↓ In today’s email:

• This week’s inspiration: The butterfly effect of kindness

• Latest blog post: Building a body for the future

• What I’m watching: My favorite HRT

This Week’s Inspiration: The Butterfly Effect of Gentleness

This week, I treated myself to a great facial, and upon receiving that gentle touch, I had no idea I was so tightly wound. As someone who cares for others — both personally and professionally — I was seemingly not as chill as I thought.

But after minute after minute passed, as an hour went by of gently rubbing, scrubbing, exfoliating, masking, steaming, massaging... I drifted into another world and emerged so relaxed and so peaceful.

And that carried into my day.

I carried on a full conversation at A Market with someone who looked vaguely familiar. I bumped into a favorite client in the parking lot and gave her a hug. And then a friend of mine, having had an impossibly terrible week, needed some TLC. I cooked for hours for her, with so much warmth.

I guess this is the butterfly effect — a tiny change in the initial stages of a system causing huge, non-linear consequences elsewhere over time.

One hour of gentleness, and suddenly the whole day unfolded differently. More open. More warm. More present.

And it became abundantly clear that we need so much more kindness in our lives. In such a coarse world, we need kindness for each other — and even more, we need kindness and grace and sweet gentleness with ourselves.

Wishing that for you as we enter a new week. Peace and blessings. May there be beauty, grace, and kindness.

Latest Blog Post

Building a Body for the Future

Having been a college athlete 30 years ago, I have mostly stayed in motion — albeit gaining 70 to 80 pounds when pregnant. Now I’m rethinking my physicality, and not for how my body looks, but for what it can do. Not just now, but for the decades to come.

In this week’s post, I’m talking about sarcopenia, osteopenia, DEXA scans, and the 20-year plan I’m building — for skiing the Dolomites, hiking Mont Blanc, and maybe even the Inca Trail. I’m starting to lay new groundwork.

Tell me — are you reconsidering your physicality now? Has it changed in recent decades? If so, how?

Read the full post here →

What I’m Watching

HBO’s Heated Rivalry — My Favorite HRT

Heated Rivalry is a 6-episode sensual saga of love, longing, and downright sexiness between two NHL players. Note* Graphic sex warning. Your children should be asleep or in a different zip code when you watch this, maybe your husband too. It is a story of star-crossed lovers who, in the context of the hyper-masculine world of hockey, may have to suppress lust and an abiding love. It is also a story of self-discovery and realization, all of it unfolding against the backdrop of consequences that friends, family, the sport of hockey, and its fans might exact on these men for “being out.”

All heart and truly, all passion, there’s no shortage of naked bodies, thoughtfully sculpted. Think Mapplethorpe — (but not his flowers.)

This hit show has become a true sensation, particularly for women of a certain age. We are LOVING it. Actually, I think the word would be we’re obsessed.

Check it out and see if it makes you feel renewed and more alive and certainly more appreciative of love, in all its forms.

Here’s to gentleness, strength, and a really good TV obsession.

Dr. Catherine

Looking to book a session in my Newport Studio? If you are new to my practice, book a Free Consult or if you know what you want, reserve your spot for a One-on-One experience.

↓ In today’s email:

• This week’s inspiration: Looking through parted fingers

• Latest blog post: How to stay grounded in a hyper-speed AI world

• What I’m listening to / watching: 1800s England

This Week’s Inspiration: Looking Through Parted Fingers

Speaking of this week — it’s honestly been a doozy. Sometimes, almost like children, we look and then look away, wanting to know more about the world, but finding that the truth can be unbearable.

Children look at hard things through parted fingers, making a slit between them, catching a glance — and when it’s too scary, they close those fingers back together to cover their eyes. To not see. I think we as adults do something similar.

And when we see things that are upsetting, what are we supposed to do with all the negative energy it whips up within us?

One of my clients said she would release the negativity she felt in her body. So we talked about a Buddhist practice called Tonglen. Tonglen is about pulling darkness and suffering into your body, alchemizing it, and then — through the exhale — sending forth cool brightness and light. And then doing it again.

In my office, between clients, I did a number of these inhalations and exhalations, and found my shoulders dropping and peace settling into my mind.

And with those fingers slightly parted to feel hard things, I closed them — for that was enough — and dove into other such distractions, like the exciting world of handmade Latvian panties and a fantasy novel about magicians in England in the 1800s.

What we can see, and what we can’t bear to see — it’s a pendulum that swings back and forth.

Tell me how you’re processing. Tell me how you are.

Write back.

Latest Blog Post

How to Stay Grounded in a Hyper-Speed AI World

One thing we can count on is change, and we can see that happening in everything, especially the technology around us. While AI brings lots of perks for our lives, we also have to learn how to balance out our bodies through having this technology everywhere in our homes, offices, phones, computers, cars. Where’s the slowdown? Where is the integration? It’s where we make it.

If you’ve noticed a tight neck, racing thoughts, or shallow breathing after a long stretch at the screen — that’s your body telling you something. In this post, I talk about how ancient practices like Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and specific acupuncture points called “Window of the Sky” can reconnect you to your body after all that screen time. Plus, a simple end-of-day reset you can do at home — hand on heart, hand on belly, slow breathing.

Feel free to comment back with your experience. Love to hear. We’re all just figuring this one out.

Read the full post here →

What I’m Listening To / Watching

1800s England: Magicians & Detectives

This week my entertainment was all about 1800s England. Starting with — the audio version of Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke, which is a story of magicians in London society, and I’m loving the narration. The best part? I can keep it going while I run upstairs to do a load of laundry and come back — it doesn’t demand too much, just wonderful storytelling and harmonious background vibes.

I also just started watching Guy Ritchie’s Young Sherlock Holmes series, set in the same era, on Prime. Great costumes, and it’s fun to see his iconic direction — the freezes, the fast-forwards — the signature style from films like Snatch and Lock, Stock. Grateful for good entertainment and a big throwback.

Your pen pal,

Dr. Catherine

👇 In today’s email:

• This week’s inspiration: Opting in to beauty and kindness

• Latest blog post: Understanding cortisol and stress hormones after 40

• What I’m reading: What We See in the Stars by Kelsey Oseid

This Week’s Inspiration: Opting In to Beauty and Kindness

As I sit here, my tush cold on a stone slab, I hear the waves crashing beneath me. I can see the sparkles on the ocean, illuminating even the space behind my eyelids. The wind is gentle and cool, and the water laps below. Gracie, my dog, sits beside me. I strengthen my back and straighten up, lifting toward the sun, shoulders back, hoping to breathe every negative ion into every pore, washing away the residue.

I would be lying if I said we are not beleaguered. The wastewater of current news has been hard to bear, coupled with late February weather. That is why we yearn toward the light and beauty and the things that enliven us on the inside. Perhaps this week it’s art for you, or maybe it is the poetry of Rumi, Walt Whitman, or Mary Oliver — or the deep inhalations of crisp air.

In Jamestown, Rhode Island I’m loving the color of the water; it is turquoise and clear, perhaps because there are no boats spouting bilge. Everything seems cleansed and clarified by the cold air.

Where are you finding beauty? And how is it serving you?

Understanding Cortisol & Stress Hormones After 40

If you’re feeling less stress-resistant, it’s not just the times we live in. As progesterone declines in perimenopause, you lose your body’s natural calming buffer – and cortisol actually rises during the menopausal transition. So if you feel like you can’t handle what you used to handle, you haven’t become weaker. Your hormonal cushioning has literally changed. Here’s what’s really going on, and what you can do about it.

Read the full post here →

What We See in the Stars: An Illustrated Tour of the Night Sky by Kelsey Oseid

Yesterday, while at Davoll’s General Store — one of the oldest in the United States — I popped into the book section. The store, owned by authors Jenny Slate and Ben Shattuck, has without a doubt the most varied book selection within 50 miles of my house.

Slate wrote Marcel the Shell, a children’s book — and movie — and she is a mother, too. Perhaps for that reason, the children’s book selection is fabulous! I came across this book, An Illustrated Tour of the Night Sky, with its bedazzled cover of the constellations, and lamented not having a child to buy it for. But then I remembered, my inner child would be very interested in owning this book, so I bought it.

Last night I donned a pair of light pink silk pajamas — a birthday gift from my friend Debra — and tucked myself in on the sofa next to the fire with a cozy blanket and read myself this good-night story. A sheer delight.

Here’s to reaching toward the light this week, wherever you find it.

Dr. Cat 🥰

Looking to book a session in my Newport Studio? If you are new to my practice, book a ​Free Consult​ or if you know what you want, reserve your spot for a ​One-on-One​ experience.

👇 In today’s email:

• This week’s inspiration: A new season (in every sense)

• Latest blog post: Does acupuncture hurt?

• What I’m reading: Many Lives, Many Masters

A New Season (in every sense)

As I sit here this morning at my typewriter, what strikes me most is “Spring is coming.” The flowers on my kitchen table against a background that looks like rural Norway seem to give the inspiration that soon the forsythia will be aflame, that the galanthus will peek through, and that the crocus — the most courageous of flowers — will show up within weeks. So exciting!!

For now, the landscape is gray when shadows are cast on the snow, cream and occasionally glistening. But the prayer is for a couple of 45 degrees days to melt not the snowbanks but the encrusted ice banks and show us the way toward a new season.

And a new season it is!

