I Wrote Dozens of Gratitude Notes for a Week and Here’s How It Went

Brit Morin
May 28, 2018

Today, I’m diving into one of my #GiveItAWeek challenges that made me really happy (and hopefully made you happy too!). This one was all about gratitude, which science says is proven to help make us happier in our relationships and work. My goal was to write a new letter of appreciation to someone every day, but after getting so many DMs from you guys, I quickly discovered that I couldn’t pick just five. So I ended up writing DOZENS of gratitude notes. Here’s how it went:

(Oh, and for those of you who haven’t been following along with my #GiveItAWeek challenges, you can still catch-up here or over at @brit!).

Picking the recipients

I first asked my followers to DM me the best selfies of their happiest faces in order to pick a lucky few to send to. Suffice to say, I was blown away by all of the responses. The silly, happy faces made my day, and it was so much fun getting to know everyone by face and not just username. I decided to do something crazy. Instead of selecting my favorite five followers to send handwritten notes to, I’d send one to each and every one of them.

sending the letters

But as much as I wanted to create something uniquely special, I am a CEO and a mom of toddlers who travels nearly every week. I knew I’d never find the time. So I recruited Punkpost — a company founded by a former B+C’er named Alexis! — to help me do all of the handwriting and designs. You guys, this service is INCREDIBLE. You just download the app (or go onto the website), type in the address and a short message, then a real-life human artist will hand letter and illustrate the card for you AND ship it off to your recipient, all for $5.

the responses

The best part of all of this was the sheer happiness everyone had when receiving my notes. The love I received from was amazing — it proved the point that something as simple as a couple sentences could make an entire person’s day better. Seriously, I was overwhelmed with each of the sweet replies. Can I do this every week?!

MY TAKEAWAY

It’s so crazy to think how taking a few minutes to handwrite (not text or email) a note to someone can totally turn their day around. Of course, I was completely obsessed with Punkpost to help me with my letters (they employ artists for the job, which is pretty cool) and for holidays, thank yous and birthdays, I could definitely see how this would be a huge help!

That said, I do think I’ll be investing in some more cute, personalized stationery so I can keep going with this #GiveItAWeek challenge even after my week is up. Excuse me while I go on a buying spree on Etsy!

Psst: If you’re looking to fine-tune your own card writing skills, take a look at our awesome hand lettering or illustration classes.

How are you expressing your creativity right now? Share it with me on Instagram, @brit.

I Took On 52 Fitness Challenges For A Year And Here’s What Happened

In 2019, I took a chance on fitness: I set out to try a different kind of fitness each week of the year. That's 52 different kinds of fitness. I was inspired by Brit + Co Founder and CEO Brit Morin and her #GiveItAWeek challenges. (You can check out Brit's full year of weekly challenges @brit on Instagram.)


I've been a runner for almost 10 years now. Being a runner is part of my identity, it's part of who I am. I can't tell you the number of times people have said to me, "I could never be a runner!!" And the number of times I've responded "Yes, you can!!"

Or, they'd say, "I hate running, but I want to be a runner!"

It hit me one day, when I was talking to someone who loved dance fitness as much as I loved running: there are SO MANY types of fitness out there. There are so many different ways to be active. And I wanted to try more of them.

That's what inspired #fitforsevens.

Below are some of the lessons learned during my 52 weeks of different kinds of fitness:

  1. There are so many ways to sweat and be active. I didn't even make it through my entire list of different kinds of fitness — which included way more than 52 — that I wanted to try!
  2. The fitness industry capitalizes on body shaming, insecurities and diet culture. Unfortunately the majority of the gyms or new workout regimens I tried had a weight loss focus. One trainer even asked me during an introductory assessment, "How long have you hated your body?"
  3. Fitness culture is real and can be hard to break into. It can take a couple visits to know if you fit with the community of a particular gym or fitness space. Be brave and be patient.
  4. You have to do it for you, not anyone else. When I would invite someone to join me on one of the weeks, often they wouldn't show up or would cancel right beforehand. I think that fitness is one of those things that people choose to bail on — it's just too much of a commitment for some — so you can't rely on other people to help you reach your goals. You have to do it for you.

My favorites workouts

A few of my favorites were honestly surprising to me! I did not expect to love axe throwing (Week 13) as much as I did. If you haven't tried it yet, you need to!! I also loved Bar Method (Week 6) and pilates (Week 39) — both were such different kinds of fitness and movement. I was so sore from Bar Method!

My all-time favorite week though was visiting a women-owned CrossFit gym (Week 42) that is new to Fresno/Clovis. It was so different than any other CrossFit gym I've ever visited and the environment that the coaches and members created made me feel at home instantly. It confirmed one of the biggest lessons that I learned all year: that environment and community matters so much to a fitness experience.

