Flamingo Estate’s Fig Collection Smells Like a Love Poem on a Greek Island

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Flamingo Estate has a talent for making everyday rituals feel a little more transporting. Its newest collection takes us to the Greek island of Lesbos, where fig trees grow in the summer sun and the ancient poet Sappho once wrote about love, beauty and longing.

The Sappho Fig collection includes a candle and an exfoliating soap brick, both inspired by the scent of the whole fig tree not just the ripe fruit, but its green leaves, milky stems and bark. The result is fresh, earthy and quietly sensual, rather than overly sweet.

A Greener Kind of Fig Candle

The Sappho Fig Candle is made for anyone who loves fig fragrances but does not necessarily want their home to smell like fig jam.

It opens with the green, creamy scent of fig leaf, followed by ginger and cardamom for warmth. Sandalwood, soft woods and musk give it a grounded finish. It smells less like a dessert and more like sitting beneath a fig tree on a warm afternoon, with the leaves moving overhead and the sea somewhere nearby.

The eight-ounce candle is made with vegetable wax and a cotton wick, hand-poured in Los Angeles and housed in recyclable glass. SHOP HERE

The Soap Brick Brings the Beach Into the Shower

The Exfoliating Sappho Fig Soap Brick takes the same green fig scent into the shower, with white poppy seeds and Big Sur sea salt to gently buff away dry skin.

Its texture is pleasantly gritty, almost like warm sand, while kaolin clay helps cleanse and olive and babassu oils keep the skin from feeling stripped. The fragrance moves from fresh fig leaves and stems into cardamom, sandalwood and a soft hint of coconut.

At 12 ounces, it is a generously sized bar, and one that feels especially suited to summer skin after days spent in the sun, swimming or wearing layers of sunscreen. SHOP HERE

The Full Greek Island Mood

The Sappho Fig Duo brings the candle and soap together for $98, or $110 in a gift box. Light the candle before getting into the shower, use the soap to exfoliate and you have a very simple way to make an ordinary evening feel slightly more like a summer holiday.

What makes the collection stand out is its interpretation of a Mediterranean scent. Rather than relying on the usual mix of citrus and sea salt, Flamingo Estate leans into something greener, creamier and more unexpected. SHOP HERE

A Very Limited Fig Release for the Kitchen

The brand has also released a very limited-edition Noir Fig Balsamic Vinegar, made with Trebbiano and Lambrusco grapes fermented with pressed organic Calabrian figs and aged in oak barrels.

The balsamic is rich and tangy, with the natural sweetness of ripe figs and a subtle smoky depth from the wood. It can be drizzled over tomatoes, grilled fruit, cheese or salads, or reduced into a thicker glaze.

Flamingo Estate’s limited-edition releases have a way of selling out quickly, and this one is available only in a small batch. At $62, it is certainly more of a special pantry purchase, but if it has caught your attention, now is probably the time to try it rather than assuming it will still be around later.

Together, the candle, soap and balsamic turn the fig into a complete summer mood, one you can light, lather with and pour over dinner. SHOP HERE

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When to Take Your Child to the Doctor: 7 Signs Not to Ignore

If you’ve ever stood over your child at 2 a.m., thermometer in hand, wondering whether a fever warrants a call to the pediatrician or just a cool washcloth and a wait-and-see, you’re in good company. Most childhood coughs, rashes, and tummy aches resolve on their own, but knowing when something needs a doctor is one of the quietly essential skills of parenting, and it rarely comes naturally.

To help demystify that gray area, we turned to Dr. Angela Cabarcas, a board-certified pediatrician with Bluebird Kids Health. Her advice is refreshingly grounded: look at the whole child, not just the number on the thermometer. Below, she shares seven signs worth paying attention to.

7 Signs Not to Ignore 

+ Fever with Concerning Symptoms

The definition of fever is a body temperature of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher.  Fever itself is not necessarily a cause for alarm, but the circumstances surrounding the fever matter. Any baby under 3 months with a fever should be evaluated. For older children, a fever that lasts more than three days may deserve a visit to the doctor, especially if your child is not improving or develops new symptoms.  Also, a new fever in the setting of already being sick with a common cold can sometimes indicate a secondary infection like pneumonia or an ear infection. Fever plus neck stiffness or pain with urination are other reasons to contact your pediatrician.  I encourage parents to look at the whole child, not just the number on the thermometer.  If your child is happy and playful, it is okay to let the fever run its course without giving fever-reducing medication because a fever can actually help the body fight the infection better.