This week, change is afoot, and three billion people agree. In this day and age, it’s hard to get even a smattering of family members to agree on anything. This week, the 17th of February, billions of people will be reflecting, gathering together, and rethinking life anew. It is the first day of the Chinese New Year, the Year of the Horse. And the following day is the first day of Ramadan. And for the astrologically inclined, there will be a solar eclipse occurring at 7:01 AM EST and a planetary alignment that is rare and highly transformative.

Suffice to say, this Tuesday seems portentous.

As we round down the Year of the Snake, known for, of course, shedding — I cannot help but get a jump on spring cleaning to shed all that does not serve. From the material (like gobs of partially used products in my children’s bathroom) to my own wardrobe, to something deeper: a letting go of things, situations, vibes, and to be honest, people.

In one of my favorite interviews, Elizabeth Gilbert tells Tim Ferriss (I paraphrase): “Nobody is entitled to have me in their lives by circumstance or biology.”

Perhaps you too can think of things or situations and circumstances, and perhaps even individuals you’re not interested in stepping into the season with. Perhaps Karma has run its course, and you are choosing something new. If this resonates, feel free to unclutter and recalibrate.

Does Acupuncture Hurt? Why It Feels Better Than You Think

For those of you who are acupuncture-curious, here’s a little primer on why this could be lovely medicine for you. The needles are ultra-thin — about the width of a human hair — and most people feel not pain, but a sense of deep relaxation, tingling, or warmth. Many of my clients fall asleep on the table.

If you’re my client and you read this, you know how great it feels, and thank you so much for trusting me with your care.

Read the full post here →

“Many Lives, Many Masters” by Brian L. Weiss

This is the true story of a psychiatrist who stumbles across something very surprising. When using hypnosis with a client, she reveals intricate details of experiences from past lives. In one, she is a servant in ancient Egypt. In another life, she is a German fighter pilot during World War II. In between incarnations, she reports messages from “the masters” about the lessons she’s supposed to learn.

This book, written in the 80s, is Brian Weiss’s own story about this experience and how going to Columbia College, Yale Medical School, and interning at NYU in psychiatry, this kind of woo-woo stuff was not only outside his worldview but also professionally suicide to explore.

I originally read this book 30 years ago, and this weekend finished it in two sittings. I’d love to hear what you think, if it speaks to you. Be in touch.

Big kiss, 💋 happy weekend.

Dr. Cat 🥰

👇 In today’s email:

• This week’s inspiration: Appreciation

• Latest blog post: Frickin’ Freezing — Cold Weather Body Care

• What I saw this weekend: Ruth Asawa at MoMA

This Week’s Inspiration: Appreciation

From the vantage point of where I am, I am filled with appreciation. Lying awake while my husband — 25 years together — sleeps beside me. I look out at an array of kente cloth, 30 of them displayed gracefully as wall hangings from floor to ceiling. This apartment contains more collections: East African headdresses by the dozen and 8’x10’ Rothko-like paintings in gilded frames, all of this lent to us for the weekend. To celebrate our son’s 18th birthday in Manhattan.

We are a tribe of nine now, as our oldest have brought girlfriends and boyfriends into the fold — delightful, quirky, graceful, and kind. We feast and feast as plate after plate arrives to incandescent smiles and seemingly insatiable appetites. I appreciate that we are together, and that unconditional love abounds — the very rarest thing of all.

As art, laughter, and food are our religion, we didn’t want to miss the Ruth Asawa show at MoMA.

She says everything is interconnected and continuous. From an energetic perspective, this makes total sense to me. Every channel in our body is connected to another channel, just as every member of my little family does the same.

Wishing you a week of perspective, appreciation, and gratitude for all the things that truly matter — and the ability to discard and shed what no longer contributes to who you are or where you’re going.

Frickin’ Freezing: Care of the Body in Arctic Temps

From season to season, our body needs different care. While the temperatures plummet this weekend, I couldn’t help but create this blog post to help keep us all cozy, healthy, and safe.

Having been to Siberia — actually, this weekend in New York was colder — it’s time to take different measures to protect ourselves. I’m talking hand warmers inside your wool socks, warming spices like ginger and cinnamon and star anise, swapping that smoothie for a bowl of slow-cooked oatmeal, and choosing chai over green tea (which is actually cooling in Chinese medicine — who knew?). Plus why you should always carry an extra pair of socks in your purse.

And please, I am begging you — put down the smoothie. Many of my clients are still drinking them, which makes me bananas (no pun intended). In Chinese medicine, cold foods require extra digestive energy just to warm them to body temperature before your body can even break them down. When your system is already working overtime to keep you warm, the last thing you need is to divert more resources to heating up a blueberry smoothie.

Speaking of working overtime — most people don’t realize how dehydrating cold weather is. Your blood vessels constrict, which actually decreases your thirst response while increasing urination. And you’re losing moisture every time you exhale into that frigid air — you can see it in the little cloud of vapor leaving your mouth. The result? You can become dehydrated without ever feeling thirsty. Keep a thermos close. Your body is working overtime to keep you warm. The least you can do is meet it halfway.

Read the full post here →

Inspired by the Ruth Asawa at MoMA

I have to say I was late to the game in my appreciation of Ruth Asawa. I only saw her work years ago when it appeared on a U.S. stamp. I was mesmerized by the intricacies of her forms, particularly the sculptural works suspended in air. While she worked in many mediums, she’s best known for her metal work — so intricately woven together that it makes you wonder how such a thing could even be created by the human eye, let alone by an artist working into her 80s.

Her work evokes human figures with voluptuous, improbable curves and orbs inside like chakras.

I love how she said everything is interconnected and constantly moving — a reminder to me that life is a nonlinear collection of Robert Frost moments diverging in one direction or another, ideally opting into brightness and kindness while shedding toxicity that never served us well in the first place.

If you’d love to learn more about the life and work of Ruth Asawa, here is a great link to the MoMA YouTube channel for your viewing pleasure.

Watch here →

I’m cheering for you,

Dr. Catherine

👇 In today’s email:

• This week’s inspiration: On giving too much of ourselves

• Latest blog post: How to glow from the inside out

• What I’m listening to: Psychedelics for women’s health

To All My Tired Mothers

As a mother for over 25 years, I feel in my core what it is to be a mother: to give sometimes without awareness of self and from depths I did not know I had, occasionally to my own detriment. So much of my practice has been about taking care of mothers—not just women who have procreated, but women who have given of themselves fully to others, to a movement; women who’ve nurtured a thing within and let it forth into the world.

One biological mother this week said: “How the hell am I supposed to take care of myself when all I do is take care of other people?” The words hung heavily in the air as we both understood this reality.

Many of my clients are mothers in one way or another. Perhaps they’re in their silver years, still recollecting the trials and tribulations their children put them through. Others have teens, school-age kids, toddlers, or even infants, having felt stir-crazy this week after many storms and many frigid days.

To all my tired mothers this week, I draped them in the most sacred fabric. In my intrepid years in the 90s, I found myself backpacking around Vientiane (the capital of Laos), and I stumbled across a mansion—slightly decrepit but with wonderful colonial charm. In it were some of the best weavers in Southeast Asia, quietly spinning fibers created from silkworms into something as luxurious as gold. The mansion had a dark room full of silkworms doing their magic. Women took the silk threads, creating more robust threads, then created natural dyes: deep red from betel nut, blue from indigo, and yellows from turmeric.

These women were creating works of absolute art, weaving tapestries like mine, which is 7 feet long. I drape it over mothers when they come for acupuncture. Perhaps my clients can feel it was made by women—and not only that, but in that mansion in Vientiane, the women who created it were given maternal care, postpartum care, and paid leave. And the time it takes to make one tapestry? Nine months—a number that is not lost on me.

My tapestry is deep red, or actually, I might even say persimmon. In Chinese Medicine, when we give forth so much of ourselves in the form of energy or chi, we also believe we give our blood. That must be the essence of motherhood: giving our vital life force.

To answer that question—how to take care of oneself in the midst of nurturing others—must lie in replenishing our own life force. Maybe by fireside meditation or sweet alone time. It can come nutritiously in the form of braised meats, black beans, cooked greens, royal jelly, and even, so decadently, black caviar to replenish so much of the energy.

The problem I see is, by overgiving our life force, we often don’t have enough to run our own bodies both physically and mentally, giving us anxiety, fatigue, headaches, and insomnia.

So in that vein, I wish you this week every opportunity for replenishment, even if it’s in 2- or 5-minute increments—to take some deep breaths and to salute your own value just for who you are, not just what you do or accomplish. And giving yourself much needed rest. 💓

How to Glow from the Inside Out

Now is a great time to take care of your skin, even in simple ways like taking some oats, putting them into the blender, adding a dollop of full-fat yogurt and a teeny bit of honey, and putting that cheap and simple mask on your face even while you do dishes.

Skin care doesn’t need to be expensive or even complicated. Right now, it’s not the sun we need to worry about. With days so short, the real culprits are harsh wind and dry air. Here are some ideas to rethink your skin care, to treat yourself with kindness and, of course, add a little bit of extra moisturizer everywhere, especially on those dry heels. They deserve it.

Read the full post here →

Psychedelics for Women’s Health (Solvable Podcast)

I very much enjoyed this podcast interview with Dr. Grace Blest-Hopley of King’s College London this week about the use of psychedelics for treatment of hormone-related issues in women, specifically the use of LSD, psilocybin (in “magic mushrooms”), mescaline (from peyote and San Pedro cacti), and DMT and MDMA. She discusses their use for treating PMDD, chronic pelvic pain, including endometriosis, and treatment-resistant depression.