Least favorite workouts

I don't love big box gyms (the ones that just have rows and rows of equipment and machines). I need more structure than those spaces offer for me and I need a greater sense of community. The price point for these gyms usually make them more accessible but for me they don't provide the accountability and community that I want and need.

I also had a really disappointing experience at a boot camp gym where I experienced an unfortunate amount of body shaming and weight-loss-only focused goal setting. Fitness is not always about weight loss, and it was disheartening to see some gyms capitalize on body shaming as a marketing technique.

What I learned about my fitness language

I need community. I care much more about how a place makes me feel than the kind of workout that I'm getting. Ideally, you'll find a place or a kind of fitness that makes you feel both. Because I work from home, I appreciate the community that my gym now brings me. It helps me to have somewhere to go and something to schedule my days around.

Would I do #fitforsevens again?

Maybe someday, but not someday soon, haha. It was so fun and I'm so proud of myself for completing the challenge, but I'm ready to focus more on my fitness in CrossFit, swimming, biking and running. There are still so many kinds of fitness that I did not get to try though, so overall, I think this challenge encouraged me to be more adventurous with my fitness.

Looking ahead

As a long-time runner, I never thought I'd find another kind of fitness that I love as much as running. Running is still my greatest fitness love, but I learned that there are so many ways to move your body out there. My #fitforsevens challenge made me realize that I'm stronger than I think I am and inspired me to quit my full-time job to chase a huge dream: training for an Ironman!

THE LIST

Below are all of the 52 kinds of fitness that I tried. You can find videos and more @sweatytearsofjoy on my highlights:

1. Weighted vest workouts

2. Burpees and SUP

3. Yoga

4. CycleBar Fresno

5. Run 5 miles 5x

6. Bar Method

7. Fit Body Boot Camp

8. Blue Moon Yoga

9. Double Unders

10. EmPack

11. TRX Suspension Training

12. Biking

13. Axe Throwing

14. Hip Circle

15. Resistance Bands

16. Juggling and Lunastix

17. Plank

18. Old Town Yoga (online)

19. Old Town Yoga (class)

20. Weight Vest Running

21. Orange Theory Fitness

22. Rollerblading

23. Fitness Social - TRX focus

24. Fit Body Boot Camp

25. Aerial Yoga

26. Swimming

27. 9Round Fitness

28. Driving Range

29. Night Running

30. Stretching

31. Tai chi

32. Dance fitness

33. Esports

34. Hiking solo

35. Peloton

36. Garmin

37. Kettlebells

38. Trail running

39. Pilates

40. Pumpkin workout

41. High altitude running

42. Uncaged CrossFit

43. Fitness Social - Kettlebell focus

44. Park workouts

45. Tennis

46. Step aerobics

47. Body pump

48. Tabata fitness

49. Open-water swimming

50. Open gym

51. Fitness apps

52. MURPH/Hero workouts

I hope that you spend 2020 trying things that you're afraid to try. I hope that you try things that you might be bad at. And I hope you get sweaty.

fitness challengeworkoutsgive it a weekself careself-carefitness

Hold Up, Did Rebecca Yarros' First 'Onxy Storm' Excerpt Just Tease Violet Sorrengail's True Identity?

Fans of Fourth Wing are on pins and needles because Rebecca Yarros just announced she's finished writing the third book in the Empyrean series! It's us, we're fans — along with over half of BookTok.

We can't believe we're getting closer to reading more about Violet Sorrengail's journey, but we know you have a ton of burning questions about the release date for Book No. 3.

We may not have all the answers, but we've done a little digging to share as much as we can because who doesn't want to know what Rebecca Yarros has been up to?

I'm new to the Empyrean series. Are "Fourth Wing" and "Iron Flame" really worth reading?

Amazon

I'm not going to lie to you. The editorial team, including myself, are extremely biased about Fourth Wingand Iron Flame. From my perspective, I think these are great books for anyone who had the pleasure of growing up during the great Harry Potter era and moved on to watchingGame of Thrones and House of Dragons.

Did she announce the name of book no. 3?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

YES! Book No. 3 is titled Oynx Storm.

Knowing what we do about the manifestation of Violet's powers, I think this could hint she's going to play an even larger role in the series. According to a fan theory shared on TikTok(via Empyrean Riders), it's believed that Violet and Xaden Riorson are actually gods. Stay with me here.

Empyrean Riders noted that Violet's last name means heavenly and that she's able to control time thanks to her connection to the young dragon Andarna (I love her so much!). That sounds pretty god-like to me.

And when asked which two Taylor Swift songs describe Onyx Storm, Rebecca Yarros chose "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" from The Tortured Poets Department and "So It Goes..." from Reputation. "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" is one of Taylor's most powerful songs and definitely translates the idea that Violet's powers are going to be stronger than ever, while "So It Goes..." is equal parts suspense and seduction, and is TOTALLY about "all the pieces fall right into place" to get together with the right person.