+ Difficulty Breathing

Nasal congestion can certainly make it difficult for a young child to breathe comfortably through their nose, but that is different from actually struggling to breathe. Look for signs that your child is working harder to breathe – belly breathing or retractions, when you can see the skin pulling in around the ribs or above the collarbone, indicate the child is using accessory muscles to breathe. Rapid breathing, persistent wheezing, blue/gray lips, grunting, struggling for each breath, or having trouble talking because of their breathing warrants immediate medical attention.

+ New Rash that is Worsening or Painful

There are numerous causes of rashes – irritation from touching something their skin didn’t like, bug bites, viral infections, or chronic conditions, like eczema, are just a few examples. Your child should see their pediatrician if they have a rash that is rapidly worsening, painful, swollen, or increasingly red. One simple trick can help you determine whether an area of redness is getting better or worse: carefully mark the outer edge of the redness with a pen and note the time. If the redness continues to spread beyond the mark, contact your pediatrician. Oozing or crusted sores can also indicate infection and may warrant an antibiotic prescription. Of course, any rash accompanied by difficulty breathing, swelling of the face or lips, or a child who appears seriously ill requires urgent evaluation.

+ Unable to Keep Down Liquids or Urinating Less Than Usual

Children can become dehydrated because they are losing too much fluid from vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating, but they also because they are simply not drinking enough. Sometimes a child refuses liquids because they have sores in their mouth or their throat hurts. It can be difficult for parents to see far back into a child's throat, so an examination by their pediatrician may help identify why drinking has become so difficult. If your child cannot keep liquids down or is urinating less than usual, contact your pediatrician so we can evaluate the level of dehydration and possibly prescribe medication to help alleviate nausea so your child can rehydrate effectively.

+ Severe or Unexplained Pain

Pain, particularly when it is severe, persistent, or worsening warrants evaluation. For example, sudden hip or knee pain without a known injury should be evaluated rather than simply assuming it is a minor muscle ache. Persistent abdominal pain that is becoming worse in intensity or frequency should be checked by their doctor.  If your child appears very ill, has difficulty walking, or has pain that is rapidly worsening, prompt medical evaluation is appropriate.

+ Concerns About Developmental Delays

You know your child better than anyone, and if you feel that they are not reaching milestones or have stopped progressing, please bring up those concerns with your pediatrician. The earlier we identify a developmental delay; the sooner we can connect a child with appropriate therapies and support.  Early intervention can lead to better outcomes. This is why routine well-child visits are so important. We incorporate developmental screening into those check-ups to identify delays as early as possible.

+ Change in Behavior or Unusual Fatigue

Finally, I always tell parents to trust their instincts when their child simply isn't acting like themselves. A sick child may understandably be tired, but there is a difference between needing extra rest and being unusually difficult to wake or move out of bed.  Pay attention if your child seems to tire much more easily while doing activities that were previously easy for them.  If your child is difficult to arouse, confused, or not responding normally, they should be evaluated urgently.

As a pediatrician, I don't expect parents to know exactly what is causing every symptom their child experiences; rather, I want parents to notice the change and seek help when their instincts tell them that something is wrong. When in doubt, call your pediatrician's office so your child's medical team can help determine whether you should monitor symptoms at home, schedule an appointment, or seek urgent care.

Dr. Angela Cabarcas is a board-certified pediatrician with Bluebird Kids Health

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Wildling Just Opened Its First-Ever Studio in Santa Monica

Some beauty brands are meant to live on your bathroom shelf. Wildling has always felt like it should have a world of its own.

Wildling just opened its first-ever physical space, a modern ritual destination tucked inside Santa Monica’s iconic Frank Gehry-designed Edgemar complex, created to bring the brand’s philosophy of intentional touch, skin health, and whole-body wellness to life.

