Wellness Over Wealth? 🧠

Wellness: A new global study just confirmed what many of us already feel: being “successful” doesn’t mean what it used to.

According to EY’s latest report, Gen Z is officially choosing well-being over wealth. Nearly half of young Americans said mental and physical health matter more than job titles, money, or status. Relationships came in second. Wealth and career? They’re somewhere behind actually feeling okay.

This isn’t just a vibe shift, it’s a value shift. People are rethinking hustle culture, prioritizing therapy over burnout, and choosing boundaries over bragging rights.

For millennial women navigating work, family, side hustles, and self-care, this resonates. It’s not about doing it all. It’s about doing what feels good. You don’t have to grind to prove your worth. If you're choosing sleep, therapy, or saying "no" over another 12-hour day? You're already winning.

News: A new report says what a lot of us have suspected: social media is messing with girls’ heads and not in a fun, filtery way.

According to the findings, girls who spend a lot of time on social platforms are more likely to feel anxious, isolated, and way too focused on how they look. It’s not just about self-esteem. These algorithms are also nudging girls away from STEM careers, leadership roles, and anything that doesn’t fit the influencer mold.

By age 15, in some countries, almost half of girls are spending 1–3 hours a day scrolling on school nights. That time adds up and so do the mental health side effects.

If you’re a millennial woman watching your younger cousins, nieces, or even your own kids grow up online, this hits close. And if you’re navigating your own feed, it’s a good reminder to unfollow, mute, and log off when needed.

Finance: Let’s talk investing because while we love a good self-care ritual, long-term financial peace of mind is the kind of glow-up we’re really after.

ETFs (aka Exchange-Traded Funds) are one of the easiest ways to get started. They’re like the smoothie bowls of investing: one blend, lots of good stuff inside. You get diversification, lower fees, and less stress about picking the one winning stock. So if you’re ready to move beyond your savings account (or finally open that brokerage account you’ve been “meaning to”), here are 3 ETFs worth looking into:

1. Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI)

VTI gives you exposure to the entire U.S. stock market, from big names like Apple and Amazon to smaller companies you’ve never heard of but wish you had. It’s low-cost, well-balanced, and built for the long game.

• Expense ratio: 0.03% (aka extremely low)

2. iShares MSCI ACWI ETF (ACWI)

ACWI invests in both U.S. and international companies, giving you global exposure without needing to be fluent in global markets. Think of it as a well-rounded bestie who knows what’s happening in Tokyo, Paris, and New York—so you don’t have to.

• Expense ratio: 0.32%

3. Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ)

QQQ tracks the Nasdaq-100, which means it’s loaded with companies like Apple, Microsoft, and Nvidia. If you’re okay with some ups and downs in exchange for high growth potential, QQQ is your girl.

• Expense ratio: 0.20%

Podcast Rec: The Soarce is your cultural reset and weekly permission slip to spiral, self-reflect, and stay curious. In this weekly podcast, host Arpita Mehta encourages other like-minded millennials to come on a journey with her as she uses her own life as a test run to find answers to the questions we all have. Your go-to source for all things real, funny, and wildly relatable.

Recipe: This Ginger-Scallion Tofu and Greens is the perfect dish to cool you down in this summer heat. A classic Chinese condiment, ginger-scallion oil is most commonly served with poached chicken but is incredibly versatile and shines here, applied to cold silken tofu and blanched greens.