Word of the Week: Kindle

Kindle (verb): To awaken something that was once quiet. To stir a dormant hope. To spark the smallest flame in a dark space.

We're getting so many messages from women in our community who are running low.

On sleep.

On patience.

On optimism.

The world is exhausting, and the headlines feel like wave after wave. Even the most resilient among us are feeling frayed.

So this week, we ask you to consider the word "kindle."

It's an invitation to gently coax life back into something that matters to you.

What Can You Kindle This Week?

• A connection you’ve been meaning to nurture

• A creative project that’s been collecting dust

• A daily ritual that helps you feel human again

• A belief in your ability to heal, grow, and thrive—even now

You don’t need a roaring fire. Just a spark. A flicker. A small, sacred ember that reminds you: you’re still here.

Strategies to Kindle When You’re Weary:

1. Pick one thing to care about. Not everything. Just one thing that matters to you today. That’s enough.

2. Create a 2-minute ritual. Light a candle. Put your hand on your heart. Step outside barefoot. It doesn’t have to be big to be real.

3. Say “yes” to the tiny thing. Not the plan. Not the project. Just the first step.

4. Let joy feel rebellious. A soft playlist. A dumb joke. A hot shower with eucalyptus oil. Let joy be the protest.

Positive Self-Talk for the Weary

I don’t need to feel on fire to spark something new.

Rest is not the absence of progress—it’s part of it.

Small is not weak. Small is sustainable.

I am allowed to rekindle hope at my own pace.

Whether you’re lighting a metaphorical match or just holding the idea of warmth in your hands, kindle something this week.

Remember, the smallest spark doesn’t have to shout. It just has to catch, and that’s how momentum begins.

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About the Author:

Elizabeth Rago

Creative Strategist • Community Architect • Women’s Health Advocate

Elizabeth is a word-loving, community-building powerhouse with a gift for turning complex ideas into connection-worthy content.

As a Senior-Level Marketing and Content Strategist, she’s spent the past two decades blending storytelling with strategy—crafting compelling messaging for mental health organizations, women’s lifestyle brands, and yes, even the high-stakes world of RFPs (because a well-structured sentence can absolutely win business).

By day, she shapes narratives that drive results. By night, she’s managing dinner, debate club (aka parenting teens), and the emotional logistics of modern womanhood—with a mug of Earl Grey and a sense of humor that’s seen some things. After weathering a difficult season in her own life, Elizabeth realized how lonely it can feel for women navigating hard things, especially when they’re expected to do it quietly.

That experience led her to create MDW: a resource-rich, no-nonsense space where women can find mental health support, practical tools, lifestyle convos, plant pics, and real talk that doesn't shy away from the messy parts.

Whether she's interviewing therapists, spotlighting women-owned businesses, or coming through Pinterest for the next MDW Mini Magazine, Elizabeth leads with equal parts strategy and soul. She never underestimates the therapeutic power of a well-placed meme, and building a strong community is an act of resistance.