The Midweek Reset
Embracing Mindfulness Amidst the Election Season
Hi love,
Welcome to the first edition of The Midweek Reset here on With Serena Nicole! I’m so grateful you’re joining me on this journey. I’ve poured so much love into this space, and I hope it brings a moment of calm to your week.
As election day approaches, I’ve been reflecting on how mindfulness can help us manage emotions during intense times. Today, I’m sharing some tips that I hope will support and inspire you.
Personal Update: Navigating Election Season with Mindfulness
Lately, I’ve been focused on managing my emotions around the election cycle. Emotions run high during this time, and even though my friends and family share similar values, we often express them in different ways—especially in how we vote. This can make conversations about politics tricky, and I know many of us feel the strain.
One practice that’s helped me stay grounded is mindful media consumption. I usually listen to NPR on my way to and from the gym in the morning; and watch MSNBC as I get ready for my day. However, I have decided not to watch or listen to any news until the day of the election — to protect my mental.
By bringing awareness to my own feelings and taking intentional steps to stay centered, I’m finding more peace amid the noise. I hope these reflections resonate with you as we all navigate this intense season.
Heart-Centered Practice: Loving-Kindness Meditation
I’ve been leaning into loving-kindness meditation lately, and it’s truly a game changer. Extending kindness, even to those with differing views, has been challenging but also empowering. I even made a light-hearted TikTok and Instagram Reel on how people sometimes assume meditators are always calm and undisturbed—if only that were true, right? 😊
Here’s how you can try it yourself:
Beginner: Start by focusing on yourself. Imagine a warm light surrounding you, and silently repeat, “May I be happy, may I be safe, may I be at ease.”
Intermediate: Extend this kindness to someone you care about. Visualize them in a similar light and offer the same phrases of loving-kindness.
Advanced: Bring to mind someone with whom you disagree. Extend these wishes to them, too. Notice any resistance that arises and observe it with compassion.
Practicing loving-kindness can be hard, but it’s a beautiful way to transform our reactions and nurture inner peace.
What I’m Into This Week
Here are a few things bringing me joy this week—maybe they’ll bring a spark to your life too!
Show: The Smart Money Woman on YouTube. Based on The Smart Money Woman book by Arese Ugwu, this series is thoughtful and inspiring. It’s definitely a must-watch, and the book is next on my reading list.
Podcast: 10% Happier with Dan Harris. I especially loved this episode with Ofusu Jones-Quartey and Cara Lai. They discuss how resisting difficult emotions only amplifies them—a perfect listen if election stress is weighing on you.
Product: I’ve recently started incorporating The Ordinary’s Retinol into my skincare routine. With 40 around the corner (I still have a few years), I’m focusing on proactive aging care, and this product has already shown such great results.
Your Love-Work for the Week
Instead of “homework,” let’s call this Love-Work—something positive you can explore to support your well-being.
This week, I encourage you to try a short loving-kindness meditation. Set aside five minutes each day to send kind thoughts to yourself and others. Notice how this practice impacts your mood and interactions with others.
Something to Ponder
As we explore mindfulness, here’s a favorite poem to reflect on:
"Clearing" by Martha Postlethwaite
Do not try to save the whole world
or do anything grandiose.
Instead, create a clearing
in the dense forest of your life
and wait there patiently,
until the song that is your life
falls into your own cupped hands
and you recognize and greet it.
Only then will you know
how to give yourself
to this world
so worthy of rescue.
May this poem inspire you to create a quiet space within yourself during challenging times.
Thank you so much for joining me for the first installment of The Midweek Reset! I’d love to hear how these reflections and practices resonate with you—feel free to reply or leave a comment and share your thoughts. And if you know someone who might enjoy this little moment of calm, please share it with them too.
Until next time,
Serena Nicole