Renée Fishman

If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them. — Henry David Thoreau, Walden Sunday’s new moon in Capricorn — the first new moon of 2026 — invites you formulate a practical plan and line up the support and structures you need to build foundations under your castles. Planning, Persistence, and Perseverance At this new moon, the Sun and Moon align at the end of Capricorn, a sign that’s all about planning,...

In late August 2013, I resolved to break my habit of hitting the snooze button each morning. That resolve led to a new ritual I called “Fitness First:” the goal was to get out of bed when the alarm went off, get out the door as soon as possible, and head to a workout. No stopping at Go, no checking email or social media, no “2-minute tasks.” Each day, I logged the time I got up and the time I left my apartment. This might have seemed like overkill, but it turned out to play an important role...

If you want to create something bold and noteworthy, something that will naturally command attention, you’re going to need a vision for it; a dream of what’s possible. Sometimes that dream might even feel unrealistic. Far-fetched. Delusional. If you are committed to this vision, if you have the right structure and support, if you are dedicated, if you show up consistently over time, and if you trust your inner compass, you can create things that might have once been unimaginable or thought to...

Sometimes, Reader, it seems like everything comes crashing down at once, like you're swimming upstream with a weight on your back. At least that's what it feels like for me sometimes. Maybe you can relate. In the interest of transparency, here's the deal. Last week I had a newsletter lined up and ready to send, but I couldn't get it out before a health issue erupted. The bulk of the email was tied to a time-sensitive event, so I had to completely scratch it and regroup. As for the health...

You must promise me, that when you step into the light, you will be worthy of the attention you command. — Lady Danbury to young Simon (future Duke of Hastings) on Bridgerton, Season 1 Ep. 2 This scene from Bridgerton is so on point for today's Full Moon in Leo, Reader. Leo is about visibility and what it requires: Being bold, courageous, and confident. Owning your worth. Commanding the attention you deserve. Leo is also the sign of royalty. And Lady Danbury is a total Queen (even if she's...

If you’ve been feeling stagnant or stuck in these first couple of weeks of 2025, you’re not alone — it's in the energy of the moment. This week offers some help in illuminating the issues and dynamics that might be keeping you from moving forward with your visions and goals. The week started with the Full Moon in Cancer, which peaked on Monday. At a full moon, the Moon is directly opposite the Sun, which allows it to be fully illuminated by the Sun’s rays. A full moon is a peak experience;...

What happens when your ambition bumps up against the reality of your limited resources—time, money, attention, focus, or cognitive bandwidth—or external constraints? For the past four weeks, I’ve been navigating life without one of my ADHD medications, Reader. The situation has thrown my normal energy rhythms into disarray, to say nothing of my focus, attention, and cognitive function. It’s put a spotlight on a familiar inner conflict: My optimistic (albeit often unrealistic) agenda is...

I’m now in my fourth week without one of my ADHD meds, Reader. The situation has thrown my normal rhythms and energy into disarray, to say nothing of my focus, attention, and cognitive function. Side note: This newsletter is not as coherent as I’d like it to be, but, as my friend Katie Lance always reminds me: done is better than perfect. I’m giving myself some grace, and I hope you’ll extend me some as well. Lately I’ve been navigating the conflicting reality of my inner state: My optimistic...

I’m a big advocate of what I call “Practical Rituals,” Reader. They help me stay grounded and keep me organized. One of my standard evening rituals is to plug in my iPad across the room from my bed and open the alarm clock app I use. The app has my wake-up times for every day of the week pre-set. This sets me up for my morning rituals. Pro Tip 1: Having the alarm across the room forces me out of bed to turn it off. This week on, Monday morning, the alarm didn’t go off. Although the iPad was...