We’ve been following Wildling for years. Back in 2023, we featured its cult-loved Moonbounce moisturizer in our guide to the beauty benefits of sea moss. A year later, the Empress Stone made our editors’ weekly favorites, and last year we sat down with co-founders Gianna De La Torre and Jill Munson for a deeper conversation on gua sha, lymphatic health and slow beauty before tapping them again for our guide to lymphatic drainage using gua sha.

So, yes, a Wildling IRL was bound to get our attention.

A Gua Sha Ritual, But Make It IRL

Part shop, part treatment studio and part neighborhood wellness hangout, the new Wildling Studio is less traditional beauty store and more physical extension of the rituals the brand has been teaching from the beginning.

You can shop the signature Bian stone gua sha tools and skincare in person, but the more interesting part is everything happening beyond the shelves. The studio offers skin consultations, hands-on gua sha education and 30-minute express facial rituals designed around three very relatable objectives: Sculpt, Depuff and Release.

Sculpt combines gua sha, lymphatic massage and Wildling skincare to lift and revive the complexion. Depuff focuses on lymphatic flow and that wonderfully specific problem of waking up looking a little more swollen than expected. Release works into tension held through the jaw, neck and face—which, frankly, sounds particularly relevant after one too many hours staring at a laptop.

More Than A Facial Studio

What makes the space feel especially Wildling, though, is the idea that it isn't simply somewhere to pop in for a facial.

The brand is building the Studio as a gathering place for workshops, masterclasses, private gua sha sessions and intimate wellness experiences, with programming that extends into lymphatic health, facial massage, movement, meditation and energy work.

It makes sense for a brand that has always positioned skincare as something you practice, rather than something you simply apply. The tools may be the entry point, but slowing down enough to actually use them has always been part of the assignment.

And now there’s somewhere to learn how.

Consider This Our New Santa Monica Beauty Stop

You can watch a hundred gua sha tutorials on your phone, but having someone actually show you the correct angle, pressure and sequence is a different experience altogether. As Wildling’s founders have previously told us, one of the biggest gua sha mistakes is surprisingly simple: using way too much pressure.

The Wildling Studio gives the brand a place to teach all those tiny details in person while creating the kind of slower, more tactile experience its products were designed around in the first place.

Find the Wildling Studio at 2443 Main Street in Santa Monica’s Edgemar complex, and explore current treatments, workshops and upcoming events online.

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7 Healthy Snacks to Keep in Your Bag for Busy Days

Some days, lunch is a proper meal. Other days, it is whatever you can find between meetings, errands and the moment you realize you have been running on coffee since 8 a.m.

Keeping a few genuinely satisfying snacks in your bag can prevent that very specific kind of hunger that makes a vending-machine pastry look like a sound nutritional decision. The best options are portable, made with thoughtful ingredients and substantial enough to carry you through until your next actual meal.

From protein-packed chips and sprouted nuts to a better bar and something sweet, these are the healthy snacks worth keeping within arm’s reach when the day refuses to slow down.

WILDE Protein Chips and Protein Crackers

Most chips are excellent at providing crunch and less successful at doing anything about hunger. WILDE takes a different approach, making its Protein Chips from chicken breast, egg whites and bone broth for 10 grams of protein per serving.

The brand’s oven-baked Protein Crackers are made with chicken breast and aged cheese and provide 12 grams of protein per serving. Flavors include Classic Cheddar, Smoked Gouda, Buffalo Cheddar and Hot Honey.

Keep the Himalayan Sea Salt Protein Chips nearby when you want something simple, or reach for the Classic Cheddar Crackers when snack time is starting to look suspiciously like lunch. Packing both is not overdoing it. Our favorites are the smoked gouda protein crackers and the sea salt & vinegar chips. 

Cult Crackers Classic Seed Crackers

Cult Crackers are for anyone who wants something crunchy but would prefer that their crackers contribute more than a small avalanche of crumbs at the bottom of a tote.

The organic, gluten-free crackers are made with six different seeds and baked with coconut oil. They are crisp, savory and substantial enough to eat on their own, without tasting like the kind of overly virtuous snack you immediately regret buying.

Pair them with an almond-butter packet for more staying power, or keep a pouch at your desk for the afternoon moment when lunch feels like a distant memory and dinner is still nowhere in sight.

Daily Crunch Cinnamon Churro Sprouted Nuts

Nuts are one of the easiest snacks to keep on hand. They are also, occasionally, about as exciting as reading the terms and conditions.

