Welcome to this week’s edition of the Reflecting On newsletter! As the holiday season fast approaches, it’s the perfect time to celebrate and support Black-owned businesses. Dive into our curated selection of insightful reads and stirring discussions, highlighting everything from must-shop brands to thought-provoking commentary on today’s cultural and wellness landscapes.

Read:

1. I Shop For a Living — Here Are the Black-Owned Brands I’m Gifting This Holiday by Popsugar. Discover Jessica Andrews’ top picks for gifting this holiday season and why she chooses these vibrant, Black-owned brands. Read here.
2. A Luxury Giant, a Reclusive Heir and the Case of the Missing $13 Billion by The Wall Street Journal. Dive into the mysterious world of luxury, exploring a high-stakes drama involving an Hermes heir. Read here.
3. The Fearmongering in the Wellness Industry Has Gone Too Far by The Everygirl. A critical look at how fear is used to drive wellness trends and what that means for consumers. Read here.
4. Here’s The Thing My Younger Self Never Would Have Dreamed I’d Do by Sisters From AARP. Delve into personal stories of unexpected life journeys and the surprises they bring. Read here.
5. It’s Time to Own Being Grown and Sexy by Sisters From AARP. Embrace the confidence that comes with age in this empowering reflection on maturity and style. Read here.
6. So THAT’S Why You Need Noise To Fall Asleep by HuffPost. Explore the science behind why some people need background noise to drift off to sleep. Read here.
7. How Weaponized Incompetence Could Be Hurting Your Relationship by Popsugar. Uncover how this behavior pattern can undermine relationships and ways to address it. Read here.

Listen: Quincy Jones’s Legacy in 14 Essential Songs by The New York Times. Celebrate the musical genius of Quincy Jones through his most iconic songs. Listen here.

Closing: This week’s lineup invites us to look deeper into the narratives that shape our perceptions and daily choices. From challenging the norms of the wellness industry to celebrating Black excellence in various fields, each article offers a unique perspective designed to enrich, educate, and inspire. As always, thank you for taking this journey with us. Stay curious, stay informed, and let’s continue to support and uplift each other.