Girl World #24: Gwynnie, Rebuilding, Astrological New Year, Fixing the Comparison Trap, Sex & Friendship, Simone Ashley, Movement, First Date Uniforms, Nail Trends, Sushi Tacos and more

Happy Spring! 🌷 It’s the astrological new year, and frankly, spring feels more like the new year than January 1 so we’re going with it. Plus, who couldn’t use a little restart for 2025? With the changing seasons, we start our spring cleaning, alter our skincare routines, and prepare to enjoy the warmer temps and busier schedules. With a spring renewal, it’s a great time for inspired change and action. How are we doing on those goals we set in January? Didn’t get around to making any? Make one now! It’s the perfect time for a little refresh, including our habits and goals.

Wrecking Balls and Rebuilding: There may come a point in your life where you’re not happy with where you’re at. This TikTok message from Thaii is worth a listen. It often hits in your 30s and many women face huge upheavals in their lives from ages 37-42. Some call it a midlife crisis. Most call it for what it is: being in the driver’s seat of your life with enough experience, knowledge and (maybe) resources to live the life that you want to live. Or maybe, you’ve just had enough.

It could be a few small changes or one big change in one part of your life, but it can also be like coming in like a wrecking ball and destroying everything you thought you wanted so you can start building the life you actually want now. What you wanted in your 20s doesn’t have to be what you want in your 30s or 40s—that goes for jobs, apartments, relationships, life goals, etc.

“The things that keep me distracted, keep me disconnected.” Whether you are distracted, dissociated, or just unhappy (or a bit of all of it), you may be feeling like it’s time to clear off the desk, remove certain habits or people that no longer fit in your life, and build an aligned life. If you don’t like something in your life, there’s no better time than now to start clearing the path for something new.

Warning: once you start clearing, there will be open space. You aren’t where you used to be, but you aren’t where you want to be-yet. This in between—the white space—is where the magic is. It can be scary, but you’re not alone in your journey. And, the only way is through.

The creator linked above is documenting her experience and she’s in her white space right now. Follow along for a little inspiration to wreck what isn’t working.

1. The Vanity Fair Gwyneth Paltrow interview has been making its rounds on the internet—for good reason. It’s not the headlines that catch our attention like MAHA or Meghan. What we love is the balanced perspective on aging, competing with women (or not), and the personal side. We loved this quote: “I was raised to see other women as friends, not foes…I think there’s always more than enough to go around. Everybody deserves an attempt at everything that they want to try.”

2. This essay on women’s sports is much-needed—especially as women’s sports funding waivers in schools and colleges. We’ve shared in previous issues that women’s sports are the future, and applaud the investments and interest in women’s sports teams we’ve seen in recent years. Investing in more women athletes helps create more women leaders. Let’s go!

3. Melinda French Gates proves that women with money usually do amazing things with it. She’s not falling in line with the tech billionaires and she doesn’t have a ton of ego around giving away much of her fortune.

4. Less than 20% of the biographies on Wikipedia are of women. Women in Red, other volunteer-led groups, and leadership at Wikipedia’s parent organization, Wikimedia, are changing that.

5. Do you feel like everyone else is succeeding more than you—or that you are falling behind? You’re not alone, and you’re probably not as behind as you think you are. These tips help you explore the comparison and/or that flicker of jealousy might experience from time to time.

6. Why did we stop talking about sex with our friends? For a lot of women, it stops when they enter into a long-term relationship. We’re proponents of talking about sex with friends. Of course, as the article explores, there’s a line between privacy and secrecy. But, could a better sex life be one conversation away?

Bridgerton’s Simone Ashley is one to watch. She was lovely in Bridgerton, just released a romantic comedy, is co-starring in Brad Pitt’s F1 movie out in June, and has even more projects lined-up along with endorsement deals. We love a booked and busy woman!

One quote from the interview stood out: “Any time I got rejected or told I couldn’t do something, it felt strongly external,” she says. “I never let it hit my heart. That feeling of believing in myself always outweighed any external denial I may have faced.”

Lessons: Rejection is hard—especially when you haven’t experienced a lot of it in your life. Our brains are programmed to keep us safe and that includes minimizing rejection because it feels unsafe. When we learn to risk being rejected or told no and then learn not to take that rejection personally, we can take really big swings to make changes in our lives and progress our goals.