Daily Crunch’s Cinnamon Churro Sprouted Nuts combine almonds and cashews with cinnamon, coconut sugar and vanilla. The brand soaks, sprouts and slowly dehydrates its nuts, giving them a lighter, crispier texture than standard roasted varieties.

The individual packs are especially useful for keeping in a work bag, car or desk drawer. They deliver the convenience of a basic handful of almonds with considerably more personality.

IQBAR Plant Protein Bars

A protein bar is the emergency contact of snacks: easy to ignore until your schedule falls apart and the last real thing you ate was breakfast.

IQBAR’s plant-based bars contain 12 grams of protein, six to eight grams of fiber and just one to two grams of sugar. They are also gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free and made without seed oils.

Lemon Blueberry feels fresh and less dessert-like, while Salted Caramel Chip, created with chef Thomas Keller, is the better choice when you want your practical snack to have a little more going on.

Keep one somewhere easy to reach. A bar buried beneath a laptop, charger and three lip balms is technically storage, not preparedness.

Hu Dark Chocolate Bites

A healthy snack list should still leave room for chocolate. Otherwise, we are all just pretending the mid-afternoon sweet craving is not coming.

Hu Dark Chocolate Bites are individually wrapped and made with a short ingredient list, without refined sugar, sugar alcohols, soy lecithin or emulsifiers. The small format makes them easier to keep in your bag than a full chocolate bar, which tends to become either a melted situation or an accidental single serving.

The Cashew Butter and Pure Vanilla Bean flavor gives you a creamy center wrapped in dark chocolate and feels indulgent enough to satisfy a craving without turning snack time into a full dessert commitment.

Artisana Organics Raw Almond Butter Packs

A packet of almond butter is the quiet overachiever of the snack world. It takes up almost no room, requires no preparation and can turn an apple, banana or handful of crackers into something far more satisfying.

Artisana’s Organic Raw Almond Butter is made with raw organic almonds and contains no added sugar, oils or salt. Eat it with fruit, pair it with Cult Crackers or go directly from the packet when the day has reached that point.

Just knead the pouch before opening so the natural oils are properly mixed. Doing this after opening is how a healthy snack becomes an accessory emergency.

Cure Hydration Sticks

Hydration is easy to remember in theory and strangely easy to neglect once the day gets busy. Cure’s individual drink-mix sticks make plain water a little more appealing without requiring another bottled beverage rolling around in your bag.

The electrolyte mix is made with coconut water powder, pink Himalayan salt and real fruit, with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners. Add one to your water bottle at the office, after a workout or whenever your afternoon headache may actually be your body asking for something other than more coffee.

Keep a few on hand rather than one. The moment someone sees you mixing yours, there is a strong chance they will ask whether you brought an extra.

The Busy-Day Snack Formula

You do not need to carry enough food to survive a minor emergency. A useful snack stash simply covers a few basics: something savory and protein-rich, something with fiber or healthy fat, something sweet and an easy hydration option.

WILDE handles the salty craving, Cult Crackers and Daily Crunch bring crunch and staying power, IQBAR steps in when you need something more substantial, Hu covers the inevitable chocolate craving, Artisana makes fruit or crackers feel like a real snack and Cure helps you remember that water still exists.

A little preparation can save you from spending $14 on something you did not really want simply because it was the only option nearby. More importantly, it keeps a busy day from becoming a hungry one.

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In the Kitchen With Rachel Mansfield: On Family Cooking, Smart Shortcuts and More, Please!

What began as a side project sharing recipes online became a full career after an unexpected turning point. While working in PR, Rachel Mansfield was fired because her food blog was considered a conflict of interest. Within months, she began to realize that the thing she had been building on the side could actually become something much bigger.

More than a decade later, she has grown a community of more than 1.5 million around approachable, healthyish recipes made for real life. Now a mom of three boys, Mansfield brings that same practical approach to More, Please!, her new cookbook inspired by the way busy families actually cook.

We caught up with Rachel to talk about building and sustaining her brand, the recipes she makes on repeat, and the kitchen staples, shortcuts and cooking advice she relies on most.

