What does your version of peace look like? Is it being in nature, soaking in the colors of the setting sun and sky? Do you envision yourself warm and cuddled in front of a fireplace? Or are you sweaty after hiking up a mountain, exhilarated by the effort you just exerted? To me, it’s being in the water, floating on my back and staring up at the sky, the sun dappling the backs of my eyelids.

Peace looks different to each of us. And I’m starting to think that peace is more important than happiness.

Think of it like this: if our emotions sit on a spectrum from the deepest sadness to the brightest joy, then the desire for happiness requires us to always be above the average. Consistent happiness requires work.

But if peace is the neutral point, then we don’t have to work quite as hard to reach our ideal emotional states.

To me, peace feels like a form of alignment. Surrounding myself with what I love, with what fuels me, with what makes me feel like the truest version of myself.

The same is true for you. You already know what brings you peace. All you have to do is listen to where that innate knowledge is leading you.

To-do list:

🌱 Walk outside barefoot

🌙 Buy yourself a new pair of pajamas

🍂 Put a weekend trip on the calendar for this fall

✅ Cross something off of your actual to-do list

📚 Visit a little free library

“Required” reading:

How to plan your own writing retreat (The Good Trade)

Is anyone else conflicted over Bobbi Brown’s new makeup line? (The Everygirl)

Loving this maximalist Chicago apartment (Apartment Therapy)

How cool is this funky little “archive” from the Oakland Public Library! (OPL)

An easy-to-use resource for finding B Corps (B Corp)

This week’s aesthetic: perfume

The heroine recommends: Rare Beauty

rarebeauty

A post shared by Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez (@rarebeauty)

Selena Gomez doesn’t miss. As someone who is painfully lazy with makeup, Rare Beauty gets my stamp of approval. Everything I’ve tried has been easy to use and looks effortlessly beautiful.

I love the pore diffusing primer for days when I want a clean base but don’t want to wear foundation. The Lip Soufflé in Fearless is my go-to lip product; it’s just enough color to look purposeful but still natural. I’ve also got a Sephora order on the way with the Kind Words lip liner and Soft Pinch blush.

Shop Rare Beauty

Click here to submit a recommendation!

A parting thought:

You deserve to feel rested, content, and at peace.

xx, Annie

Hello Heroine

#21: Pockets of peace 🌸