe versions—just one focused, glamorous collection.
A dazzling rollout featured orange‑glitter visuals, Easter‑egg teasers, and two limited vinyl variants—The Shiny Bug Vinyl Collection (released August 18) and Baby, That’s Show Business (dropped August 21)—each selling out within 48 hours.
The podcast episode smashed YouTube records with over 1.3 million concurrent live viewers and more than 10 million views in under 24 hours. It sparked a huge marketing wave dubbed “Swiftynomics”—from landmarks lit in orange to memes and branded tie‑ins across industries.
3. U.S. Open Takes Over NYC
The U.S. Open is in full swing in New York City. Top tennis stars like Novak Djokovic, Iga Świątek, and Coco Gauff are among the favorites to lift the trophies this year. You can watch the US Open on ESPN, ABC, and Tennis Channel in the United States. For streaming, use the ESPN app for live matches and the ESPN+ service, which also offers a Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ bundle for sports fans. Live TV streaming services like Fubo, Sling TV, and Hulu + Live TV also provide access to the necessary channels.
Plus, our team was granted exclusive access to behind-the-scenes practice sessions—with a highlight video just for you.
4. American Hiker Survives in Norway
An American hiker was found alive in the Norwegian wilderness after enduring a week with no food, no water, and a broken leg. Rescuers located him at the 7-day mark thanks to a flare signal. The hiker was stabilized in the field and airlifted to a nearby hospital—where he is now recovering, credited to sheer resilience and timely search efforts.
5. Beyoncé’s Emmy Win for “Beyoncé Bowl”
Beyoncé earned her first Emmy for her extravagant Beyoncé Bowl halftime show, which streamed live on Netflix on Christmas Day. The performance captivated millions with its cinematic staging, bold choreography, and striking visuals—earning recognition not only for artistic excellence, but also for its bold delivery during a high-stakes live broadcast.
🫶 LET'S TALK ABOUT SELF-CARE
What Is Self-Care?
Self-care is the intentional practice of tending to your own well-being—mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. It’s not indulgent or selfish. In fact, especially when you’re caring for others—loved ones, career responsibilities, relationships—it’s an act of responsibility. Think of self-care as the root that supports everything else you do.
💪 FOR THE BODY
Why it matters: Your body carries you through life’s joys and challenges. Giving it rest, nourishment, and movement builds resilience, mood, and clarity, equipping you to meet each day more fully.
5 Body-Care Tips
Move with joy: Whether walking, stretching, dancing, or yoga, let movement feel nourishing—not obligatory.
Honor sleep: Establish a restful routine to recharge and regulate both energy and mood.
Hydrate & nourish: Prioritize whole foods and water to replenish body and mind.
Schedule mini-breaks: Even short pauses—closing your eyes, deep breathing—can reset your rhythm.
Mindful pampering: Soothe yourself with a warm bath, gentle massage, or aromatherapy.
LET'S COOK
Recipe Corner: Cheesy Comfort Crunch Sandwich
Ingredients:
2 slices of sourdough (or your preference)
Butter or olive oil
Sharp cheddar and mozzarella
Thin apple slices (optional, for brightness)
Grainy mustard or honey-mustard
Directions:
Butter one side of each bread slice.
Heat a pan over medium. Place one slice (buttered side down), layer cheeses, apple (if using), and mustard.
Add second slice (buttered side up). Grill until golden and cheese is oozy, flipping carefully.
Slice and enjoy the perfect harmony of crunchy, creamy, and tangy.
FOR THE MIND
Why it matters: Your mind is your inner compass—calm, cared-for thought leads to clarity, creativity, and connection.
5 Mind-Care Tips:
Mini mindfulness: Even 1-minute breathing breaks recalibrate your stress gauge.
Unplug intentionally: Set boundaries from screens and media to restore mental space.
Journal or doodle: Let thoughts flow—no pressure, just expression.
Feed your curiosity: Read, learn, or explore something new to invigorate your mind.
Nurture connection: A heartfelt call, message, or meet-up can uplift you and others.
🌿 DID YOU KNOW?
The Vagus Nerve
What it is: the vagus nerve is the longest cranial nerve in your body, running from your brainstem all the way down through your neck, chest, and into your abdomen. It’s part of your parasympathetic nervous system—the “rest and digest” system that balances out the “fight or flight” stress response.
Why it matters: think of the vagus nerve as your body’s calm button. It helps regulate heart rate, digestion, breathing, and even inflammation. A healthy, responsive vagus nerve is linked to better stress management, improved mood, and stronger immunity. When it’s under-activated, stress, anxiety, and burnout can take a greater toll.
How to calm it down (and activate it):
Deep, slow breathing – Inhale deeply into your belly and exhale longer than you inhale.
Humming or singing – The vibration gently stimulates the vagus nerve.
Cold exposure – Splashing your face with cold water or ending your shower with 30 seconds of cool water can activate it.
Gentle movement – Yoga, stretching, or tai chi calm the nervous system.
Laughter and connection – Talking with loved ones, hugging, or even a good laugh signals safety and relaxation to the vagus nerve.
Takeaway: By tending to your vagus nerve, you’re not just soothing stress in the moment—you’re training your body to return to balance more easily, protecting your long-term health and resilience.
FOR THE SOUL
📖 Book Recommendation of the Week
Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed—a moving collection of advice, healing, and humanity that cradles your heart.
🎬 3 Soulful Movies
Amélie – magical realism that celebrates small joys.
The Darjeeling Limited – quirky, introspective with gentle humor.
Before Sunrise – intimate, poetic, and full of life-affirming conversation.
😀 HAPPY MOMENTS
Videos guaranteed to make you smile.
🕊️ CLOSING WORDS
Recognizing the need for self-care is the first act of kindness you can give yourself. In a world that's always “on,” it’s easy to lose sight of our own needs. Here’s permission: pause, breathe, refill. Your well-being isn’t optional—it’s the grounding force of everything you do. So set your intention today—and let your actions follow. You deserve it.
As always—Stay ONEST.
O.N.
Happy Sunday —And remember, life is more than politics.
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