In the Kitchen with Rachel Mansfield

Your career took an unexpected turn when you were fired from your PR job because your recipe blog was considered a conflict of interest. At that point, did you have any sense that the blog could become a real career, or did that realization come later? How long did it take before you felt like, “Okay, this is actually working”? I never expected my passion for making healthy recipes would turn into a full fledged career - I just loved bringing people along as I tested and tinkered with the recipes I was making in my spare time to feed myself and my husband at the time. Being fired forced me to see where this thing could go, and where I’m at today definitely didn’t happen overnight. I hustled like crazy over the last 10+ years and have said yes to a lot to get me here today. I gave myself 6 months, and quickly realized -  this wasn't just paying the bills, it was actually becoming a viable career. Looking back, getting fired was one of the best things that ever happened to me.

How has your own cooking philosophy changed as your life has changed from cooking and creating recipes for yourself to now feeding a family with three young boys? When I first started developing recipes, I was cooking for just myself and my husband. I could take all the time in the world to make dinner. And I didn’t need a larger portion. Now? Absolutely not. Between my three boys, multiple businesses and a husband with celiac, my recipes have to be realistic within our busy schedules, delicious AND ensure the kids are getting some extra nutrition in. My entire way of meal planning had to change. In making my weekly shopping list and recipe plan of action I ask myself: can I make this on a Tuesday after sports? Can I prep it ahead? Can I use fewer dishes for less clean-up?  If it’s a meal from me - it has to be convenient and delicious.

You’ve created recipes through so many different eras of food and social media and built a community of more than 1.5 million people. What do you think actually makes a recipe worth sharing now? And is there a recipe you have posted that surprised you most by absolutely taking off? People don't need another pretty, photo-ready recipe. They need one that's going to make their life easier while still being deeply satisfying. If a recipe saves time, uses ingredients people already have, feels exciting but isn't intimidating, that's what I find resonates the most now. One recipe that took me by surprise was my Thai Turkey Meatballs with Coconut Curry. I knew my family loved it, but I had no idea it would blow up and become one of my signature recipes. Years later people still tell me they make it every week, which is the biggest compliment!

On the flip side, is there a recipe you personally think deserves far more attention than it ever got? My Crispy Gluten-free Chicken Cutlets with Mustard Sauce!!!! I’ll never stop talking about this recipe. It’s like a real deal chicken cutlet but a bit healthier. I even use my sea salt cadootz as “breadcrumbs” to make these cutlets GF. I love using our crackers as breadcrumbs. They add flavor, protein and you can’t beat the ingredients. These cutlets taste like something you'd get at a gourmet restaurant and even those who aren’t gluten free love it. They’re so good on top of a salad, in a pasta, however!

Your new cookbook, More, Please!, is really built around the way families actually cook rather than neatly separating everything into traditional meal categories. What were you seeing people struggle with that made you want to organize the book this way? The biggest thing I kept hearing from my community, my friends and honestly from myself was, "I have a box of pasta...now what?" or "I have ground meat in the fridge and only 30 minutes. What can I make?" They wanted real solutions for busy weeknights using ingredients they already had at home, and they wanted those meals to actually be nutritious too. That's really what inspired the organization of more, please!. Instead of traditional cookbook chapters, I wanted the book to help answer the questions people are actually asking after a busy day. SHOP THE BOOK HERE

Okay, we have to make you choose: What are the three recipes from the book you think everyone should make first, and why? The One-Pot Chicken Pot Pie Pasta because it's probably the recipe I make most in my own house. It's basically impossible to mess up and everyone loves it. And has protein, is easily made gluten-free and doesn’t require much effort.

My Kinda Thai-ish Steak Noodle Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing is a personal favorite of mine. I make it at least 2x month. The dressing makes the whole dish come together and I pretty much always have a batch of it in my fridge!! And I teach you how to make a tender and flavorful steak in this recipe too.

And the Chocolate Chip Cookie Granola!!! I always have this in my fridge (yes - I keep granola in my fridge as you’ll see in my book). It has the ultimate crunch and stays fresh longer - not like this recipe lasts more than a few days though.. It is addicting. It’s also much healthier and lower in sugar compared to a granola from the grocery store.

