The Weekender 10/24/25
Sleep, a brick phone, a cure for depression and a worthy feel good TV binge.
Happy Friday! The Weekender is a short and sweet weekly pop-in meant to spread love, a sunny outlook, and maybe some cozy energy for a weekend NOT filled with booze.
SLEEP - Starting with the most important thing we can do for ourselves. It is no secret that I have been a terrible sleeper for decades and will try anything (any damn thing) to get a good night’s sleep, from heavy-hitting prescriptions to sound machines. I know everyone says their sleep gets better when they quit alcohol, and while yes, that is somewhat true for me too, it’s still not ideal. And when I hit perimenopause, there were nights when I was getting three hours max - which led to days full of anxiety, lethargy, temper flares, and literal tears. While I am past those nights (author knocks on wood), I feel I may be slowly finding my way to better and better sleep.
GABA 100mg + Melatonin 3mg-6mg, before bed.
I don’t stick to one thing or one stack because, like all supplements, I like to test them out on their own. So instead of adding more and more and more, I will try one (or two) sleep supplements at a time. I have been back and forth with melatonin and have learned that tiny doses work best for me. I just started GABA a few weeks ago, and I am finding that when I wake up in the middle of the night, it doesn’t take as long to fall back asleep. So GABA is a massive yes for me so far. That said, before GABA, I tried what people rave about, 5-HTP. I gave it about a week and stopped because I was feeling like crap in the mornings. I share this because not everything is for everyone, and trying is the only way to find out for sure.
*Reminder, I am not a doctor, and you should consult with your physician before trying any medications or supplements.
MEMORIES & HAPPINESS - I just returned from London, where I celebrated a childhood friend’s 50th birthday. It was all a surprise put on by her husband, which made it even more special. Before leaving for London, I told my husband I was excited to see some of my childhood girlfriends because I needed to be reminded of who I am. While I have dealt with anxiety, I’ve never dealt with depression. However, over the past few years, since COVID, I have felt more alone, which is very odd for me, because I have always enjoyed being alone. I realize now I took my younger years and my big community in NYC for granted. I am also realizing that not having a ton of close friends in this city, at this age, has definitely been the cause of these new feelings. Also, being away from family as they get older and their health starts to decline has made these feelings tenfold.
Because of these new feelings and dealing with loved ones’ health issues these past few months, I have been ruminating on a personal project I want to create that would require the help of friends & family to make it really potent. I ran this idea by one of my girlfriends while I was in London, and she thought it was pretty cool too, since she has been feeling the same.
So, all this to say is I was delighted when I came across this 16-minute video on HAPPINESS: A Cure for Depression because it solidified my idea, and this weekend I am finally starting it. Much more to share on this after I get into it.
In the meantime, this is a worthy 16 minutes of your time.
And here is a study for all us nerds! The Social Value of Positive Autobiographical Memory Retrieval.
A BRICK PHONE? - Is this the way to break our phone habit? Maybe! Here is an idea and a Kickstarter started by the same person who created the video above. I am definitely tuning into what Matter Neuroscience is doing. Would you pay $200 to carry around a 6-lb phone if it meant you just might break your phone addiction?
FEEL GOOD TV - Now listen, while I want to be more active in a bigger and closer community, I am not immune to also wanting to Netflix and chill. With cooler nighttime temps (even in LA), this weekend I am cozying up with my Minky Couture blanket and binge-watching season two of Nobody Wants This. Season one was one of the most heartfelt television series I watched last year. I can’t wait to snuggle in with my famous homemade popcorn. And if you like BTS on anything and everything, the Armchair Expert interview with Kristen Bell and Justine Lupe was charming and delightful.
Enjoy your life! Oh, and call one of your childhood friends and retrieve some of your core memories together!
Feel Good, MM.