I enjoyed all the information, although my only criticism is that the contraindications—who this is not appropriate for—were left for the last couple of minutes of the podcast. While this may be life-changing medicine for many people, it is not appropriate for everyone. And just as a professional disclaimer, these substances are actually illegal. However, they can be used in certain circumstances with a trained professional. Listen and let me know what you think.

Listen to the episode →

Here’s to your replenishment this week, in whatever form it takes.

Dr. Catherine

Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply pause, breathe, and remember that we don’t have to figure everything out right this moment. Today I want to share some thoughts on finding your footing when the ground feels shaky, plus some practical tools that have been helping me (and might help you too).

👇 In today’s email:

• This week’s inspiration: When Everything’s A Bit Too Much

• Latest blog post: Can’t Sleep Without Medications? Try This First

• What I’m listening to: Foundational Practices, Dharma Ocean

When Everything’s A Bit Too Much

“My life keeps going off little cliffs.”

That’s what a friend said to me this week, and I felt it in my bones. When chaos shows up uninvited—and let’s be honest, it rarely calls ahead—how do we find our center? How do we take that next step when we’re not even sure where we’re standing?

I’ve been coming back to an old Taoist parable that’s been offering me unexpected comfort. It goes something like this:

An old farmer’s horse runs away. His neighbors say, “What bad luck!” The farmer replies, “Maybe so, maybe not.” The next day, the horse returns with several wild horses. The neighbors exclaim, “What good luck!” Again, the farmer says, “Maybe so, maybe not.” The farmer’s son tries to tame one of the wild horses and is thrown off, breaking his leg. “What terrible luck!” say the neighbors. The farmer responds, “Maybe so, maybe not.” Shortly after, military officers come to the village to conscript young men for war, but they pass over the farmer’s son because of his broken leg. “What wonderful luck!” the neighbors say. And the farmer replies once more, “Maybe so, maybe not.”

The Permission to Not Know

What strikes me about this story is the farmer’s wisdom in suspending judgment. He doesn’t rush to label events as good or bad, fortunate or catastrophic. He understands that only with time, distance, and the perspective of everything that follows can we truly understand the meaning of what’s transpired.

This week, I’ve given myself permission not to fixate on making sense of everything right now. And honestly? It’s been a relief.

When something difficult happens, we tend to immediately assign it meaning, to weave it into a narrative about our lives. But what if we didn’t have to do that? What if we could simply hold the experience, acknowledge it, and say, “I don’t know yet what this means”?

Finding Ground When Nothing Feels Solid

On those evenings when my nervous system needs reassurance, I’ve been creating small rituals: a fire crackling in the fireplace, maybe the Goldberg Variations playing softly, the smell of dinner cooking. These sensory touchpoints give my body the message that, despite everything, we’re safe. We’re okay. We can take the next breath.

It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about finding moments of steadiness within the uncertainty.

Yes, you can navigate the chaos without needing to understand it all right now. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply say, “Maybe so, maybe not,” and trust that clarity will come with time.

Can’t Sleep Without Medications? Try This First

Let’s be honest: when life is stressful, getting a solid eight hours of deep rest can feel impossible. Maybe you’re waking at 3 a.m. with your mind racing. Maybe you’re tossing and turning for hours. Or maybe your dream life is so vivid and intense that sleep feels as exhausting as being awake.

Sound familiar?

In my latest blog post, I’m sharing natural approaches to sleep that don’t require reaching for a prescription bottle. These are strategies rooted in Chinese medicine and backed by modern research—addressing the underlying patterns that keep you awake rather than just masking the symptoms.

I cover everything from understanding your body’s natural rhythms to specific herbs and techniques that can help regulate your nervous system for deeper, more restorative sleep. Because quality rest isn’t a luxury—it’s the foundation of everything else.

If sleepless nights have been part of your story lately, this guide might offer some answers.

Read the full post here →​

Foundational Practices, Dharma Ocean

Staying grounded seems to be the zeitgeist right now.

And I don’t just mean walking barefoot in the yard when the cool spring dew feels refreshing on bare feet (though I love that too). Grounding has become a whole industry—there are grounding mats, sheets, and blankets that plug into outlets, or even cords that run down and presumably out your window into the earth.

But here’s what I’ve rediscovered: you don’t need to buy anything to feel truly grounded.

I’ve been returning to a guided meditation by Reggie Ray, one of the founders of Naropa and a student of Chögyam Trungpa, one of the first Tibetan Buddhist masters in America. This practice is all about removing tension from our bodies and letting it release into the earth. Actual grounding.

It’s wonderful to do anytime, and it’s become part of my evening ritual as I wind down for sleep. The practice helps me reconnect with that feeling of being quietly at home in my body, connected to something larger and more stable than whatever happened during the day.

If you scroll down on the page, you’ll find the audio. Start with the 10-point practice and see how it feels.

Trust me, your nervous system will thank you.

Listen here →

I’m cheering for you, have a peaceful week!

Dr. Cat 🥰

This morning, as I sat at my vintage typewriter with coffee in hand, I was reminded that transformation doesn’t always require grand gestures. Sometimes it’s found in ten minutes of honesty with ourselves, or in the simple act of choosing a more beautiful route to work.

Today I’m sharing a practice that’s become essential to my own wellbeing—and exploring how something as simple as sound can shift your entire state.

👇 In today’s email:

• This week’s inspiration: The 10-Minute Journaling Ritual That Changes Your Morning

• Latest blog post: Sound as Medicine: A Simple Way to Shift Your State

• What I’m listening to: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

The 10-Minute Journaling Ritual That Changes Your Morning

As we begin the new year, I’ve been thinking about daily rituals that increase quality of life. Small things like being in nature an hour a day, meditating, and leaving ten minutes early for work to take the most scenic route—in my case, past cow pastures, hay the color of wet mustard, and several beaches—arriving unharried.

One of the most beautiful things I do is write on my late 1960s robin’s egg blue Smith Corona typewriter.

This ten minutes of freeform, stream-of-consciousness writing—unburdening, occasionally deciphering the night’s dreams—brings me into the day with freshness and clarity. There’s something about the physical act of typing on those keys, hearing each letter click into place, that grounds me in a way digital journaling never has.

It’s not about crafting perfect prose or profound insights. Some mornings it’s just processing yesterday’s frustrations. Other mornings it’s making sense of a strange dream, or noticing what I’m grateful for, or simply emptying my mind onto paper so I can start fresh.

Why This Works

When we write by hand (or in my case, on a typewriter), we engage different parts of our brain than when we type on a computer or phone. The slower pace allows our thoughts to unfold more organically. There’s no backspace temptation, no editing instinct—just forward momentum.

From a Chinese medicine perspective, morning is when our yang energy naturally rises. This practice helps channel that energy intentionally, setting the tone for how we’ll show up in the world that day.

How to Start Your Own Practice

You don’t need a vintage typewriter (though I highly recommend one if you’re drawn to it). A simple notebook works beautifully. Here’s what I suggest:

Set aside just ten minutes—before checking your phone, before the day’s demands take over.

Write whatever comes. Don’t edit, don’t judge, don’t worry about making sense. This isn’t for anyone else to read.

Notice the physical sensations: your hand moving across the page, your breath, the weight of your body in the chair.

Let yourself be surprised by what emerges. Sometimes our wisest insights arrive when we’re not trying to be wise.

As I’m writing this, visiting with my husband as he eats his morning croissant, it’s wonderful to think about the habits—big and small—that can steady us. These quiet rituals become the foundation from which everything else unfolds.

Sound as Medicine: A Simple Way to Shift Your State

Sound is everything—and it can recalibrate our wellbeing in the most unexpected ways.

In recent years, I’ve deepened the soundscape of my studio with chimes, tuning forks placed on the body, and singing bowls. But one of my favorite discoveries has been learning to customize sound for each patient’s unique needs.

I used to practice next to a salon, where giggles and loud exclamations sometimes filtered through the walls. I started offering headphones to block out the noise—but then discovered something better: an app called Endel that lets me DJ the entire acupuncture experience.

For patients with insomnia, dry cough, dry skin, or night sweats, I use light, expansive sounds—the gentle pitter-pat of rain. For those fluttering with anxiety and heart palpitations, I choose deep bass tones and grounding melodies that bring them back into balance.

While I work with acupuncture needles, aromatherapy, and crystals, sound has become another tool to meet each person exactly where they are.

In this blog post, I’m sharing how you can use sound therapeutically in your own life—to calm your nervous system, improve sleep, or simply shift your state when you need it most.

Read the full post here →

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

This week I listened to All the Light We Cannot See for the third time—yes, the third. Although I’ve read it twice before, I decided to dive back in pursuit of beautiful language.

This is a story about greed, desperation, beauty, hope, and two teenagers in 1940s Europe. One is a blind girl with innate curiosity about the natural world, growing up in Paris. The other is a German orphan boy with engineering prowess who becomes a Nazi youth.

What struck me this time is how different the experience of rereading can be. We are different each time we return to a story. Our world is different too.

The first time I read this book, fascism felt like something relegated to history. Not the global concern it is today. That shift in context changes everything about how the story lands.

Thematically, this book explores how culture and circumstances shape us—especially the most innocent among us. It’s a reminder that the forces around us are powerful, but so is our capacity to hold onto our humanity in the face of them.

If you haven’t read it, or if you read it years ago, I recommend revisiting it now. Notice what speaks to you differently this time.

I’m cheering for you,

Dr. Catherine

Looking to book a session in my Newport Studio? If you are new to my practice, book a ​Free Consult​ or if you know what you want, reserve your spot for a ​One-on-One​ experience.