Is there one recipe in More, Please! that feels especially personal to you or that you connect with most deeply? What makes that dish so meaningful to you? My Mama’s Ooey Gooey Apple Blondies are probably the most personal recipe in the book. It brings me back to my childhood when we’d go apple picking in the Fall and my dad would beg my mom to bake these cozy bars. When Jordan and I started dating more than 15 years ago, he immediately fell in love with them too. And to this day, whether it’s Fall or not, no big family meal is complete without them! We made them gluten-free now so that Jordan can enjoy them too! It was the hardest recipe in my entire book..

Let’s open your refrigerator. What are five things we would almost always find inside?

+ Cottage cheese - is my go-to to give recipes like baked goods, pasta sauces (you’ll see in the book!) and even pancakes for a sneaky protein boost.

+ Some sort of healthy-ish dessert that I’ve made for my kids that I end up sneaking bites of all week long.

+ My sesame ginger dressing and either my caesar dressing or ranch from my book!! We love dressings here and they’re too easy not to DIY and much healthier at home.

+ DIY homemade ketchup (recipe is in the book!). My kids basically drink this…)

+ Apples… I am obsessed and eat honey every single day. I’m not biased on the kind. I just buy whatever is largest and organic…

What are the pantry staples that make you feel like you can always pull together some kind of meal?

+ Full fat coconut milk is a must to have on hand - it's one of my favorite ways to make a dish creamy without making it feel heavy.

+ Gluten-free pasta - I like brown rice base usually for my pastas.

+ A gluten-free cracker to make toasted cracker breadcrumbs - crushing up cadootz makes for some incredible breading for chicken cutlets!

+ Bone broth - I add this to rice, pastas and more as you’ll see in my book! It’s my secret weapon to make a meal healthier.

What is one piece of cookware that is genuinely worth investing in? A good set of sheet pans, without a doubt! I use them almost every day. Whether I'm roasting vegetables, baking salmon, making an easy sheet pan dinner, it's one of the most versatile staples in my kitchen. And it’s often overlooked! Most people will buy whatever sheet pans they can find, but I’m telling you it’s worth investing in high-quality ones. A sturdy sheet pan heats more evenly, helps ingredients roast better and won't warp after a few trips to the oven.

What are your favorite food storage containers? I love glass containers for meal prep storage and easy reheating, stainless steel containers for kid’s snacks and lunches, and reusable ziptop bags for a great plastic-free alternative to on-the-go snacking.

What do you always keep in your freezer for the nights when the day completely gets away from you? Homemade meatballs! They freeze well, are always satisfying, and go well with just about any side you want to include with them. And my breakfast sandwiches - we are 100% a breakfast-for-dinner kind of crew!

When you’re cooking just for yourself and your family, what kinds of dishes do you naturally find yourself making most often? One-pot meals, sheet pan dinners, bowls, pastas and big salads. Anything that doesn't create a mountain of dishes and that leaves us with leftovers for lunch the next day is a win.

You spent years recommending packaged foods and reading ingredient labels before creating cadootz. What did you keep looking for in the snack aisle that you ultimately realized you were going to have to create yourself? I wanted a snack that I would feel good about giving kids - something made with real organic ingredients, enough protein to actually keep kids full and none of the fillers or shortcuts that had become so common. I kept cringing at what I’d find out there (even snacks billed as healthy) and eventually my husband and I looked at each other and said, "I guess we're going to have to make this ourselves!”

And finally: What are you making when you want everyone at the table to say, “More, please”? To me, "more, please" is really a mindset! I hope this book gives people recipes they'll come back to again and again, but more than that, I hope it helps make feeding themselves and their families feel a little less overwhelming. If I can do that, then I've done what I set out to do.

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Why Are We All So Lonely? A Therapist on How to Build Real Connection Again

We can text anyone at any time, follow friends through social media and order almost anything without speaking to another person. Yet all that access has not necessarily made us feel more connected. Modern life has made it easier to stay in touch, but also easier to postpone plans, multitask through conversations and lose the everyday interactions that help relationships deepen.

Loneliness does not always mean being physically alone. It can look like friendships becoming less consistent, plans that never leave the group chat or the feeling that everyone else is moving into a new stage of life without you. And as we have explored before, making friends as an adult can be surprisingly difficult when connection no longer happens as naturally as it once did.

