Happiness as an Act of Rebellion
How should we be in this world? Can we dive into lightness and joy even when things feel heavy?
Last Sunday, a coven of half-naked women gathered in a sauna adjacent to the East Bay bike path. They cackled flashing brilliant teeth—not yet stained by 20 years of coffee drinking and when the 180-degree sauna got too hot, they’d rest in lawn chairs as a nor’easter downpoured, steam misting off their skin while they drank hot tea.
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.
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.
Enjoy,
Dr. Catherine