I’ve been thinking about you this week, wondering how you’re feeling after the holidays. Maybe you’re like me—a little heavier, a little tired, and ready for some simple shifts that actually feel good. That’s what today’s newsletter is all about.

👇 In today’s email:

• This week’s inspiration: Everything old is new again

• Latest blog post: 6 small habits that reduce morning bloat and fatigue

• What I’m reading: The War Against the Animals

Everything old is new again

One of the most beautiful things about a new year is not only giving thought to our own journey forward, but reflecting on what has served us well in the past, and what is worth beginning again.

For me in 2026, it’s baking bread.

In the spring of 2020, as huge gusts of wind blasted off the Sakonnet River with enough force to topple a small child, I baked and scored sourdough loaves by the dozen. So many bags of heirloom flours were delivered to my house—einkorn, spelt, and kamut—you would think I was trying to open a commercial bakery myself.

But it was therapy alone: for dexterous hands aching for a worthwhile task, and also a nervous heart in need of grounding calm. Baking provided the extra bonus of the house smelling divine while feeding family and neighbors alike.

Now, as of yesterday, I am back at it.

As I waited for my first two loaves to come out of the oven this Sunday morning, I found myself wondering: What are the things that have worked for you in the past that can reappear this year to bring you joy and peace?

Maybe it’s a morning walk you loved. Or journaling before bed. Perhaps it’s a creative practice you set aside when life got busy, or a friendship you want to tend more carefully.

Here’s what I know from 20 years in practice: the most powerful transformations often come from returning to what already worked. Not chasing the next trending wellness hack, but honoring the rituals and practices that made you feel like yourself.

So as you move through these early weeks of the year, I invite you to ask yourself: What do I want to bring back? What small practice once brought calm, joy, or groundedness that deserves another chance?

6 small habits that reduce morning bloat and fatigue

With the exception of some New Year’s Eve dancing and bundling up to do yard work with my husband (a favorite activity—an excuse to be outside and get a teeny bit of exercise), I’ve been sitting on my butt, eating huge amounts of food for six weeks.

Well, that might be hyperbole. But it’s actually not far from the truth.

And it’s easy at this point in the new year to say, “Oh, I feel so yuck. What can I do to feel a little bit lighter?”

In my latest blog post, I share six simple habits that can help you wake up feeling less bloated and more energized. These aren’t dramatic overhauls or punishing detoxes—they’re gentle, evidence-based practices from Chinese medicine that support your body’s natural rhythms.

We’re talking about things like warm water in the morning (yes, temperature matters), mindful eating patterns, and supporting your digestive fire. Small shifts that make a real difference in how you feel when you open your eyes each day.

If you’ve been feeling heavy or sluggish lately, this post is for you.

Read the full post here →

The War Against the Animals by Paul Russell

Two of my dearest friends often lend me books. They’re both sophisticated and erudite, and a complete joy. As they are a couple, the books are often thematically about issues having to do with gay life, the role of aging as a gay man, the AIDS crisis.

This book is in that vein. The War Against the Animals takes place in the 1990s in the Hudson Valley, where successful gay men and their friends spend weekends and eventually live full-time in a town that has not historically been hospitable to them.

The main character, Cameron, strikes up an unlikely friendship with a local named Jessie. Jessie is young, drives a pick-up truck, has never been out of that upstate area, and the two of them become friends.

I can’t say the writing of this book is sublime, but I can say in terms of plot, it left me breathless—like with a tight chest for fear of where the story was going. At one point, I thought they were all going to murder each other, but thank God they did not.

It was gripping and the most suspenseful thing I’ve read in a long time.

If this does intrigue you, please know that there are certain aspects of this book that are salacious and perhaps not appropriate for our very youngest of readers.

Find it here →

Happy New Year, I’m cheering for you,

Dr. Catherine

Looking to book a session in my Newport Studio? If you are new to my practice, book a ​Free Consult​ or if you know what you want, reserve your spot for a ​One-on-One​ experience.

I’ve been thinking a lot about what it means to keep our own light alive, especially during challenging times. There’s something profound about finding those reserves inside of us that last longer and shine brighter than we ever thought possible.

👇 In today’s email:

• This week’s inspiration: A Light Inside of You

• Latest blog post: Cosmetic Acupuncture Benefits (Without the Fluff)

• What I’m reading: Between the Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and the Birth of History

Finding The Light Inside of You

Today is a rare alignment: the winter solstice, the final night of Hanukkah, and a barely-there moon.

This is a perfect time for contemplation and, hopefully, a lot of sleep.

The Struggle of Keeping Our Light Burning Bright

Maybe we tell ourselves that a thoughtful, aware person should keep up with everything—every headline, every crisis, every breaking update. But I’m not convinced our nervous systems were built for that kind of nonstop input. The sheer volume of bad news doesn’t just fry the brain… it seeps straight into the heart.

I suspect we were designed for a much smaller circle—something like 120 people, with little subgroups inside of that. You knew who’d had a baby. Who was sick. Who had died. And yes—who had hunted a glorious bison for a feast over an open flame. You knew what mattered because you could actually touch your world.

Now? The world touches us all day long. And the steady deluge of information can feel like trying to drink from a firehose.

Choosing Light

As we move deeper into winter, on this solstice Sunday, with the holidays ramping up – protect your bandwidth.

Keep your own light on by doing the unglamorous basics that actually work: sleep, decent food, movement, time outside, fewer doom-scroll sessions, and more time with people who help you feel steady.

Because when you’re vital and well, you’re simply more useful—to yourself and everyone around you. Your mood is less brittle. Your patience lasts longer. Your “I’ve got this” comes back online. That kind of steadiness is contagious in the best way.

Cosmetic Acupuncture Benefits (Without the Fluff)

Cosmetic acupuncture is having a moment—but most of what you see online is either wildly overhyped or weirdly vague.

So I wrote the post I wish every woman could read before she books anything: what cosmetic acupuncture is, how it works, what it helps (tone, texture, puffiness, tension, that “tired face” look), and what to expect from a real treatment plan. Spoiler: it’s not one-and-done—and that’s actually the point. It’s cumulative, natural, and designed to restore vitality from the inside out.

→ Read the full breakdown​

Between the Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and the Birth of History

As we race full steam ahead into modernity (or post-modernity) there’s something in me that yearns to dive into the past. And I don’t mean the recent past. I mean ancient history. More specifically: Mesopotamia.

This week, I’ve been reading Between the Two Rivers: Ancient Mesopotamia and the Birth of History by Moudhy Al-Rashid. It’s a more user-friendly version of a book I read last year called 5000 Years of Iraqi History, which honestly should have been titled 5000 Years of Terrible News for Women. The writing in the latter is superior, but the former is a much easier read.

There’s something so soothing, and perhaps quaint, about small clay communications made with reeds used on clay tablets. The earliest form of writing, you might be interested to know, had to do with commerce—specifically, who owed whom, often in relation to the production of beer. Basically, it was about unpaid bar tabs.

The earliest known epic is The Epic of Gilgamesh, written around 2000 BCE. It tells the story of the demigod King Gilgamesh of Uruk, his deep friendship with the wild man Enkidu, and his ultimately failed quest for eternal life.

It helps me to remember that some of our earliest stories are basically about the same things we’re still trying to figure out: how to love people, how to lose them, and how to live with our own limitations.

Find it on Bookshop.org →

This is our final newsletter of 2025. Thanks for being here – truly. If these notes have meant something to you, I’d love it if you forwarded this to a friend who could use a little steadiness right now. Wishing you a peaceful end-of-year and a fresh start.

See you in January. ❤️
Dr. Cat

Looking to book a session in my Newport Studio? If you are new to my practice, book a ​Free Consult​ or if you know what you want, reserve your spot for a ​One-on-One​ experience.

👇 In today’s email:

This week’s inspiration: Our children need patron saints

Latest blog post: The Full-Body Reset I Swear By

What I’m drinking: A love letter to Master Tea Harvester Mr. Luo

Children Need Patron Saints

To be honest, last week was hard for me. As I prepped for my son’s basketball game, I wore the team sweatshirt, excited to see my 6’3”, 185-pound son do what he loves most—play basketball. Not knowing an hour later he would be concussed on the court and the hundreds of spectators would be reduced to silence.

I put my cold fingers on his forehead and said, “It’s Mommy, I’m here.”

“Mama,” he said, crying, “I can’t remember the game.”

In my mind’s eye, I can see myself fighting back tears and him demanding I not cry—feelings of being both helpless and scared.

A week later? Mercifully, he is fine and I’m still feeling traumatized.

I’ve come to the conclusion that children need patron saints and so do their mothers.

But we were not the only criers this past week. Many of my patients broke down in convulsing sobs or slow trickles down rosy cheeks. The Greeks got it right. Catharsis is a thing. And through tears, the vices gripping our hearts relent. Often crying is the best way to move forward; certainly the most human.

As we enter into this season, many say it’s the most odious time of year: the frantic pull between relatives, rushed for time, not to mention the financial drain. For most people it is maddening, but almost heretical to admit.

Perhaps that’s why we have to treat each other with extra kindness right now. Because we are all a bit tender. And when necessary, it’s always good to cry.

In the same week, the Geminids meteor shower lit up the sky with over a hundred shooting stars per hour. It was the biggest and most spectacular shower of the year. I hope some of you caught it—that sense of a bigger picture, that reminder that things are more nuanced than we can imagine. Concussions and all.