We spoke with Bisma Anwar, MA, MSc, LMHC, a licensed mental health counselor, Talkspace therapist and member of Talkspace’s Clinical Council of Experts, about why connection feels harder to maintain and how we can begin rebuilding it.

We’re more connected than ever through technology, yet loneliness seems to be everywhere. From your perspective as a therapist, what is making real connection feel so difficult right now?

It can be difficult to feel genuinely connected when so much of our contact happens through technology. Texting and social media can give us small moments of connection, but those interactions are often squeezed in while we are multitasking. We may technically be communicating often without creating the kind of focused interaction that allows a relationship to feel deeper. It is one reason taking a closer look at our social media habits can be so important.

Are there certain behaviors or patterns you’re seeing that are quietly making people feel more disconnected without them realizing it?

We have become so busy that catching up with friends and family can start to feel like something we simply do not have time for. There are so many distractions competing for our attention, and they can accumulate over time. Eventually, it becomes harder to make concrete plans with the people in our lives or even respond to a text message with a thoughtful reply. The disconnection often happens gradually through these small moments of postponement.

Do you think modern life has made connection too easy to postpone? When we can work from home, order everything to our door and entertain ourselves endlessly, are we losing some of the everyday interactions that used to naturally create relationships?

Yes. Convenience has made it very easy to avoid being in direct contact with other people. We can use an app, send a text or rely on AI driven technology to complete tasks that once required us to interact with another person. Those exchanges may seem small, but as more of them disappear, we also have fewer natural opportunities to connect with people in our everyday lives.

Sometimes the hardest part of being single isn’t actually being without a partner. It’s feeling like society is increasingly structured around couples and families as you get older. How can single people create a sense of belonging when they feel like they no longer fit naturally into the lives around them?

A sense of belonging comes from the relationships we build with the people in our lives, including friends, family, coworkers and neighbors. It does not have to come only from a romantic relationship. Our lives can still feel rich and fulfilling when we take the time to build meaningful connections with the people who are actually around us, rather than focusing only on the connection we do not currently have.

What would you say to someone who looks around and thinks, “Everyone is building a life, and I’m still in the same place”? How can they determine whether they genuinely feel stuck or whether they are simply measuring progress against someone else’s definition of what moving forward should look like?

Start by asking yourself what you actually want your life to look like, not according to your age or a prescribed set of milestones, but according to what makes you feel content and fulfilled. That can help you recognize what growth looks like for you.

Comparing yourself to other people can make you feel as though you are falling behind, but everyone is following a different trajectory and timeline. Your progress should reflect what you want from your own life rather than someone else’s definition of moving forward.

For someone who feels lonely right now, what are the first few things you would actually recommend they do rather than simply telling them to “put themselves out there”?

Think about the people already in your life. Consider who you feel connected to, who you feel close to or who you would genuinely like to know better. Think about who shares similar interests with you, then approach that person and make a concrete plan to do something you would both enjoy.

If someone wants deeper friendships but does not know where to start, what are some practical ways to create more meaningful connections with the people already in their life?

Start by identifying one person you would like to know better or spend more time with. Reach out around something you already have in common, and allow that conversation to gradually build toward making plans. A deeper friendship does not have to develop all at once. Taking small steps can help foster a stronger connection over time.

For someone who has gotten used to spending a lot of time alone, how would you recommend gradually becoming more socially connected without making it feel exhausting or forced?

Begin by engaging in conversation and allowing yourself to be curious about other people. Pay attention to what they are saying and really listen, rather than focusing only on what you want to say next. Approaching conversations with genuine curiosity can help the interaction feel more natural and connected.

How can we get better at turning acquaintances into actual friends? Are there specific things people can do to move a relationship beyond occasional small talk?

Stay in regular contact instead of waiting for the next accidental interaction. Follow up when you talk about making plans, and ask for their advice or opinion about things that are important to you. Allowing the conversation to become a little more personal can help move the relationship beyond occasional small talk.

For someone who is single and feels their social circle shrinking as friends marry or have children, what can they proactively do to build a life that still feels connected and supported?

Be willing to venture beyond your existing friend group and look for people who are in a similar stage of life. Exploring hobbies can create opportunities to connect with people who share your interests. Most importantly, remain open to meeting new people and allowing new friendships to become part of your life.

