Monday

In today’s issue, we’ll take a look at:

• Why planning ahead feels so good

• How confidence gets easier over time

• Say goodbye to grocery lists

• Five U.S. towns that feel like Europe

• How to get help securing jobs

True or False?

Planning ahead can help create more free time later

Scroll to the bottom for the answer.

Your Brain Loves a Plan Just as Much as the Trip

If you've ever felt a little giddy just thinking about a trip you haven't taken yet, science is on your side. Research shows that anticipating a positive event can make us just as happy, sometimes even happier, than the event itself. One study found that people planning a vacation reported higher happiness levels before the trip than after it.

The reason comes down to how our brains are wired. When we think about something exciting in the future, the brain's reward center lights up and starts responding almost as if the experience is already happening. Researchers found that imagining positive future events activates the part of the brain tied to reward and decision-making, and that activity is linked to higher overall well-being.

The good news is you don't need a big trip to tap into this. Scheduling dinner with a friend, signing up for a workout class, or even planning a walk can deliver the same effect. Experts call it "productive planning," making plans that align with what you actually value, so you're building toward something real rather than just daydreaming. Think less escape, more intention.

Why Confidence Gets Easier Over Time

Confidence isn't something you either have or you don't. According to therapists and mindset coaches, it's a skill, and like any skill, it gets better the more you practice it. The good news is you don't have to overhaul your entire life to start building it.

Experts recommend starting small and working up gradually. If a big, intimidating goal is on your list, jumping straight to the hardest version of it can backfire and make you less likely to try again. Breaking it into smaller steps builds trust in yourself over time, and each small win signals to your brain that you're capable, which makes the next step feel less daunting.

The other piece is learning to move through discomfort rather than avoid it. Confidence doesn't come from waiting until everything feels easy. It comes from showing up anyway, breathing through the hard moments, and reminding yourself that not every attempt has to be perfect.

Progress, not perfection, is what actually builds the real thing.

Say Goodbye to Grocery Lists

Getting real, nourishing food on the table can be a daily struggle. And trying to make everyone happy? Pretty much impossible. But now you can, without spending your entire evening scrubbing dishes.

Try CookUnity, the first meal delivery led by world-class chefs that connects you with nutritious meals from Michelin-starred masters and Food Network stars.

Every week, you and your family can pick from over 400 meals, and 60 global cuisines and lifestyle diets, including Fitness Fuel, Protein Boost, Vegetarian, Mediterranean, Thai, and way more. They even have a kids’ menu featuring just-right portions packed with hidden veggies and classic flavors your tiny food critics will love.

Plus, these pro chefs source their own ingredients and handcraft your dishes locally so they’re delivered fresh, and ready to reheat in just minutes.

Weekly menus vary by market, but that’s the fun part of trying meals from the best culinary talent near you.

If you feel like this is the right fit for your family, take 50% off your first week. Enter your zip code, choose how many weekly meals you would like to receive, create an account, choose your dishes, and set your delivery address. You can skip, pause, or change the plan size anytime.

Get started with CookUnity here

Thank you to CookUnity for sponsoring The Canopy.

Five American Towns That Feel Like Europe

You don't need a passport to get a real taste of Europe. Scattered across the U.S. are towns built by immigrant communities that kept their languages, food, architecture, and traditions alive for generations. Here are five worth adding to your list.

1. Tarpon Springs, Florida: The highest concentration of Greek residents of any U.S. city, with sponge docks, Greek bakeries, and restaurants lining Dodecanese Boulevard just outside Tampa.

2. Holland, Michigan: Tulip fields, Dutch windmills, and a working 1761 windmill shipped from the Netherlands make this Lake Michigan town feel like the Dutch countryside.

3. Poulsbo, Washington: Known as "Little Norway on the Fjord," this Puget Sound town has celebrated its Scandinavian roots since the 1880s with Viking festivals, beer halls, and Norwegian-style architecture.

4. Healdsburg, California: Same latitude as Tuscany, similar climate, and wineries specializing in Italian grape varietals like Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon.

5. West, Texas: The Czech Heritage Capital of Texas, where kolaches are so beloved the state legislature made them official, and bakeries run around the clock.

Thank you to Podium for sponsoring The Canopy.

The Pause:

Before you go, take a small pause from your day with this tip brought to you by The Canopy editors.

30 Second Reset: Relax your shoulders and let them drop away from your ears.

Wellness Round-Up

• 👱‍♀️ Why “ghost blonde” is summer’s coolest hair color trend

• 🥘 Get meals from world-class chefs

• 🎉 Summer party ideas everyone will want an invite to

• ✨ The beauty ingredient people are using for a fuller look

Reflections:

🌎 True or False: True. Preparation often reduces last-minute stress and inefficiency.

🌅 Sunset Of The Day: The sun can provide the most beautiful photography. That's why we're eager to see your favorite sunrise or sunset photos. Reply to this email with your best sun-based pictures for a chance to be featured!