Sometimes the best thing we can offer each other—and ourselves—is the simple acknowledgment that we’re doing our best. That love can look like cold fingers on a forehead. That being scared for someone you love is to be human.

The Full-Body Reset I Swear By

When patients come to me feeling depleted—especially during the holiday season—I often recommend what I call my “Full-Body Reset Protocol.” It’s a combination of techniques I’ve evolved for two decades to help women reclaim their energy when life feels overwhelming.

In my studio, the protocol combines two key elements: Lymphatic Activation using a specialized French lymphatic drainage tool to move stagnant fluid and release stored tension. And Nervous System Recalibration using specific acupuncture points that signal safety to your body—particularly the ones that help shift you from fight-or-flight into rest-and-digest mode.

What I love about this protocol is its gentleness. You’re not pushing your body harder; you’re giving it permission to let go. In the blog post, I break down how this reset works and share techniques you can use at home to support your lymphatic system and nervous system between sessions.

Several patients have told me this has become their non-negotiable self-care practice—especially during chaotic weeks when everything feels like too much.

Read the full post here →

A love letter to Master Tea Harvester Mr. Luo

I’ve been circling the arena of artisanal tea for a long time. Even a decade ago, I considered becoming a tea sommelier just for fun. But as my kids were still young, the idea of having a hobby like that was unthinkable. Here I am again, loving specialty teas and particularly oolongs, and those from master harvester Mr. Luo.

Some have notes of pound cake, longan, and jasmine; others, toasted almonds, maitake, and honey.

When we think of tea, we’re thinking about the same kind of plant—Camellia sinensis, grown all over the world in different locations. I’m partial to Mr. Luo’s high-elevation tea from Taiwan. An oolong is partially oxidized, so it’s halfway between a green and a black tea, giving the health benefits of both.

I think when you have somebody who does something spectacular, whether you know them or not, you stick with them—whether it’s an author or maybe even an actor. Or a tea cultivator.

I have another person in my ecosystem named Jack. He’s a master distiller of essential oils in Hawaii. He makes a sandalwood oil that is sustainably grown, unlike that of India. Jack is a master distiller and he’s a bit of a J.D. Salinger type of character. Basically, I’m saying he’s a shut-in, but he’s a master distiller shut-in. Anything Jack makes, I’m down for. His rosewood oil has helped thousands of my patients process trauma.

He makes two different kinds of mandarin oils. One is a green mandarin, which has a bright, sour snap to it, while his red mandarin is so delicious you can almost imagine the juice dribbling down your chin as you smell it.

In a world of big box stores and easy clicks between desire and things arriving at your house, it’s nice to feel a personal affinity to master craftspeople and the beautiful things they do. That’s how I feel about not only Jack’s oils that are sublime, but the teas I’m enjoying daily from Mr. Luo.

I’ll have to write him a love note. Actually, I guess that’s what this is.

I get my teas from spirittea.co Feel free to check them out.

Sending you much love,

Dr. Catherine

P.S. A quick note—many of the photos you see on my website and in these newsletters are by my friend Sasha Israel. She’s made me feel more comfortable in front of a camera than I ever thought possible. That’s a gift. If you ever need photography, she is one-of-a-kind. Another person in my world that does something spectacular.

https://sashaisraelphotography.com/

Looking to book a session in my Newport Studio? If you are new to my practice, book a ​Free Consult​ or if you know what you want, reserve your spot for a ​One-on-One​ experience.

But here’s what’s been on my mind: we assume these gatherings are a given. “See you at Christmas,” we say, as if time is infinite and guaranteed. The truth? It’s not. And that realization is ok – and maybe even liberating.

Today, I want to share a story about preparing for death that’s really about living fully.

👇 In today’s email:

• This week’s inspiration: Remember me as you pass by

• Latest blog post: Soup is a girl’s best friend

• What I’m listening to: Jimmy Iovine with Rick Rubin

Remember Me As You Pass By

When I was a kid, the Appalachian Trail ran just two miles from my house. We lived in an old farmhouse built in 1770—floorboards 18 inches wide and hand forged nails. The house had ghosts, but I’ll save that story for another time.

Beyond the house, in the hills along the trail, there was a cemetery. Wind and time had erased so many of the tombstones, but one inscription stayed with me. I can still see my little fingers tracing over the worn etching:

“Remember me as you pass by,
So as you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, soon you shall be,
Prepare for death and follow me.”

What Preparing for Death Really Means

Four decades later, I see this gravestone message differently. Preparing for death isn’t just about getting your affairs in order with your lawyer. It’s about getting your human affairs in order. It’s about honoring your soul’s brightness and passion in whatever years remain.

It’s about finding your inner light and keeping it on—a fire only you can tend.

The Gift of Now

This Thanksgiving weekend, we made homemade chicken broth for risotto (using carnaroli, not arborio—we find it far superior). We roasted six chickens stuffed with lemons and local garlic. We made cranberry sauce from berries harvested from Cape Cod bogs, roasted Brussels sprouts cut fresh from the stalk, and tomato salads drizzled in olive oil and crushed oregano from Crete.

The meals begot more meals. More children appeared. Our house became a cacophony of booming laughter, board games, and cocktails that stretched until 2am—for nights in a row.

Even as we hugged goodbye, we said, “See you for Christmas,” as if everything is guaranteed. But the truth is, we don’t really know. There are no guarantees.

Your Call to Action

Preparing for death is about making the meaningful times count. It’s about pulling all the light and joy into your body through every conceivable pore. It’s about letting that brightness erase the hard and stuck things inside—making space for luminosity, and even one more wayward friend who wants to rejoice, laugh, and most importantly, help clean the kitchen.

As we move into December, I want to ask you: What fire are you tending? What light are you keeping on? And who are you inviting to share in that warmth?

Soup is a girl’s best friend

No doubt you have leftovers lingering from this weekend. Here’s something I’ve learned: even the peels of garlic and onion can begin a soup that will sustain you throughout the week.

I often find it’s best to make a soup and not eat it for two days—the taste improves over time. A soup made Sunday tastes perfect by Tuesday. If you work outside the house, hot soup in a thermos is a lifesaver. If you’re home juggling Zoom calls or young children, soup is the easiest meal that still feels nourishing.

Hearty, easy to digest, and gentle on the waistline, soup is basically a girl’s best friend. In my latest blog post, I share my recipe for turning your Thanksgiving remnants into something sustaining and delicious.

Read the full recipe here →

Jimmy Iovine with Rick Rubin

How is Jimmy Iovine only 72 years old? It boggles the mind when you consider everything he’s accomplished.

He’s responsible for so much great music from the latter quarter of the 20th century and beyond—working with John Lennon, U2, baby-faced Bruce Springsteen, and developing the talents of Gwen Stefani, Eminem, Tupac Shakur, the Black Eyed Peas, Whitney Houston, and legions more. He’s also responsible for developing Apple Music and co-founded Beats with Dr. Dre.

Even with all this success, he says he hates business. In this conversation with Rick Rubin, he explains why. It’s a fascinating look at creativity, collaboration, and what it means to build something lasting while staying true to your instincts.

Listen to the episode here →

I’m cheering for you,

Dr. Catherine

Looking to book a session in my Newport Studio? If you are new to my practice, book a ​Free Consult​ or if you know what you want, reserve your spot for a ​One-on-One​ experience.

👇 In today’s email:

• This week’s inspiration: The Un-Bitchy Sisterhood

• Latest blog post: Facial Rejuvenation Without Toxins

• What I’m listening to: The Case for HPV (and other) Vaccinations in Women over 40

The Un-Bitchy Sisterhood

In this sisterhood we are enough, and so is everyone else. Among our members, we pilot Blackhawk helicopters, design the costumes for film, stay home with young children, receive Guggenheim Fellowships, are astute investors, and police officers too. In my case, I can often cure pain, both emotional and physical with acupuncture. We all contribute, not worrying if we are enough, because collectively we are everything.

This is the web of kindness I am opting into. I know these people, some of them are you.

Let’s face it: as women we have been through a lot, and our personal insecurities are often unleashed on how we treat and judge each other.

I think a lot of that comes from how incomplete we feel about ourselves. Maybe our childhoods made us feel unworthy, but adding insult to injury, the messaging from big companies tells us we will be whole, happy & desirable if we buy their necklace, $650 hair dryer, tiny jar of eye cream, whatever. Alas, if only that were true.

In the Un-Bitchy Sisterhood we are working on ourselves and how we are in community.

In the Un-Bitchy Sisterhood there’s no schadenfreude, that German word for taking pleasure from another person’s misery, or hurtful honesty like, “I want to be honest with you—your face looks like shit. Have you considered fillers?”

In this sisterhood we want each other to thrive and we are kind, which at this stage of the game is counter culture.

Yesterday I sat seaside with a girlfriend as we gazed onto the waves, and she was telling me about the love she’s hoping to attract. So we stared onto the horizon. I wanted that for her as much as she did. We were co-creating the reality, at least in our minds. Without any jealousy, without any withholding, I wanted her happiness with the ferocity of wanting my own—and there’s nothing bitchy about that. ❤️❤️👏🌊

That is the sisterhood we are creating.

Are you finding this in your life? If so, lmk, and if not, does this pull on your heartstrings for the relationships you invest in or pursue?

And in the frenzy of holiday shopping: What if everything we truly wanted couldn’t be purchased? Because they are not for sale.

Facial Rejuvenation Without Toxins

For those of you who’ve known me a long time, whether it’s since college or even as a child, you know I’ve been obsessed with skincare since maybe age 11.

