This post is part of our Letters from Lisa series. Letters from Lisa are published every Friday for Blue Mala Members. Subscribers to the free newsletter receive it once a month.

From Lisa Jakub, CEO
March 18, 2022

Hi Friends,

90s con was, in a word: rad.

There were unexpected friendships with Will Friedle, Scott Wolf, Christy Carlson Romano, and Darius McCrary - the latter of whom will be forever known as my boo.

There were moments of being happily reunited with Matt Lawrence, Mara Wilson, and Omri Katz - even though it took Omri a minute (a humiliatingly long minute) to remember who I was. Umm, hi we were in Matinee together. I know I was only 13, so it was a while ago but umm. Hi? Remember me, please?

There was the moment I chickened out of getting slimed because honestly, it didn’t look like proper slime - it looked like green water that was going to give me a UTI.

There was the moment I talked to Christopher Lloyd in the lunch line while pouring myself a cup of tea and managed to say “I’m Lisa, it’s nice to meet you” before I drew a complete blank and had to scurry away.

I met fantastic people, heard about their lives, and how the movies I had been a part of had helped them through tough times.

I sat on a stage in front of a bajillion people, talking about anxiety and how Robin Williams’ honesty eventually guided me to the work I now do with Blue Mala.

It was kind of overwhelming for an introvert, as I wrote about this week. But it was incredible to hang out with a bunch of people who had been kid actors, too. I was more touched by that shared experience than I expected. It wasn’t just a silly convention about neon slap bracelets and Doc Martens. It was about being with other people who understand how strange it was to be asked at age 7 if you’re cool with working overtime.

Never underestimate the power of connection and feeling understood.

Also, don’t ever underestimate how cute Scott Wolf still is.

Here’s what else happened this week:

What I listened to

I’m switching over to Apple Music from Spotify and I don’t quite understand how to use it yet. But this 90s Alternative Essentials Playlist was on repeat in my hotel room in CT this weekend. Such beautiful angsty goodness was very helpful in calming my nerves.

What I read

When I got home from my people-packed weekend, I took a Covid test. As I stood over the test, watching the little window and chanting please be negative, please be negative, it was like deja vu all over again. Turns out I’m not the only one. Here’s an article I enjoyed about the strange connection between covid tests and pregnancy tests: This Is All So Familiar. (Oh, and yay my covid test was negative!)

What I watched

I can’t stop with this. Sound on.

What else I watched

King Richard. I loved this movie. I think that manifesting is bullshit. And while this movie didn’t change my perspective on that, it did show the good that can come from believing in yourself and your abilities. Might mess around and try that whole confidence thing one of these days.

What I’m looking forward to

Glowy happiness from the last time I was at Kripalu

I can’t wait to get back to Kripalu for my Anxiety Management Weekend Workshop in Lenox, MA on Apr 15 - 17. It’s going to be a small group (introvert-friendly!) and I love that. If you want to join us, you don’t need any experience with yoga or with writing. We’re just going to hang out, talk anxiety management, and find some ways to create some peace in this incredibly difficult world. Please respond to this email if you have any questions.

Thank you for reading, friends. And if I saw you at 90s Con last weekend, thank you for being there. It’s always a joy to connect.

Peace,

~Lisa
CEO, 💙📿

Smells Like Teen Spirit