The Saturday Letter: An old email.

#003: And what nostalgia can remind us of.

Hello from our rental car, after making our way through Canal Street’s Chinatown. We’re on our way to Harrisonburg, Virginia, to celebrate my best friend’s housewarming. Harrisonburg is a little town in the mountains I spent four years living in while going to college. It’s tattooed on my ankle in the symbolic form of a mountain.

As we prepare to climb that mountain via car (a Mustang, if you can believe it, which I cannot emphasize enough is the opposite of any car Dan or I would ever pick, lol), I’m finally getting to some emails. It was a pleasant surprise to open up an unexpected one from an old friend titled, “nostalgia.” It will make sense once you read this email, which I include below (thanks to the greenlight from Chantal), but it’s not lost on me that the road conditions are rainy and snowy, much like a pivotal moment on these very mountains I based my commencement speech at graduation on.

I could not anticipate the whimsy it would bring me. I had no idea of the whimsy it would return to me.

I know the email may not mean a whole lot to you. But I thought if you like emails and you’re here with me (in your inbox! for some reason! so kind!), it could bring you some semblance of whimsy, too, whether in the form of inspiration or levity or something else.

Our chat took place right after graduation in 2016 and there are so many things that are different, including my energy levels at 9:30pm, lol. But I was touched how Chantal described this interaction about some of my interactions as “hopeful.” It reminds me of what is possible.

Although it’s almost ten years old now (!?!?), it’s a chance to dig up my past and learn a little more about me. Some try to shed their past selves, but I’m always trying to bring her along with me.

This email made me reflect on how I started my career in DC, a beyond unlikely place for me at the time, and ending up loving it and returning a little over two years later. It also made me think of how before Los Angeles became my “dream city” in college, it was originally New York City in middle school, and here I am. If the good things return to us, we’ll be alright, won’t we?

“I love telling stories and sports is a story.” Hilarious.

Thank you, Chantal. This email was such a gift. What gift from the past can you drum up for yourself today?

Comment if you think Chantal should start writing again. Come to Substack, Chantal! The water is nice!

I hope this space continues to warm you like it warms me. Welcome again. See you at the bottom.

The Diplomat needs 10 seasons. Two is not enough, and Allison Janney deserves an Emmy for THAT scene, NOW. Speaking of other famous white women I love (read: Cate Blanchett), I might write a little something for In Deep about Disclaimer soon. I’m feeling extremely conflicted. Has anyone else watched? Let me know in the comments.

You already know. Wicked: The Soundtrack. Should I give new Kendrick a listen, too?

It’s been a busy week and reading flew out the window first! But if you count reading and re-reading the Wicked essay I wrote on my experience watching the film in theatres and how it drummed up a lot of feelings for me…then yes. So much reading my eyes are crossed, lol.

After months of talking to different experts, I learned that increased exercise combined with inadequate recovery, plus excessive mental stress, (read: me 🤡) was possibly contributing to elevated cortisol levels, aka stress hormone levels. I’m pretty hesitant about trying new supplements, but I gave Rebalance a try for a bit as a potential salve for this, since they so kindly let me try at no cost.

The supplements are made to balance cortisol levels, provide anxiety relief, and promote better sleep and energy levels once it builds in your system after around 90 days. Sadly, I did not take them all that long (it involves three lozenges a day, which I couldn’t keep up with, lol). But if you’re interested in giving it a go, I’m happy to pass on a ton of information I learned (I interviewed the doctor behind the science via email). Leave a comment if so! But of course, always consult with your healthcare provider first.

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"When you’re accustomed to privilege, equality feels like oppression." – Clay Shirky

If you liked or loved this email, please click the 🤍 “like” 🤍 button at the bottom. As Alisha Ramos says, “it helps others discover my content and is a *free* way to show your appreciation.” You can also screenshot your favorite part of the letter, share it on Instagram, and tag me @yourstrulymia, so I can repost it! 😊

If you think a friend or family member might enjoy this letter or benefit from it, please forward or share it with them. Thank you again for reading, sweet friend. Ciao for now. 🤍

A photo of me leaving the theatre after watching Wicked last Sunday, absolutely destroyed

Hi there! My name is Mia Brabham Nolan and I’m a writer by day and by night, currently living in New York City. I write In Deep with Mia Brabham Nolan, the entertainment, music, and culture Substack newsletter. I’m on Instagram @yourstrulymia. Leave a comment with your thoughts or saying hi and I’ll always respond. Thanks for reading :)