I came to it honestly, crushing herbs in my parents’ backyard in Vermont and even taking cornsilk from the cornfields to boil it and make a hair rinse.

Connecting with nature in this way has always been a source of joy for me, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve also been interested in natural ways to plump skin and look more rested, even if I’m not.

Here’s a blog post on some of the major things I like to do, and also feel free to check out Instagram @heydrcatherine—I’ve got more on that.

Read the full post here →

The Case for HPV (and other) Vaccinations in Women over 40

I have to say, upon listening to this podcast, I wanted to dash out of my office to CVS and beg for the HPV vaccination.

Human Papillomavirus, or HPV, is responsible for 6 different kinds of cancers: cervical, anal, oral pharyngeal, vaginal, vulvar, and penile. However, until recently it has not been offered to adults.

The HPV vaccination only came on the scene in 2007, so if you’re middle-aged, perhaps your children got these inoculations at a young age, making you ask the question, “Why are they getting a shot that has to do with a sexually transmitted condition when they’re just kids?”

To focus on the virus is of course one thing, but at the end of the day, this is a vaccination that’s anti-cancer in nature. Privately and publicly, there’s been lots of discussion about inoculations, but one that can help prevent cancer is of interest to me.

Have a listen & decide for yourself :)

I’m cheering for you,

Dr. Catherine

Looking to book a session in my Newport Studio? If you are new to my practice, book a ​Free Consult​ or if you know what you want, reserve your spot for a ​One-on-One​ experience.

This week, I’m sharing a memory that recently resurfaced–one that reminds me why understanding our need for safety is so foundational to our wellness journey.

Sometimes the most profound insights come from looking back at where we’ve been. Let’s explore this together.

👇 In today’s email:

• This week’s inspiration: My first memory? A bank robbery.

• Latest blog post: My Go-To Stress & Anxiety Toolkit

• What I’m listening to: Mitch Albom Is A ‘Walking Example Of A Second Chance’

My First Memory? A Bank Robbery.

It’s funny how early childhood memories get buried, and how little it takes for them to resurface. I just re-remembered this one while listening to an audiobook with a similar scene.

I was four years old in Newtonville, Massachusetts. My mother was meeting with a banker when two gunmen burst in–faces hidden, one shouting “Everyone, hands in the air!” while the other leapt over the counter. This wasn’t something I saw on television. I was actually there.

The banker shoved me under the desk–all 40 pounds of me with my black bowl cut–so close to her bunchy tan stockings and sensible heels. My mother was very pregnant with my brother, and there I crouched and waited. The banker could’ve touched the panic button underneath her desk to alert the police, but she didn’t. She was protecting me.

I don’t remember much of what happened next, except that the robbers left with their sacs of money, and while the police surveyed the crime scene, someone opened the basement candy machine and put the entire contents in a trash bag for me. I was elated. Later, I went home to tell my seven-year-old brother that not only had I been in a bank robbery, I had a huge amount of candy I had no intention of sharing.

What Young Me Learned

What I gathered from this experience was simple but profound: the world was not always a safe place. In the months that followed, I was scared the bank robbers would come to our house. I buried myself under layers of Laura Ashley frills with all my stuffed animals piled on top of me in bed. If somebody came in, they would never find me. I would be safe.

Finding Safety as Adults

As adults, we have to find ways to feel safe and comfortable in the world–and surrounding ourselves with piles of stuffed animals probably isn’t sustainable (although I often reach for my silk sleep mask, which feels similar. Though during night sweats, it makes me way too hot!).

This brings me to questions I invite you to consider:

• What are the ways that you feel safe in the world?

• What are the things you do to soothe yourself?

• Time with friends? Movement? Ritual?

• What brings you back to a place of feeling like it’s all going to be okay?

Understanding our own safety needs—and the healthy ways we can meet them–is foundational to managing anxiety and stress. It’s not indulgent; it’s essential. And yes, you can create a life where you feel genuinely safe and grounded, even when the world feels uncertain.

My Go-To Stress & Anxiety Toolkit

After seeing thousands of women over two decades, I can say with confidence: anxiety plagues almost everyone. Maybe now more than ever. Hormonal ups and downs, self-doubt, unrealistic societal expectations–they’ve been kicking our collective butt for quite a long time.

Here’s what’s interesting: these problems are thousands of years old. But luckily, so is acupuncture.

​In this blog post, I break down exactly how acupuncture works to calm your nervous system, supported by both ancient wisdom and modern research. I share:

• How acupuncture physically changes your stress response

• The specific ways it addresses anxiety in women during hormonal transitions

• What to expect from treatment (and why consistency matters)

• Complementary practices to enhance your results

If you’ve been curious about acupuncture for stress relief, or if you’re simply looking for science-backed natural solutions, this guide is for you.

Read the full toolkit here →

Mitch Albom Is A ‘Walking Example Of A Second Chance’

This interview with Mitch Albom on Fresh Air really moved me. He’s best known for Tuesdays with Morrie, and he’s out with a new book called Chimes of a Lost Cathedral (though the interview also touches on his latest work about life decisions and how even the smallest changes affect the landscape of our existence).

What draws me to this conversation is Albom’s reflection on second chances and the grace of being able to rewrite our stories–even after profound loss or mistakes. His perspective on resilience, meaning, and human connection feels especially relevant as we navigate our own transitions and transformations.

It’s a lovely, thoughtful conversation that left me feeling more hopeful about the unexpected turns life takes.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts →

Wishing you equanimity and safe, cozy moments as we usher in a new week.

Xoxoxoxox

Dr. Cat 🥰

Is this a modern-day first scene of Macbeth?

Maybe, but this gathering was punctuated by peals of laughter and squeals. And sisterhood.

I joined them.

While my lovely husband was home doing taxes, God bless, I ended up at the impromptu party of women enjoying themselves, tremendously.

👇 In today’s email:

• This week’s inspiration: Happiness as an Act of Rebellion

• Latest blog post: Tips to Wake Up Feeling Lighter without Bloating

• What I’m listening to: A New Position on Sex

Happiness as an Act of Rebellion

That sauna gathering wasn’t planned—it was spontaneous, joyful, and exactly what my soul needed. As I sat there with these women, watching the rain fall and feeling the warmth radiating from our bodies, I realized something: seeking joy isn’t frivolous. It’s essential.

We live in a culture that glorifies productivity and seriousness. Taking time to gather, to laugh until your sides hurt, to feel the contrast of heat and cold on your skin—this feels almost subversive. But your nervous system needs this. Your body craves moments of pure, uncomplicated joy.

The Question:

How should we be in this world? Can we maintain awareness of life’s difficulties while still choosing lightness? Can we let ourselves be called toward the people and experiences that spark genuine happiness—even when the weather is dreary?

This week, consider: Where is your “sauna moment”? What would it look like to say yes to spontaneous joy? Maybe it’s saying yes to that last-minute coffee with a friend, dancing in your kitchen while making dinner, or gathering with women who make you laugh until you can’t breathe.

Choosing happiness doesn’t mean ignoring reality—it means refusing to let reality steal all your light.

Tips to Wake Up Feeling Lighter without Bloating

You know that uncomfortable, puffy feeling so many of us wake up with? You open your eyes, and before your feet even hit the floor, you feel bloated, heavy, and anything but energized.

This morning bloating isn’t just about what you ate last night. It’s about how your body processes fluids while you sleep, how your digestive system functions overnight, and how your lymphatic system is working.

In my latest post, I share practical strategies from Chinese medicine and modern wellness practices to help you wake up feeling lighter:

• The connection between evening hydration and morning bloating

• Why your sleeping position matters

• Simple lymphatic drainage techniques you can do in bed

• The role of evening meals in how you feel the next morning

• Herbal allies that support overnight digestive wellness

These aren’t complicated protocols. They’re gentle shifts that honor your body’s natural rhythms.

Read the full post here →

A New Position on Sex

In the pursuit of feeling better—and in this case, we’re talking about pleasure—I recently listened to a conversation between two doctors, both affiliated with ISSWSH (the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health), discussing women’s sexual fulfillment and desire.

Listen here →

Enjoy,

Dr. Catherine

This week has me reflecting on the power of connection, the importance of light (literally and figuratively), and how simple, nourishing foods can become vessels for love and community.

👇 In today's email:

• This week's inspiration: What Community Taught Me This Fall Equinox

• Latest blog post: Let There Be Morning Light: A Fall Ritual for Brighter Days

• What I Ate: Hummus to Share with Friends

What Gathering with Friends Taught Me

Yesterday, a neighbor invited perhaps 75 people for a fall equinox brunch—beautifully catered, with many of us bringing dishes to share. My husband contributed his crowd-pleasing hummus recipe (which I'm sharing below), and the gathering reminded me why community is essential scaffolding for our lives.

According to many cultures, fall is the time to reassess and reflect on where we're going personally. Like trees releasing their leaves, we too examine what no longer serves us. This season also coincides with the Jewish high holidays—a time for taking stock and examining one's life, seeing where we're hitting the mark and where we're falling short.

A Lesson in Resilience

A decade ago, I had the opportunity to treat a remarkable woman named Leng, who was born in rural Cambodia. Despite speaking no common language—I learned a few sentences in Khmer just to treat her—we had incredible chemistry. She invited me to a Buddhist celebration in Johnston, Rhode Island, where I was embraced by a community of Cambodians who had all survived the atrocities of the Khmer Rouge.

