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Beany Brain #75: Hey There, Good Lookin'!

Author

Abigail Munday
January 06, 2026

Beany Brain: loving our jumping-bean brains!

Welcome to this issue of the Beany Brain! I hope today’s newsletter will bounce us up as we contemplate the upsides and challenges of being neurodivergent, a little beauty, some creativity, and just general yeehawesomeness.

Table of Contents

Photo by Abigail Munday

Rest During the Holidays

The official holidays might be almost over, but here’s an article that can help us with some ideas for resting anytime we need a break.

Rest is essential during the holidays, but it may mean getting active, not crashing on the couch

Unwinding can be hard during the holidays for many reasons. Building in time to recharge through active leisure can help.

theconversation.com/rest-is-essential-during-the-holidays-but-it-may-mean-getting-active-not-crashing-on-the-couch-270396

I remember being at both sets of grandparents’ houses when I was a kid, and if I just sat and watched TV there, I felt really tired. But if we got outside for a walk, suddenly I felt better.

Here’s something from the article that grabbed my attention:

Effective rest comes in many forms, from going outdoors for a walk to socializing, listening to music or engaging in creative hobbies. These activities may feel like distractions, but they serve important mental health functions.

They suggest planning leisure activities that re-energize you. If I have something on my to-do list or on my Google calendar, I’m more likely to do it.

That’s why I’m adding these things to my already-busy Google calendar for this week:

  1. Paint two seashells with my acrylic paints.

  2. Write one poem.

  3. Go to the pool.

What would be on your list that’s doable for you specifically?

As an ND (neurodivergent) person and with my personality, it’s usually not going to give me a boost if I go to a huge crowded loud party, but reading a book at the park in the sunshine? Definitely. That involves walking to get there and back, and the movement can be part of the rest.

The rest is up to us.

Ha Ha Haiku

A funny haiku for you every week in every newsletter, whether it’s one of my own or one I curate for you. HA. Ha. Haiku.

Photo by Abigail Munday

Hey There, Good Lookin’!

As my YouTube lady says every morning when I wake up and work out, “Hey there, good lookin’!” It’s her trademark greeting, and I’ve come to expect it and look forward to it and like it.

So that’s what I said to 2026 when it came galloping in a few days ago (it’s the year of the horse, after all).

As I said last week, though: New year, same me.

I’m going to continue to enjoy exercising every day—I’m not going to lie, it’s hard, but I have to admit that I feel better afterward. (Who is this person writing?)

Overall, as the world feels harsher, I’m planning on being softer, gentler, and more graceful to myself this year. How about you? What’s your plan? (Just to be clear, you don’t have to have one right this second.)

I’ll leave you with some new-year memes for your delectation:

source unknown

(Or even 2026)

The New Yorker

Photo by Abigail Munday

Yeehawesome!

Yeehawesome! is a happy-brain roundup in each issue of Beany Brain. What’s happening that’s good in brain land? What’s bringing me joy?

  1. Our first time making mince pies, and we didn’t do too badly! They were deeeeeeliciously yeehawesome.

  2. This inclusive fashion show in Mexico City.

  3. Zimbabwe’s only female heart surgeon on medicine, misogyny and making a difference: “Performing a heart surgery is inspiring because to perform heart surgery, you have to stop the heart. The machines take over. After surgery, the heart starts to beat again. That is the moment you realise the power of God.”

Quote of the Week

I realized that stories order a disordered life.

- Tsitsi Dangarembga in her book of essays, Black and Female

Beany Brownie Points and Extra Bonus Funniness

source unknown

Wonderful Wednesday

Wonderful Wednesday was a day once a year in college when they would suddenly and surprisingly call off all classes and we’d play all day. The cafeteria provided special fun food and we’d do stuff outside like slip ‘n slides and jello wrestling in sumo suits. This segment of Beany Brain is dedicated to that memory of silliness and fun—no words, just a photo from the week that I’ve taken or found that reminds me to let the joy in. Since Beany Brain is published on Wednesday every week (at least, Wednesday in Japan), I hope you enjoy this Wonderful Wednesday.

100% apple juice; photo by Abigail Munday

Today’s Beany-full Summary:

  • Rest sometimes needs to involve movement.

  • Welcoming the new year with memes.

  • Go forth in Beany joy. What will help you feel yeehawesome this week?

Thank you for reading this installment of Beany Brain! You’re very welcome to hop on by any old time.

If you’re enjoying Beany Brain, please share with a friend or seventeen at www.beanybrain.com. Cheers big time!