The only way to learn how to take more risks and allow for rejection is by doing —actually taking chances. It’s called exposure therapy. Start small and work your way up. Apply for jobs you don’t think you’re qualified for. Reach out to someone you’d love to have as a mentor. Reach out to 5 women in your industry. Pitch your business. Slide into a brand’s DM. They’re not all going to say yes. But, one yes can open up the door. And, if they’re all no’s, then you’ve proven to yourself that “no” isn’t all that awful.

And, the other lesson: believe in yourself. Look at all that you’ve accomplished—big and small. You’ve survived it all. Believing in yourself is half the battle. There’s no room for imposter syndrome because no one really knows what they’re doing. Trust us, we’ve been in the room where it happens.

There’s been a lot of talk about SkinnyTok and the resurgence of the toxic relationship many women have with food, exercise, and being as thin as possible. There’s even a new AI filter for fat shaming on the app. We’re not linking to either for obvious reasons. For many millennials, who came to age at a time when they were calling a size 2 Jessica Simpson fat, the push back on body positivity and the toxicity around bodies has been a little triggering.

We’re resisting this whole movement since many of these trends we already experienced in our teens and 20s. Remember Slim Fast? That Special K diet that was just eating Special K? We do—and, no thank you.

Here’s what we are doing: finding fun in movement. It’s a great way to stay active and healthy without dipping into crazy diets and internet fads. So, what does that mean?

We’ve fallen in love with strength training and that’s at the core of building a strong body. Perhaps it’s pilates, running, cycling or barre for you. We love kickboxing—especially this year! Move your body in a way that you actually love instead of punishing your body into a smaller pair of jeans.

It also means: getting on a recreational bike and going for a ride, having walking dates with friends and even walking brainstorms or mentor meetings, going rollerblading, finding a roller skating rink and going for the first time since you were 11. What about finally taking that surfing lesson on vacation? How about a yoga retreat? Gardening is a great workout, too. Jump on a trampoline with your niece. Join a recreational sports team. Have a living room dance party.

These are all easy ways to add in more movement that you actually love doing. It will keep your mind, body and soul healthier.

Weekly Hits: 8 signs you’re not getting enough protein, is testosterone therapy good for women?, is there a right way to breakfast?, jumping up and down can make you morning person—probably, and every diet that works has these 10 common factors.

Spring’s hottest nail color trends are in. We’re getting raspberry and milky lavender ASAP.

Instead of getting married, I’m just having great casual sex. Women in their 30s & 40s are getting to know themselves through exploration. And, it’s lovely.

Love wine but pick your bottles based on the label? Same. Here’s a guide to American wines to start building your wine expertise.

The art of doing nothing—curating a personal day.

Love F1? Listen to these female F1 podcasters.

Considering PRF fillers? Read this author’s experience.

10 chic ways to wear a polo so you don’t feel like you’re in 2009 again.

Do you have a first date uniform? If not, here’s a guide to what to wear on a first date.

Spring shoe trends include woven shoes and gladiators. Hello, nostalgia. Maybe we still have some in the back of our closet?

What’s the difference between dry skin and dehydrated skin?

Going Out: Visit a flower show in the city closest to you or head out to a botanical garden to start embracing the spring flowers coming our way. It’ll give you a little mental boost! We’re meeting up for a matcha date with an old friend while out of town. And, visiting our favorite local soft-serve ice cream shop that’s open for the season!

Watching: Heading to the movie theater to see Cate Blanchett’s Black Bag

Listening: BLACKPINK’s LISA’s new album, Alter Ego and Selena Gomez’s I Said I Love You First on repeat

Reading: It’s a fiction weekend with Alternate Endings

In the Kitchen: Sushi Tacos, because why not combine two things we love?

Moving our Bodies: We’re heading to some trails this weekend since it’s nice enough (and not muddy). Strength training can become addictive, but it’s a good kind of addiction. So, join us in getting a little stronger this weekend! And, take a moment to stretch. You’re body will thank you.

💋 Jamie | Late August Media Founder

Girl World is a Late August Media publication.