As I watched these people chanting and singing with their souls seemingly intact despite unimaginable suffering, I wondered: How did they not only survive but thrive? The answer became clear—it was their spirituality and firm sense of community that helped them endure.

The Gift of Showing Up

Sometimes it's hard to be in community. If we're introverted, it's easier to stay home and avoid connection. But in opening our hearts and spending our most precious resource—time—with each other, we bank joy and goodwill that will see us through both the best of times and the rockier ones too.

This fall, I invite you to consider: Where can you show up for community? How can you both give and receive the support that makes life's transitions more meaningful?

Latest blog post

​Let There Be Morning Light: A Fall Ritual for Brighter Days​

Sometimes the intensity of summer light can feel overwhelming, but now the sudden reduction is equally shocking. The shadows encompassing a bigger portion of my yard each morning—combined with spending most of my day indoors—has reminded me on a visceral level that I need to supplement light through both a lightbox and intentional outdoor time.

This shift is critical for mental wellness. In my latest blog post, I explore:

The Science of Seasonal Light Changes How reduced daylight affects our circadian rhythms, mood, and energy levels—and why women in perimenopause and menopause are particularly sensitive to these shifts.

Creating Your Morning Light Ritual Practical strategies for incorporating light therapy into your daily routine, from the best timing for light box use to maximizing natural outdoor exposure.

Beyond the Technical Why this simple practice can become a grounding ritual that sets the tone for your entire day, supporting both your physical and emotional well-being.

As we move deeper into fall, establishing consistent light practices isn't just about combating seasonal blues—it's about honoring your body's needs and creating sustainable wellness habits.

​Read the full post here →​

What I ate
​

​Hummus to Share with Friends​

Usually this section features what I'm reading or listening to, but today I'm sharing my husband's simple hummus recipe that makes store-bought versions seem truly sad. This whipped, creamy deliciousness is not only incredibly satisfying and high in protein, but it also embodies the spirit of community I've been reflecting on.

There's something beautiful about food that brings people together. This hummus has become our go-to contribution for gatherings—it disappears quickly and always sparks conversations. Plus, the act of making it yourself is meditative and nourishing in its own right.

Why Homemade Matters Beyond taste, making your own hummus means controlling ingredients and avoiding preservatives. You're also creating something with your hands—a small act of self-care that honors both your body and the people you'll share it with.

The recipe is surprisingly simple, requiring just a few quality ingredients and a food processor. It's the kind of nourishing food that supports stable blood sugar and sustained energy—perfect for women navigating hormonal changes.

​Get the full recipe here →​

I’m cheering for you. Have a wonderful week!

Dr. Cat 🥰

Sometimes our nervous systems send us signals we can't ignore—that restless energy, interrupted sleep, or feeling slightly disconnected from ourselves. Instead of pushing through it, I listened.

👇 In today's email:

• This week's inspiration: Why My Body Craves Sauna + Ocean Right Now

• Latest blog post: Healing in an On-Demand World: What No One Tells You

• What I'm Listening To: Jen Hatmaker's Life Exploded in Middle Age. So She Built a Better One

​Why My Body Craves Sauna + Ocean Right Now​

Something about the sauna is truly transforming. This morning upon waking, I noticed my nervous system sort of rattling with the unsteadiness of the world—sleep interrupted by night sweats, which even my non-perimenopausal friends are suffering from. I felt out of balance with myself and my surroundings, but instead of forcing myself to power through, I listened to what my body was asking for.

I drove with my husband and met friends on South Shore Beach in Little Compton, where we spent an hour alternating between sweating in a beachside sauna and bobbing in the ocean waves. Getting past the rocky beach entrance, we found the smoothest sand and the most incredible green water—the light glimmered on the horizon.

The Magic of Ancient Wisdom

What is it about saunas on a biological level that creates this transformation? When we heat our bodies, we're engaging in one of humanity's oldest healing rituals. Cultures across the globe have used sweating for purification—from Finnish saunas to Native American sweat lodges to Turkish baths.

Here's what happens in your body during this ancient practice:

Heat Shock Proteins Activate: These protective proteins help repair damaged cells and strengthen your immune system.

Endorphins Release: Your body's natural "feel-good" chemicals flood your system, creating that post-sauna euphoria.

Circulation Improves: Blood vessels dilate, improving circulation and delivering nutrients more efficiently throughout your body.

Stress Hormones Drop: The combination of heat and relaxation naturally lowers cortisol levels.

The Cold Plunge Effect

When we added the ocean to our ritual, something even more magical happened. Cold water immersion creates what's called "hormetic stress"—a beneficial stress that actually strengthens your body's resilience. The contrast between hot and cold triggers your vagus nerve, helping reset your nervous system.

After just one hour of this natural therapy, all of us felt completely transformed. The morning's distress had melted away, replaced by genuine elation and a renewed sense of connection—not just to ourselves, but to each other.

Community Amplifies Healing

Here's what I think made this experience so powerful: we weren't doing it alone. There's something profound about sharing these moments with friends.

This is why traditional healing practices were rarely solitary—they were community events that strengthened both individual and collective resilience.

Listen to Your Body's Wisdom

Your body often knows what it needs before your mind does. Maybe it's craving movement, stillness, warmth, coolness, solitude, or connection. The key is learning to tune in and trust those signals.

​Read some more →​

Latest blog post

​Healing in an On-Demand World: What No One Tells You​

In our instant-gratification culture, we expect everything to be fast—including healing.

In my latest post, I explore the real timeline of acupuncture and holistic healing, sharing what two decades of practice has taught me about patience, trust, and the body's incredible wisdom. I dive into why some changes happen immediately while others unfold over months, and how to know when you're on the right track.

This isn't just about managing one's expectations—it's about understanding that one-and-done almost never works. When you work with natural healing modalities, you're not just addressing symptoms; you're giving your entire system permission to rebalance and thrive.

I share stories from my practice, the science behind why healing takes time, and practical guidance for anyone wondering "How long until I feel better?" Whether you're new to acupuncture or a longtime advocate, this post will shift how you think about the healing journey.

​Read the full post here →​

What I'm reading

​Jen Hatmaker's Life Exploded in Middle Age. So She Built a Better One​

I came across this interview a couple of weeks ago and was really inspired. This is the story of Jen Hatmaker, a Christian influencer—a world I know zero about, but within her community, she was influential until she changed her mind on certain personal issues. Then she wasn't just ostracized; she was vilified by the very people who once celebrated her.

What struck me most about Jen's story is how she navigated a complete reinvention in midlife. When everything she thought she knew about her beliefs, her community, and her place in the world shifted, she didn't retreat. She found a new voice, even when it meant facing hatred from people she once considered family.

This resonates deeply with so many of us who are constantly defining and redefining ourselves. Sometimes growth means outgrowing the containers that once held us.

I'm curious what you'll take from her story. How does it feel to witness a woman who found her voice among the critics and chose authenticity over acceptance?

​Listen here →​

I'm cheering for you!

Warmly,

Dr. Catherine 💚

P.S. Special thanks to Kayla at Altaer.space for being the hostess with the mostest and tending to our fire-fed sauna on the beach this morning.

​

Between banned Instagram accounts (yes, really!) and floating in our still-warm Newport waters, I've been thinking about resilience, gratitude, and the simple practices that anchor us when things feel uncertain.

👇 In today's email:

• This week's inspiration: Banned from Instagram and Other Trials and Tribulations

• Latest blog post: Can't Sleep Without Medications? Try This First

• What I'm reading: The Story of Swimming by Susie Parr

Banned from Instagram and Other Trials and Tribulations

I assume that my women's empowerment content is not the most nefarious thing on the Internet, right? Yet, lo and behold, on August 22nd my account (@heydrcatherine) was banned for a violation of "Community Standards on child sexual exploitation, abuse and nudity."

The Crime? I said "I am no Botox virgin" in a video where I was discussing natural alternatives for those who don't want to inject botulinum into their faces. Alas, the word "virgin" suspended my account and also suggested I was a very scummy person.

The Silver Lining

I tried not to obsess, taking this as divine intervention—that I needed a rest from content creation. Though I'll admit, I don't think God gets involved in such small things!

I wondered if I'd ever get my account back, given that Instagram has zero customer service for situations like this. It made me think: are we really living in a world where algorithms get to be judge and jury? I definitely wasn't alone in this digital purgatory—so many small business owners have their accounts ruinously banned for things that simply aren't true.

But then I remembered: "I know a gal who knows a guy"—and magically, the account emerged from the black hole with an apology from Meta Corp.

What I Learned

During this digital detox, I had moments where it was hard to stay positive. But there were lessons in equanimity, gratefulness for the help of a total stranger who went to bat for my account, and the gift of a pause to reflect.

As things have gotten quieter in Newport—and I can finally cross the street without fearing for my life—I've savored some slow walks in the gentle sun, watched the beauty unfold at my three bird feeders, and witnessed countless acts of kindness from others.

Sometimes the pause we resist is exactly what we need.

Latest blog post

​Can't Sleep Without Medications? Try This First​

Every day I learn so many things from my patients, and one patient a couple of weeks ago mentioned a fascinating German study. Participants who woke in the middle of the night were instructed to think of five things they felt grateful for. Remarkably, most of these participants fell deeply back into sleep.

This week, with a full moon and perhaps a couple of other factors, my sleep was a bit disrupted. I tried this technique on a personal level—an n of 1 experiment, if you will.

The Science Behind Gratitude and Sleep

When we shift our minds from worry to gratitude, we're actually changing our nervous system state. Instead of activating our sympathetic "fight or flight" response that keeps us wired, gratitude practices engage our parasympathetic nervous system—the "rest and digest" mode that prepares us for sleep.