There's so much more to unpack so I suggest grabbing a yummy snack while you fall down the rabbit hole. All I'm sure of is that Onyx Storm is going to leave our emotions in shambles just like Fourth Wing and Iron Flame did.

When did Rebecca Yarros announce she's done writing book no. 3 in the series?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

On June 17, Rebecca Yarros shared this image of her laptop to indicate she'd finished the third book in the Empyrean series.

She wrote, "(Pic from one of the very many locations in which this book was written)," towards the end of the caption before adding a few relevant hashtags to it.

When will Onxy Storm be available for purchase?

Rebecca Yarros/Instagram

Rebecca Yarros exclusively told Good Morning America that fans can expect the book to hit shelves January 21, 2025! That gives us a little over six months to prepare our emotions for what's sure to be a storm of a book.

She said, "There will be politics, new adventures, old enemies and of course, dragons." There's no way she could forget the dragons because I'd willingly riot over them. They deserve to have their stories told forever.

As luck would have it, Cosmopolitan received an exciting first look at what's to come in Onyx Storm. The excerpt begins with Violet realizing the Venin have found their way into Basgiath War College and are wreaking havoc. Alongside Rhiannon, Sawyer, and Ridoc, she races to stop the Venin from releasing Jack Barlowe from his prison cell.

However, Violet's shocked when she discovered one of the "dark wielders" has a long silver braid that closely resembles her own. Before she can fully react, the woman disappears. According to Screen Rant, there are possible theories about why Violet saw her and what this means for her growing power.

Towards the end of the excerpt, Violet discovers the Venin want to capture her too. Also, Xaden makes his long-awaited appearance and it's clear their playful banter in the face of danger hasn't changed. That he hasn't fully changed into the Venin Violet's used to seeing.

I officially can't wait to read the rest of the book in January!

Has Rebecca Yarros revealed the cover for Onyx Storm?

Today/Bree Archer, Elizabeth Turner Stokes for Entangled Publishing

Onyx Storm

Yes!

TODAY received an exclusive look at the cover for Onyx Storm and it doesn't disappoint! Unlike its predecessors, it appears Rebecca Yarros is hinting that darker events will take place.

Fans of the Empyrean series aren't the only ones who are excited to see what fate has in store for our favorite characters though. In a statement to TODAY, Rebecca revealed how elated she is to be working on the series again. "It's amazing to be back with these characters again. She also said, ""I can't wait for readers to see what Violet, Xaden, and the rest of the quadrant have in store for them in Onyx Storm!"

Are you excited for the release of Onyx Storm? Follow us on Facebook for more entertainment news!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated.

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Casting Call: We Want You to Model for Us!

At Brit + Co, we believe that courage, curiosity, creativity, and confidence are contagious. The more we encourage these qualities in women, the more empowered they’ll feel to empower other women, and the better the world will be. We celebrate all folks from all walks of life, and representation is important to us. That’s why we’re reaching out to you, our community, in search of diverse faces that represent our audience and the world. If you or someone you know is interested in joining our modeling team, we’re holding an open casting call! Join us:

WHEN: Friday, March 29, from 11am-3pm and

Saturday, March 30, from 10am-2pm

WHERE:Brit + Co Headquarters, 550 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94102

WHO: We are looking for all different types of people! Bring your moms, your pals, your partners, and your kiddos!

(Local to Bay Area only)

HOW: Please fill out this questionnaire!

EXPECT: To spend about an hour of your time.

We can't wait to meet you!

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WHICH Movie Had Kate Winslet "Sh—ing" Herself?!

Kate Winslet is THE Hollywood actress to me. Not only has she starred in box office smashes like Titanic and Avatar: Way of Water, but she's proven her acting chops in breakout indie flicks and provided mothers and daughters everywhere with eternal Christmas movie nights thanks to The Holiday. But the actress' consistently viral kindness, her dedication to embracing her natural beauty, and her sophistication don't mean she always feels confident. Kate Winslet just spilled on the one movie from her career that had her "sh—ing" herself, and I just had to dive in.

Here's what Kate Winslet had to say about her scariest movie experience ever.

  • Kate Winslet made a name for herself with Titanic, Sense & Sensibility, and The Holiday.
  • However those movies aren't the film she wants fans to ask about!
  • The actress spills on the movies she's proud of, and the one job that had her "sh—ing myself."

Talking to Vanity Fair for her newest film Lee, Kate Winslet revealed one project she wishes fans asked about more is Iris. The 2001 film stars Kate as a young Iris Murdoch against Judi Dench's older counterpart. And for Kate, nothing was more terrifying than working with such a wonderful actress.

