My mood knowing Positive DONUT is about to hit your inbox and brighten your day:

This week’s newsletter is structured a little differently than usual, with a quick blast of positive news stories followed by some extra mindfulness practices at the end.

If you didn’t know, May is International Mental Health Awareness Month. Here’s your reminder to take a few extra minutes to take care of yourself❤️.

Have a fantastic week!

—Kailyn

Ready, Set, Go: Today's newsletter takes ~2.66 minutes to read (708 words).

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I am deserving of success, happiness, and peace

🦆🦆🦆 Maybe they can let the chickens know: Southbound drivers on Oregon’s Interstate 205 were halted earlier this month when a state trooper stopped traffic to help a family of ducks cross the road.

🎉 A pawsitive life celebration: When a family tragically lost their beloved dog, Turtle, the kids decided to turn their grief into a celebration. They invited a whole gaggle of neighborhood dogs over to their house for a giant playdate in Turtle’s honor ($).

👯‍♀️ An unlikely group of friends: 12 years ago, a Dutch nursing home started offering students the opportunity to live there rent free in exchange for spending time with their senior residents. The community that blossomed from the deal has helped the seniors and students alike.

🐾 Valerie is home!! A tiny dachshund spent 540 days alone on Kangaroo Island in South Australia—and became an internet sensation while doing so. Read about her story and the mission to rescue her over the last year and a half.

🌻 Environmental activist Ellen Miles has become an advocate for “guerrilla gardening," planting flowers around urban areas in London to bring nature closer to city residents.

For AAPI Heritage Month, Autio highlights vibrant stories of Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Explore tales of resilience, cultural richness, and diverse contributions that shaped the landscapes you're passing through.

• Autio features 23,000+ location-based stories—including AAPI histories—often overlooked in traditional guides
• Professionally narrated content, including voices like co-founder Kevin Costner and more

👆 Meet Kathleen and Roy Lawrence, two of Britain’s oldest-surviving World War II veterans, who both served in the RAF from 1942 to 1945. The lovebirds—101 and 100, respectively—met after the war ended and were married in 1951. They’re believed to be one of Britain’s oldest living couples.

Photo op: The duo was among dozens of veterans who joined a tea party marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day.

I've had a bit of a tiring week (and it's only Tuesday). When things get overwhelming and I feel like I can't catch a break, slowing down to take a few deep breaths always recenters me.

Whether you only have five minutes or half an hour, the meditations below will help you slow down a bit and come back to yourself. Do them whenever you feel like you could use a breather.

Prioritize yourself for a few minutes and enjoy every second. I know I did😌.

Take your pick:

• 5 Minute Meditation You Can Do Anywhere
• 30 Minute Meditation to Ground Yourself

While journaling is very different than writing for a living, I'm still a major fan of getting my thoughts on paper. The simple act of casual journaling can have some powerful effects on both our minds and bodies. Whether you're a daily journaler or are brand new to the idea, grab a pen and paper (or the Notes app) and reflect on some of the prompts below:

1. What are you particularly grateful for lately? How can you invite more of these things into your life?
2. What have you been struggling with lately? How can you continue to work through that and/or ask for support?
3. Describe your perfect day.
4. What are some of your goals as we move into the spring and summer seasons?
5. Hype yourself up! What are your favorite qualties about yourself?

Personal care waste harms the planet. Wild is bringing it back to life, one refill at a time. They ditched single-use plastic and created something better: luxury body care that's refillable, effective, and 94% powered by nature.

From deodorant to body wash, lip balm to hand wash—Wild has reimagined your entire routine without the plastic guilt. 40,000+ five-star reviews agree.

Get ready, it's time to dance🤩. 

This super fun 15-minute dance party workout by MadFit is jam-packed full of hits from the early 2000s, and guaranteed to bring back middle-school dance memories... for better or worse.

ANYWAYS: However you slice it, dancing + iconic music = a great time. Get those endorphins flowing and get ready to feel amazing.

Welcome to What's Your Win, the section of the newsletter where we celebrate all of the good news happening right here within our DONUT community. Check out the submissions we received this week!

👏 Karyl M. from New Jersey is celebrating her hard-working student…

• “I have been an educator for over 20 years and we don't always see the fruits of our labor, so-to-speak. It's not until students have left our grade and move on that they realize the impact we have had on their successes. Sometimes we are fortunate enough to hear from them, many years later, and it is reassuring that you have contributed to that student's success. It's awesome. Recently, though, I started a new position and in this role, I work with struggling readers in middle school. Last month, a student of mine recognized a vocabulary word which he learned in my class and told me about it. He was so excited to share that with his peers. To some, this celebration is minuscule, but to a child who has been in the US for two years, learning new vocabulary is a tremendous feat. I couldn't be more proud of this student and he is the reason I celebrate HIS win today!”

✈️ One anonymous subscriber from West Des Moines, Iowa, successfully stepped out of her comfort zone…

• “I just returned from my very first solo trip abroad! It was part of a tour but I didn't know anyone else going and I was very nervous! I met 2 sisters on the very first day who I hit it off with instantly! I can tell we're going to remain friends and I even hope to travel with them again.”

❤️ Stacey N. from Fort Collins, Colorado, is putting herself first…

• "I took a week off from work! I own my business, and other than my inbox exploding, nothing bad happened!"

1. I have keys but no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter but can’t go outside. What am I?
2. I can bring tears to your eyes, resurrect the dead, make you smile, and reverse time. I form in an instant but last a lifetime. What am I?
3. Forward I am heavy, but backward I’m not. What am I?

Share your own wins...If you take a moment to slow down and recognize the good things in your life, you'll notice there really is always something to be thankful for 🥰.

If you feel compelled to share, let us know what you're feeling especially grateful for or proud of right here. Nothing is too small or insignificant to celebrate, and we promise to be your biggest hype-people😎! 

Submit your or a loved one's wins here for a chance to be featured in next week's newsletter.

1. A keyboard/computer ⌨️
2. A memory 💭
3. A ton 🪨