37 Reminders

As a former mental health researcher, here’s the emotional wellness advice I need to hear on my 37th birthday.

The first flowers I saw bloom this spring. (Credit: The author, Emily P.G. Erickson)

I love to use my birthday as an opportunity to take stock. What went well last year? What do I hope for next year? What’s important to keep top of mind? So when I turned 37 last week, I wrote 37 reminders to myself (mostly in service of emotional wellness). Maybe they’ll help you too?

1. If you’ve been avoiding something, that’s probably a clue you actually need to do the opposite. I know it’s hard, but breathe deep and look directly at whatever is bothering you. You’ve got to see problems directly to solve them properly.
2. Relatedly, a real, specific problem is usually more manageable than a hypothetical, vague one.
3. Sometimes you have to say something more than once to be heard. It’s no one’s fault — just a function of back-and-forth communication. If something is important, don’t drop it too quickly.
4. Eating plants feels good.
5. You get grumpy and feel crummy if you go too long without eating. Always pack pistachios.
6. Ditto for drinking. Hydrate consistently throughout the day. A huge glug in the evening ain’t it.
7. You tend to take on too much. Stay alert for early signs…