"People don’t really ask me about Iris. It’s such a delicate film," she says. "It was the first thing I had done after having my daughter. Going to work with a baby, I’m playing Iris Murdoch, looking to Judi Dench’s older Iris Murdoch — I was sh—ting myself."

Considering how nervous I get when I meet my heroes, I can only imagine what it was like to meet Dame Judi Dench. Talk about a dream! Another film Kate loves is Revolutionary Road, and not just because she got to reunite with Leonardo DiCaprio.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says of the film, which follows an ambitious couple who find themselves trapped in the reality of 1950s suburbia. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

The process for getting Lee into the world sounds equally brutal, considering Kate started working on it over a decade ago. As producer, Kate tells Vanity Fair she doesn't mind the fact she's done more for the film than if she only had an acting credit. "That has felt very necessary for this film. But it’s also just really important to me," she says. "It’s important to me that people know that it’s out there and might feel compelled to go and see it."

Because it turns out, commercial success or stardom on its own doesn't actually help your movie get made! "It doesn’t matter who you are," she says. "No one’s going to go, 'Oh, I’ll just back that pony because she was in Titanic.' It doesn’t happen that way, and I never expected that. That’s really important to say."

"I've gotten older and I’ve learned more and felt more confident in myself about whether or not I could actually do it," she adds. "It’s not something I would’ve done had I not felt so passionately about the subject, and Lee was just—she wouldn’t let me go."

Let us know your favorite Kate Winslet movies in the comments, and since we've officially entered cozy season, check out Why The Holiday Movie Ending Is The Most Important Scene while you're at it!

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Here's A New Look At Florence Pugh's Return As Yelena Belova

Marvel movies are known for their heroes and their hopeful outlook on the world. But in 2025, we're getting a brand new team: the Thunderbolts. This team is made up of antiheroes and former villains, and it's sure to be the wackiest and strangest, as well as one of the most memorable, superhero movies we've seen in recent years.

Keep reading for the latest news on Thunderbolts* before it hits theaters in 2025.

Marvel Studios/YouTube

Thunderbolts* comes out this May, and the cast just showed off some brand new footage at the D23 convention — and thanks to the new 'Celebrating 85 Years' spot, we have the first look too!

We get a look at Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, John Walker, and Ghost. Plus, Yelena Belova, of course. This heartbreaking detail about Yelena's new look connects Florence Pugh's Yelena to Scarlett Johansson's Natashaand I'm WEEPING.

Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios

And at D23 Brazil, we got a brand new look at my new favorite team. "There’s something in this film, in terms of superpowers and superheroes, that shows that our superpowers lie in how ‘broken’ we are," David Harbour said at the event. "As if our superpowers came from our relationships.”

What is the plot of Thunderbolts?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Plot

Consider Thunderbolts* to be The Avengers' edgy younger sibling. The movie follows Yelena Belova (who we know off the bat is a "depressed assassin" thanks to a Marvel Studios press release). She's joined by Bucky Barnes, The Red Guardian, and John Walker. Based on a leak, it looks like we'll see this group of misfits team up against Valentina Allegra de Fontaine after she sends them on a deadly mission.

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Jesse Grant/Disney

Thunderbolts* Release Date

Thunderbolts* hits theaters May 2, 2025.

Who's on the Thunderbolts team?

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Thunderbolts* Cast

Thunderbolts* stars Florence Pugh, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Sebastian Stan, and David Harbour.

This is a huge cast, and Viswanathan just revealed how crazy the first day of filming was. “My first day didn’t feel real," she tells Vanity Fair. "I felt this extra pressure of, ‘Know your lines, babe. You can’t really play around like you usually do.’"

Historically, sci-fi fans haven't been kind to actresses in their favorite projects (remember when Star Wars fans bullied Kelly Marie Tran off social media?). But Viswanathan is already thinking ahead. “If it’s overwhelming, I’ll log off. But I like discourse around pop culture,” she says. “[Thunderbolts*] felt a little bit edgier and fresher, more existential and dark.”

Jesse Grant/Disney

The rest of the cast also enjoyed working together. “Everyone is going to f—kin’ love me! It’s really, really, really fun to be with a group of actors that you have a good time with," Wyatt Russell says at Comic Con (via Variety), while David Harbour adds, “Florence Pugh [is] just electric to work with. There’s warmth and humor, but there’s also a lot of pathos.”

“This is why we can't stop laughing together, because we genuinely just had such a wonderful time with each other and we've loved working with one another," Pugh tells People. “I feel like this is something that we've never seen before from Marvel...it's a very open and honest and truthful idea. And I'm just really excited for people to watch it.”

Are you excited for this brand new chapter in the MCU? I really feel like Thunderbolts* will usher in a whole new generation of fans and I, for one, CANNOT WAIT! Let us know your thoughts on Facebook.

Lead images via Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

This post has been updated.

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