Sometimes, it’s a lot. We all go through this, it’s par for the course for being a human in 2026.
I stepped away from things a little bit in August, including pausing Niki’s Notes, while I recharged. Now I’m back, just in time for that wonderful “back to school” feeling that the end of August brings.
And on that note, I’ve got a truly random collection of perspective pieces for you this week:
🦋 This Week’s Shares: Whys, Hows and Change
- Do you make room for silence? On this podcast, Pico Iyer talks about how he scaled his life down to the basics and substitutes sitting in silence for meditating, which he says he cannot fully master. This resonated because I cannot seem to meditate, but I can enjoy quiet time to be alone with my thoughts.
- I’m seeing this topic everywhere: the vast majority of Americans are against AI data centers, and it goes way beyond NIMBY (not in my back yard). Kara Swisher and her guests, including Erin Brochovich, discuss how this issue unites both sides of the aisle and serves as a proxy for the bigger backlash against big tech and the people running it. Truly a must listen from start to finish. Listen to the podcast here.
- Women’s healthcare has taken a back seat for centuries—MidiHealth is changing the game. If you can’t get to the article, here’s the MidiHealth website.
- Tyler Austin Harper writes about the rising cost of hobbies and what it really costs us for The Atlantic. Here’s a gift link.
Do Good Spotlight: Active Minds
“… We’re not just talking about mental health when there’s a crisis, we’re talking about mental health everyday,” Alison Malmon, Founder & Executive Director of Active Minds.
Originally named “Open Minds,” the organization was created to spread the word that seeking mental health help is a sign of strength, not shame. Now 20 years later, Active Minds has chapters on over 1,000 campuses and communities. Their goal is to support young adult mental health and create change for future generations: Active Minds.
⏳Until Next Time…
Wishing you a wonderful Labor Day weekend and an energizing/productive autumn!
Niki