Hey Muses! 
 
I took a summer break! June and July have been busier than ever at both/all my jobs, so instead of throwing together a crappy newsletter, I took time away. BUT I'M BACK! 🤪 
 
Over the past year, I've been slowly traveling down a rabbit hole about sustainable/slow/ethical fashion. Every year I've gotten more and more curious: I see the Shein and Temu haul TikTok videos. Every influencer has a LTK (Like To Know) stores in their bio- on every platform and over the past 4 months, GRWM videos are everywhere. 
 
I'm always left wondering … why? Why do we care what you're wearing every day? Why do you need 3-8 new bathing suits every year? Why are we obsessed with cheap, fast fashion? 
 
When I think about wellness and its many dimensions, our fashion choices are indirectly related -- like wellness' baby cousin that's always hanging with the older cousins. There are huge environmental concerns (carbon emission, water pollution), potential physical wellness concerns, as people were getting physically ill because of clothing dye; and I'd add that financial wellness is a concern, too. If a person goes hard on “retail therapy,” then let's add mental wellness in that mix.  
 
All this to say, sustainable/conscious/ethical/slow fashion is something I'm learning about, and I know purchasing sustainable fashion won't outweigh celebs taking a private jet for 20 minutes, but like composting, it's something in my reach that I can do and want to do.
  
♥️
 
xo,
Jordan

 
Wellness Corner
 
Physical Wellness: Scientists are FINALLY admitting that Body Mass Index (BMI) is a poor way to measure a person's health and obesity. BMI is a ratio of a person's height and weight. Here's a very nerdy article about it, but this is the short and dirty: BMI was developed using data from White men (only). BMI doesn't distinguish between muscle, fluids, fat or tissue. Often, it's used as the sole metric to determine eligibility for life insurance or certain surgeries. It's been problematic.
 
Mental Wellness: I started individual therapy again after 4-ish years. I've (we've) done marriage counseling, but I needed that something for me. Finally got around to searching in May and started in June. My therapist is in-network 😲. This is a soft encouragement that therapy is for anyone. Search/date around until you find someone that works for you. Psychology Today is the only website I've had success with. Unpack, relearn and heal with a therapist/counselor. 
 
Financial Wellness: I'm on a quest to do more low- to no-cost activities when I go out. Free concerts, hikes, picnics, museums, etc. What's your fav low/no-cost activity? 
 
Social Wellness: One thing I'm constantly thinking about is friendships and if I peel another layer, I'm often thinking about my ever changing relationships with friends: What more I can do? What do I want from my friendships? Who I need to let go? With every new chapter in life, friends are somewhere in that story. When you need to distance yourself, how do you do it? If you are feeling neglected, how do you express yourself? 
 
 QOTM:  When you're 85 years old, how do you know you have had a successful life?  
 
Remember: 
Wellness includes physical, occupational, social, financial, mental/emotional, spiritual, and creative health. It's all about balance!
🏆
That's your wellness corner!

Sustainable Fashion Corner
Below are articles, lists and podcasts about the sustainable fashion space. If you're learning more about this topic or would like to learn together, let me know! I'm new here. 
There's so much out there and so many opinions. If this is something you care about or want to know more about, start here and do a bit more digging. The images below are from an IG account I follow: Women of Color Collective in Sustainability ♻️♻️

Have an amazing end of your August!
Jordan
Instagram
Facebook
LinkedIn
spotify
Did someone  forward this to you? 
So glad to have you! Subscribe here.