The post Why Are We All So Lonely? A Therapist on How to Build Real Connection Again appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

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Living Well With Bozoma Saint John: On Health, Fertility, And Redefining What’s Possible

Bozoma Saint John has built a life and career defined by bold choices. From leading major companies and building her own brand to stepping into reality television, she has never been afraid of visibility, reinvention, or moving into a new chapter with intention.

Now, that same mindset is shaping how she thinks about health. Through her partnership with Hone Health, Saint John is looking more closely at what it means to understand her body, protect her energy, and make informed decisions around hormones, fertility, aging, and long-term wellness.

In this conversation, she shares how she is approaching this season of “intentional expansion,” why health data can be empowering, what fertility has taught her about options and support, and why women deserve to feel informed, confident, and fully in charge of the life they are building next.

Living Well With Bozoma Saint John

You are in such a full chapter right now, with work, love, health, family, and future plans all moving at once. How would you describe this season of your life? I would describe it as intentional expansion. There are a lot of moving pieces, but instead of trying to balance everything perfectly, I'm focused on being fully present for the things that matter most.

You’ve led major companies, built your own brand, and stepped into reality TV, all while continuing to evolve personally and professionally. What is your filter now before saying yes to something new? My filter is simple - does it align with my values, and does it add to my life instead of just filling my calendar? If the answer isn't a clear yes, I'm comfortable saying no.

You have built a career around trusting instinct, taking bold swings, and showing up fully. What made you decide to bring that same level of intention to your health through your partnership with Hone Health? I've always believed that the best decisions come from good information. Hone gave me real data about what was happening in my body, so I could stop guessing and start making informed choices about my health.

Through Hone Health, you checked more than 40 biomarkers. For women who have never looked that closely under the hood, what do you think is the most empowering part of seeing real data about your body? The data takes the emotion and uncertainty out of the conversation. Instead of wondering if something feels "off," you have information that helps you advocate for yourself with confidence.

What is one practical change you made after learning more about your body that improved your day-to-day energy? I became much more intentional about recovery instead of just pushing harder. Prioritizing sleep and paying attention to what my body actually needed made a noticeable difference in my energy.

What does "redefining what is possible" mean to you, especially when it comes to women in their late 40s, 50s, and beyond? It means refusing to let age define your ambition or your potential. This stage of life isn't about slowing down, it's about having the wisdom and confidence to do things on your own terms.

Fertility can look very different for every woman, whether that means trying naturally, IVF, donor eggs, surrogacy, adoption, or choosing a different path entirely. What do you wish more women knew about giving themselves permission to explore their options? There isn't one "right" path to building a family, and there shouldn't be shame attached to any of the options available. Give yourself permission to make the choice that feels right for your life, not someone else's expectations.

And when someone is navigating a deeply personal decision like that while also carrying a full life, career, family, grief, public visibility, and everything in between, support becomes so important. What kind of support has made the biggest difference for you in this chapter, and what do you think more women need but often do not ask for? I've learned that I don't have to carry everything alone. The biggest gift is having people who listen without judgment, and I think more women deserve to ask for help before they reach a breaking point.

You have said conflict resolution on RHOBH was different from business because not everything can be solved quickly. Has reality TV taught you anything useful about relationships, stress, or letting things sit instead of fixing them immediately? Absolutely. Not every situation needs an immediate response, and not every disagreement needs to end with everyone agreeing. Sometimes giving people (and yourself) space creates room for better conversations.

Your memoir is called The Urgent Life. How do you practice urgency today in a way that feels life-giving, not exhausting? To me, urgency means not postponing the things that matter most. It's about being intentional with my time, not constantly being busy.

What is one thing you know now that you think every woman deserves to know sooner? Your health is one of the greatest investments you'll ever make, so don't wait until something feels wrong to pay attention. The more you understand your body, the more empowered you'll be to make decisions that support the life you want to live.

Keep reading our Living Well series: Go inside Pamela Anderson’s refreshingly stripped-back approach to beauty and Sonsie, meet T3 CEO Julie Chung, and catch up with Lauryn Bosstick on refinement, routines, and what living well looks like now.

The post Living Well With Bozoma Saint John: On Health, Fertility, And Redefining What’s Possible appeared first on The Chalkboard Mag.

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