Wishing You All the Best, 2025
As 2025 slips into the rearview and 2026 takes its place stage left, it seems like a fitting moment to reflect on the wellness habits that carried me through what I can only describe as a tumultuous, arduous year—one I’ll unpack more fully in a later post.
These are the rituals that kept me sane—well, almost—and brought small moments of joy to my days and nights.
The Buzz
At CbC, we love The Skinny Confidential—the podcast, the recommendations, the products, Michael and Lauryn (especially Lauryn… sorry, Michael). Their recs are, truly, chef’s kiss. Beekeeper’s Naturals is no exception.
Founded by Carly Stein, a former finance professional, Beekeeper’s Naturals creates propolis-infused, bee-derived products—say that three times fast—designed to quietly support your daily routine. I start nearly every morning with the honey (delicious on sourdough) and four pumps of the immune support spray, which somehow tastes almost as good.
Since starting Beekeeper’s several months ago, I haven’t been sick once.So this winter? Illness, buzz off. We won’t bee having anything to do with you.
Pill Popping
Pill popping is not my favorite pastime, so I subscribe to one simple rule: if it’s not worth it, I’m not swallowing.
My daily lineup includes Fatty15, Ritual’s Daily Vitamin (the mint flavor helps), nightly magnesium (I genuinely don’t sleep without it), vitamin C, and collagen in my coffee every morning—after two full glasses of water. These are my everyday steadies.
Hot Dog Walks
My best sanity hack is a Hot Dog Walk—which, sadly, does not involve Portillo’s (IYKYK).
Nothing clears my head like a walk outside—it has to be outside. Fresh air and nature ground me in a way nothing else quite does. Whether I’m listening to a podcast or talking through ideas with my AI, I aim for 8,000–10,000 steps every day.
Honestly? It’s been a year, and I haven’t always been as consistent as I’d like. So for 2026, this one stays on the list: Hot Dog Walks—10K steps (or paw prints) per day. Wolfie and I will be so fit by the end of the year. The others? Fawning in our wake… or walk.
Red Light District
My days are stressful and marked by constant movement. My nights are about slowing down and creating a moment of pause with an intentional routine.
Red light draws me in like a moth to flame. I start by removing my makeup and doing a double—sometimes triple—cleanse (Elemis balm, Elemis cleanser, a splash of micellar water), followed by my red-light mask. It’s quiet, focused time—often with a podcast or meditation playing softly in the background.
After 10–15 minutes of light, I head back to the bathroom to finish my skincare routine with Dr. Diamond—of course—Metacine Plasma and Emulsion. Then I’m almost re(d)ady for bed.
A Quiet Burn
One thing I hate? Being cold.
The final steps of my nighttime routine revolve around warmth, scent, and stillness. I heat a lavender-scented neck wrap in the microwave (pure heaven, and another Lauryn suggestion), light a Diptyque Feu de Bois or Vanilla candle, apply my Skinny Confidential mouth tape, slip onto a satin pillowcase, and curl up beside my favorite Pomeranian.
So to you, 2025—I can’t say I’ll miss you.
But I can say this, sincerely: I wish you well.
