Why I disappeared last week, the dual climates we're all navigating right now, and the permission slip to adjust your expectations for this season.

Quick note: I'm renaming this newsletter Friend to Friend to better reflect that while I run The Lighter Evolution™ GLP-1 program, this weekly letter covers all things wellness—not just one slice of it.

I didn't send a newsletter last week.

And honestly? I thought about just pretending it didn't happen. Jump back in with some carefully curated content or whatever wellness topic felt "on brand." But here's the thing: one of my core approaches as a coach is cutting through the BS and maintaining authenticity. So let me be real with you.

I've been exhausted. Not the kind of tired that a good night's sleep fixes. The bone-deep, nervous-system-level exhaustion that comes from navigating... well, gestures broadly at everything.

Even Coaches Need to Reset

A fact about wellness professionals: we're not immune to the world. We don't have a special shield that protects us from political anxiety, seasonal slumps, or the very human need to occasionally hide under a blanket with pizza, wine and Netflix.

There's a dangerous narrative in the wellness space that coaches have it all figured out - that we're perpetually balanced and always practicing what we preach. That's harmful BS that keeps people feeling like they're failing when they're just being human.

The truth is: I'm navigating the same challenging seasons you are - both literally and metaphorically.

The Climates We're In

We're weathering two storms simultaneously:

The Political Climate: If you've been feeling on edge or anxious lately, you're not alone. The American Psychological Association consistently shows that the political climate ranks as a top stressor for Americans. When we're constantly exposed to threatening information, our nervous systems respond as if it's an immediate threat. Endless news alerts and social media chaos keep many of us in chronic activation - our bodies doing what they're designed to do, except we're not designed to stay in that state indefinitely.

The Seasonal Climate: Meanwhile, we're deep into winter. Our bodies know what season we're in: reduced sunlight decreases Vitamin D and impacts mood, increased melatonin production makes us biologically primed to slow down, and lower temperatures make our bodies work harder. About 5% of people experience clinical Seasonal Affective Disorder, but subclinical symptoms - lower energy, increased carb cravings, mood shifts - affect many more of us. This isn't laziness. It's biology.

What We Can Actually Do About It

First, we stop pretending everything should feel normal. Because it's not.

Here's a framework I've been using: Control, Influence, Accept.

What We Can Control:

Our Nervous System: Vagal toning exercises (humming, singing), movement that feels good, and breathing practices (box breathing: 4 counts in, 4 hold, 4 out, 4 hold) give your body evidence that you're safe right now.
Our Information Diet: Research shows checking news 2x daily versus constant monitoring significantly reduces anxiety without decreasing civic engagement. Set specific times, unfollow accounts that activate without informing, and notice how consumption makes you feel.
Our Daily Rhythm: Go to bed earlier, move your body in ways that match your energy, eat foods that feel nourishing, and build in more rest. It's biological wisdom, not laziness.

What We Can Influence:

Our Communities: "Collective effervescence" - the energy from gathering around shared experiences - significantly boosts resilience. Have actual conversations, support your community in small ways, and engage in values-aligned action. Agency is one of the most protective factors for mental health during difficult times.

What We Need to Accept:

The weather, many political realities, our body's seasonal responses, and that this is genuinely challenging. Acceptance doesn't mean resignation - it means acknowledging reality so we can work with it.

Practical Strategies

Get Sunlight When You Can: Even on cold days, expose yourself to natural sunlight when it appears - even through a window. Those brief moments help regulate your circadian rhythm and boost mood. Take your morning coffee near a window, step outside during lunch, or position your workspace to catch whatever light is available.

Vitamin D: Most of us are deficient in winter. Talk to your doctor about 2,000-4,000 IU daily supplementation.

Adjust Your Movement: Stop forcing HIIT workouts if your body is asking for gentle yoga. Winter is excellent for restorative practices.

Boundaries With Compassion: It's okay to say no to depleting obligations, take breaks from charged conversations, skip workouts for sleep, eat comfort food without shame, and not be "on" all the time.

Self-Compassion as Strategy: Kristin Neff's research shows self-compassion is more effective for long-term behavior change than self-criticism. Ask yourself: "What would I say to a friend going through this?" Then say that to yourself.

A Permission Slip

✓ Adjust your expectations for this season
✓ Move slower without calling it laziness
✓ Rest more without calling it weakness
✓ Feel the heaviness without thinking something is wrong
✓ Take imperfect action instead of waiting for perfect conditions
✓ Be "good enough" instead of striving for optimal

Why I'm Telling You All This

I'm not sharing this to be self-indulgent. I'm sharing it because authenticity matters. Because cutting through the noise means being honest about what's real. And because if you've been feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or like you're failing at wellness right now - you're not.

You're navigating two challenging climates simultaneously while trying to work, parent, maintain relationships, and maybe also batch-prep healthy meals like Instagram told you to. That's not a small thing.

As for my newsletter schedule? I'm still figuring it out. What I know is this: when I show up here, it's going to be genuine. Not AI-generated topics or perfectly curated content that sounds good but feels hollow. It's going to be real insights, honest reflections, and evidence-based strategies for navigating whatever season we're in.

Some weeks that might mean a full article. Some weeks a shorter check-in. And some weeks, I might need to take a beat and remember that sustainable wellness isn't built on relentless consistency. It's built on showing up authentically, even when (especially when) it's messy.

We're all just weathering the storm as best we can. Let's do it with a little more honesty, a lot more self-compassion, and the understanding that adapting to harsh seasons isn't weakness - it's wisdom.

Stay warm (literally and metaphorically),
Sally

P.S. If you're reading this from the Southern Hemisphere while enjoying actual summer and wondering what on earth 20 degrees Fahrenheit even means (it's -6°C and thoroughly unpleasant, for the record) - hello! While you might not need the vitamin D right now, I'm guessing the political exhaustion and need for authentic, BS-free wellness approaches still resonates. Plus, you get to bookmark this for your winter in six months. You're welcome. 😉

Weathering the Storm: Finding Your Rhythm When Both Climates Feel Heavy