What if every day began with words that could change your life, from a friend who truly sees you?
This week, we sat down with Michelle Maros, writer, podcast co-host, and co-founder of the mindfulness community Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life, to talk about her new book, Dear Friend: Daily Notes for Contemplation, Connection, and Clarity. Much like the podcast Michelle creates with her mom, Barb Schmidt, the book reflects on the healing and growth that can happen in everyday moments with gentle reminders.
With her new book out now, Michelle talked to us about leaning into intention and shares practical tools that help you show up for yourself.
You already have a very meaningful podcast, what sparked the idea for a book?
My mom has been teaching meditation and mindfulness for my whole life. She went into treatment for an eating disorder before I was born, and it was there that she learned about these practices, and it was instilled in her the benefits of them. Growing up, she kind of started this routine before leaving the house, [where] she would read something that was speaking to her in that moment as a way to start the day on a positive note or an inspirational note, because life is chaotic and stressful. You leave the house and all hell breaks loose.
This book, in particular, [became] that daily routine of reading a short passage, an inspirational phrase, an affirmation, or a reminder, where I could really feel and understand the benefits and create my own take on it. It was a labor of love, but I'm really excited and hoping that the messages of each day are helpful for people, or give someone whatever they might need in whatever moment.
