THE LIVING EDIT

We think of stress as something to manage, minimize, or better yet, avoid altogether. But as I was studying stress and its relationship to energy, I began to thinking of stress a little differently. What if the question isn’t simply how much stress we navigate, but what kind of stress is good, bad, or even neutral. This sent me down a rather fascinating rabbit hole about all things energy (which fuels every kind of stress), along with mitochondria, the biology of aging and even how energy shapes our homes. So that’s exactly what we’re getting into in this week’s Substack, “Do You Give Aging Energy?” It’s out now. Comment ENERGY below and I’ll send you the link. N B x

In the spirit of Halloween (and this dark political environment 🙈), here’s the least scary thing you’re going to see today. Black is beautiful. Happy Halloween, everybody. Stay safe out there! N B x

Feeling stuck is the worst. The opposite of you-know-what. Life is meant to move forward, to yes, have flow, so when it doesn’t, it’s a terrible feeling. At least it is for me. I get inside my head. I’ll go over and over an idea, looking for the answer, a different way of seeing something—anything that will get me moving again. If you’re like me, your head can start to feel like a broken record, the same thoughts going round and round. And ultimately, it just makes you anxious. And then you’re really stuck. I’ve found the only way to get unstuck and restore my flow and energy is to slice right through it. And through it means finding a way to move myself—and my mind—in the right direction. These are five things I come back to time and again when I feel myself losing momentum. Nothing revolutionary. Just remarkably effective reminders that getting unstuck doesn’t always require a big answer. Sometimes it just requires a little fresh perspective—or a different way in. N B x

There’s something incredibly freeing about being in flow. That feeling when things just click. When you’re not forcing, overthinking or trying to control every outcome. Including yourself. We think of flow as life force, ease, but it’s every bit as much about our identity and how we see ourselves too. It’s about how we move within ourselves. Staying grounded. All the while remaining flexible enough to grow. More on going with the flow of ourselves tomorrow on Substack, where we’re diving into FLOW STATE and how to cultivate more of it. NBx - - - [identity, go with the flow, Substack, wisdom, Life Architecture]

Your guide and my theory on what being creative is all about. Spoiler: It’s less about defining ourselves by what we do, or who we identify as, and much more about expanding our imaginations. Creativity is a mindset. A discipline or muscle even. It’s available to all of us, when we use it. This week on The Living Edit, I’m sharing my own approach to creativity, along with a taste of what’s inspiring me lately. Comment “CREATIVE” and I’ll send you the link to read. N B x

Life is a Grand Design Experiment. But what does that actually look like in practice? Designing your life is the driving principle behind Life Architecture. It’s about building a life that reflects who you are today and where you’re going tomorrow. Life Architecture isn’t only a framework—it’s a master plan for how to live. It’s the conscious choice to root yourself in what truly matters, align your actions with your values, and make room not only for the person you’re becoming, but for the environment you create around yourself. How do you define your life or inner architecture? - - - [reflection, thought, mindset, discipline, routine]