Simple Sleep Rituals That Work

The beauty of this approach is its simplicity. No pills, no special equipment—just a gentle redirection of your thoughts toward appreciation. In my latest blog post, I share this technique along with other natural sleep remedies that have worked for both my patients and myself.

We all need sleep, and it helps us deal with everything life throws our way. Sometimes the most powerful medicine is also the gentlest.

​Read the full post here →​

What I'm reading

​The Story of Swimming by Susie Parr​

What is better than sliding into the ocean at sunset to release the stress of the day? The water is warm in Newport and there's still light at the end of the workday. Diving and frolicking in the waters of Third Beach—swimming laps but also doing flips and somersaults like a child—brings me to this euphoric place that inspired me to select The Story of Swimming by Susie Parr from the library this week.

A Journey Through Water and Time

This delightful book explores the history of swimming in the UK, from earliest recorded time. Parr describes how the Romans swam even with armor on around 300 A.D., all the way up to modern-day "bathing." She also mentions the medicinal effects of cold plunging as early as the 1800s.

(Thank you to Mr. Huberman and Dr. Attia, but this practice has been around a long time!)

The Medicine of Movement

I can't say I read the book completely—I would say I more perused it, dipping in and out of certain paragraphs, and definitely enjoyed the photos. But what struck me was how water has always been medicine for humans. Whether it's the Romans using it for recovery, the Victorians prescribing sea bathing for nervous disorders, or me doing my evening somersaults in Third Beach—water heals.

There's something about being held by water that reminds our nervous systems how to let go. Maybe that's why the gratitude-for-sleep technique works so well—it's like mental swimming, a gentle floating away from our worries.

Yes, you can find peace even in the midst of drama and sleepless nights!

Warmly, Dr. Catherine 🌊

There's something so magical about this transition time—when we can finally slow down enough to notice the simple pleasures that were there all along. And here's what I want you to know: you deserve every bit of this joy, every moment of beauty, every simple pleasure that comes your way.

👇 In today's email:

• This week's inspiration: Enjoy, You Deserve It! ✨

• Latest blog post: Relieving Neck and Shoulder Pain Naturally with Acupuncture

• What I'm Reading: Elements of Style by Wendy Wasserstein

Enjoy, You Deserve It! ✨

Like so many of you, I get bogged down in life's details, sometimes hyperfixating on things that are not right—they need to be improved and need to get done. For that reason, I gave myself acupuncture this week, something I don't often do, but I carved out the time to lie down on my amethyst mat and opened up an old book written by my teacher, who is a Daoist priest and quite famous in the world of Chinese medicine. I decided to use one of his protocols on myself—a simple insertion of only six needles, but it was designed to help me feel comfortable in the life that I am living and where I am going.

And so it was with that, I donned the headphones I commonly use on my clients and put myself into what I can only describe as an otherworldly trance.

In my mind, I was on the beach. It was a cool day, but not cold, and it started to snow but I was not cold. I opened up my chest, put my arms above my head, and grasped beautiful snowflakes, and felt a wondrous love coming from the heavens.

In the days since I've given myself this treatment, I've noticed an opening of my heart and a permission to find joy in the smallest things—the silky smoothness of the Japanese ceramic cup my dear friend brought me this summer, my hot coffee this morning, last night's sunset with friends, reading in the quiet of a clean home after my children have gone.

There's a quiet sense of all of the dust settling and the simplicity of early September.

As we enter this new week, I'm hoping you find the open-heartedness to pull in beauty from all of your senses and enjoy what is good. We deserve the beauty. We deserve the enjoyment. Enjoy your Labor Day. I hope you are having a day off from laboring. I hope you're doing what you wish with your time and welcoming in a new season.

Latest blog post

​Relieving Neck and Shoulder Pain Naturally with Acupuncture​

When you say something is a pain in the neck, you actually probably mean it. Perhaps the muscles along your spine tighten as if bracing for impact, or even your shoulders get tight—not necessarily the joint itself, but I actually mean the upper trapezius, like when someone comes to rub your shoulders. It can feel so tight.

I've noticed that we tighten these places when life seems uncertain, and for sure this time in life does feel very uncertain. Almost everyone who comes to me complains of tightness or even pain in those places. Surprisingly enough, some of the points to release those muscles are not in those locations at all—some of them are on the wrist or even on the side of the foot.

That's how acupuncture works: we sometimes release pain where it's felt, or go to a distal location and help unblock the energy. This blog post talks a bit about acupuncture and how we often feel like we need a little loosening up in the neck and shoulders.

​Read the full post here →​

What I'm reading

​Elements of Style by Wendy Wasserstein​

This week I'm reading Elements of Style by Wendy Wasserstein, about a collection of social-climbing Upper East Siders pursuits and affairs. Needless to say, this is light reading, and no tears shed yet for these characters, although I'm only on page 115, I sense something exciting is about to happen.

In any event, it's been easy and entertaining reading, perfect end-of-summer lying-on-the-sofa material.

So far I can say I recommend it. It's somewhere between Page Six, if that still exists, and The Devil Wears Prada.

I'm cheering for you. Have a wonderful week!

Dr. Cat 🥰

If you're feeling utterly depleted right now, you're not alone. Late-summer burnout is incredibly real, especially for women in perimenopause and menopause. We've been running on empty reserves, and our bodies are finally saying, "Enough."

This week, I'm sharing some gentle wisdom about honoring this natural transition and practical ways to restore your depleted energy. Plus, I've got a fascinating conversation recommendation that might just inspire you to embrace the quieter rhythms ahead.

👇 In today's email:

• This week's inspiration: Late-Summer Burnout Is Real: How to Get Your Energy Back

• Latest blog post: Home Remedies for a Good Night's Sleep

• What I'm listening to: A conversation with Thelma Schoonmaker, the editor of every Martin Scorsese film since Raging Bull

​Late-Summer Burnout: How to Get Your Energy Back​

Everyone is exhausted right now. The frenetic brightness of summer excitement and chaos has taken its toll.

Maybe you're a mother who has been home all summer with kids needing rides, snacks, and meals. Or perhaps you're juggling work while managing family logistics with no time for self-care.

Maybe you're childless by choice or circumstance, but you've been the reliable friend saying "yes" to every invitation, caring for aging parents, or managing demanding career responsibilities.

Regardless of your circumstances, summer's demands have left you drained. Those plans that seemed appealing in May now feel overwhelming. What you really want is a quiet room, a good book, and maybe a nap—not another commitment.

Why This Hits Us Harder

We're all prone to late-summer burnout, but those of us in perimenopause and menopause feel it most acutely. Why? Because there wasn't enough water in the well to begin with. We've been operating from a deficit.

This week, so many of my clients have expressed the same sentiment: they're ready for quieter times—cooler nights, better sleep, less stimulation. While the sun has warmed our skin and given us beautiful tans, it has also left us a bit parched and yearning for the restorative time that cooler months will bring.

Gentle Ways to Replenish

As we transition into fall, here are some nurturing practices to help restore your energy:

• Honor the natural rhythm: Just as nature begins to slow down, give yourself permission to do the same

• Prioritize restorative activities: Choose a good book over another social commitment

• Embrace the hygge: Light candles, make warm tea, create cozy spaces that invite rest

• Listen to your body: If you're craving more sleep, earlier bedtimes, or quieter evenings, honor those signals

Remember, this exhaustion isn't a personal failing—it's your wise body asking for what it needs. Yes, you can honor this transition and emerge more energized for the season ahead!

​Read the reset guide →​

Latest blog post

​Home Remedies for a Good Night's Sleep​

"Sleep is the best meditation." – Dalai Lama

Nothing seems to solve more problems than a fabulous night's sleep. Yet for so many women, quality sleep remains elusive—whether it's taking forever to fall asleep while ruminating on the day's problems, or habitually waking between 1 and 3 AM, stressed about what tomorrow might bring.

In my latest blog post, I share gentle, natural remedies that have helped countless women reclaim their nights. From ancient Chinese medicine wisdom to simple bedtime rituals, these approaches honor your body's natural desire for deep, restorative sleep.

With inadequate sleep, life feels overwhelmingly out of control. But with enough quality rest, we suddenly have the resources to face challenges with equanimity and a fresh mind. These aren't just tips—they're invitations to transform your relationship with sleep itself.

​Read the full guide here →​

What I'm listening to

​A conversation with Thelma Schoonmaker, the editor of every Martin Scorsese film since Raging Bull​

I was absolutely captivated by this interview with Thelma Schoonmaker—the woman behind the man, in this case, Martin Scorsese. She's been his editor, sounding board, and creative partner for 60 years, working on iconic films including Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990), and most recently, Killers of the Flower Moon (2023).

What fascinated me most was how she describes that the violence in their films isn't so much filmed as it is created by her work in the editing room. The artistry happens in the quiet moments of decision-making, frame by frame.

I love the origin story of their partnership—how they met when he was an unknown film student and she helped him with an editing problem, creating a lifelong friendship and extraordinary body of work that continues to this day.

If you're ready to retreat from summer's chaos with a thoughtful film, and you happen to select one of theirs, it's wonderful to hear the story of such an accomplished woman still creating her legacy at age 85. There's something inspiring about witnessing a woman who has mastered the art of collaboration while maintaining her own creative vision.

Stay cozy and remember—autumn's quieter rhythms are exactly what your soul is craving right now.

Dr. Cat 🥰