emotional lasagnas
5-4-3-2-1: emotional lasagnas, outfits, obsessions, soul soothers & a quote
I knew I wanted to be a teacher when I was in elementary school. My classroom was my bedroom with its 90’s purple carpet. I’d line up my stuffed animals in preparation for our “daily lesson.” The greatest gifts I was ever given were a metal extendable pointer (literally cried when it broke) and my chalkboard.
This year, I entered my 16th year of teaching history and government. I don’t take lightly the responsibility of teaching students how our government works, why history matters, and what their constitutional rights actually mean, especially when the world feels unstable. My role is always to inform, not to impose.
Take a minute and think about all the world-altering things that have happened over the past 16 years. After each turbulent moment, I feel that same pit in my stomach the night before school. How will I face my students after this? How can I take care of them? How can I take care of myself? How can I give them the space to talk about something I’m not ready to put into words?
Being a teacher and an empath is an absolute trip. I can sense heaviness in the room and when someone is carrying more than they’re saying. I don’t just notice when my students are struggling; I feel it alongside them. It doesn’t always make the work easier, but it makes it deeply human.
I do my best to brush off the worry, doubt, and anxiety. I get myself ready, drive to work, turn on the news, and prepare to hold space for 130 students. I remind myself how crucial our classroom is to remain a safe space during times of unrest. I know I can’t realistically be everything to everyone, but I will try my best. I show up as the steady leader they need—each of us carrying our own weight in different ways.
Even when the world feels heavy, I’ll be there at the door, smiling, listening, and teaching my heart out. Because aside from parenting my own children, the most important work I’ll ever do is right here: preparing OUR children to inherit and improve a world that desperately needs them.1
I’ve rewritten this ending at least 62 times. In moments when things are ongoing and there’s no clear finish, there’s no neat way to wrap up your feelings and tie them with a bow. So for now, I’ll stay hopeful, stay engaged, and stay supportive—for my students, my kids, and anyone carrying more than they’re showing.
I mean—what other choice do we have?
What’s Inside: Here’s our gameplan for today - a 5-4-3-2-1 countdown, you know the drill!
💓5 ways to care
👚4 recent outfits
😍3 things i’m loving
🧘🏻♀️2 soul soothers
🗨️1 quote
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This section was inspired by a quote from Jenny Rosenstrach’s post,
“So think about it: Who could use a lasagna in their life? It might even be you, plus a few of your people, who can be at your place by 7:00.”
I know a lot of people who could use 159 lasagnas in their life right now. But it reminded me that one of my self-declared love languages is caring for others. Here are a few ways to lend a hand to someone else when things feel unsettled.
1. Check-in, and keep checking in (if applicable)
Everyone is different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. I’ve always found that short, quick check-ins work best—low-stakes messages that don’t demand an immediate response or a long read.
I wrote about this in the context of checking in on friends after a miscarriage, and I think it applies here, too: check in, and then don’t ghost. Feeling forgotten or alone never feels good.
2. Lead with empathy, not answers
Taking time to reassure someone who’s scared or worried is so important. Often, feeling seen is more valuable than feeling helped. I catch myself trying to fix things for people when all they want me to say is, “Yeah, this is a lot…”
3. Ask what kind of support they want
Everyone is different. I know there have been times when I want to chat deeply about my struggles, other times I’d rather talk about The Real Housewives, and sometimes I just need to tell someone I need a few days to myself to recalibrate.
4. Offer grounding, ordinary things
If someone is up for it, offer a walk, a coffee date, or time to sit on the porch rocking chairs together in silence.
5. Offer an “emotional lasagna”
Create a playlist titled “Everything Is Not Awesome,”2 share a book you loved, or take inspiration from The Correspondent and write a handwritten note. Honestly, we’re all sleeping on the power of a handwritten note—it doesn’t have to be an essay; it can be short, honest, or even taped to a coffee left at the front door!
🍝And a bonus: send over an actual lasagna. Who doesn’t love a night off from cooking? Jenny’s post even opened a vault of her Mom’s famous lasagna recipe (which I aggressively screen-shotted, just in case it goes behind a paywall).
After all, one of the most humane things we can do is take care of one another. In my classroom and in my life, that’s the work I come back to every day.
LOOK 1
Using my Indyx data to call myself out for not wearing this rich brown vegan suede blazer enough. This week’s theme: keep everything simple, because I truly cannot handle more.
LOOK 2
It’s basically subarctic in New York and I truly was not built for this life. Loving this super-toasty sweater with my favorite barrel jeans.
LOOK 3
I snagged these cords on sale and I really think they were a missing piece in my wardrobe. They fit like a dream and add such a fun texture to every look.
LOOK 4
Lizzie McGuire/Traci Landy: certified outfit repeater. Wore these to my daughter’s basketball game and reached peak comfort. Note: The pants stretched with wear - for me this just improved the waist comfort. Added a red sock for a pop of dopamine.
I’m a huge Pureology gal and know nothing about the anatomy of hair follicles. What I do know is that I bought this shampoo for my family’s dry scalp, and I love how it’s making my hair feel the cleanest it’s ever been. Going three days without washing is my current flex.
Not an earth-shattering revelation, and many have said it, but there’s something about a thin gold watch that feels so pretty right now. I’ve been wanting to ditch my Apple Watch for a while, but the divorce isn’t finalized. As mentioned, it’s not even connected to my phone…I just like my step count, lol. Someone send this Valentines intel to the Four-Shirted-Husband™, please.
I loved how Libby McCurrach wrote about simplifying in 2026. I’ve been doing less makeup—primer, tinted moisturizer, mascara, brow brush, and a bit of bronzer. Weirdly, I like the imperfections on my face. Freckles, sun spots, even the blue vein my daughter frequently points out.
10% HAPPIER & MEDITATION FOR SKEPTICS
A TRIFECTA of goodness. I forgot how much I loved 10% Happier by Dan Harris until my conversation with Danielle sparked the memory. The book was actually recommended by my gastro as a way to help me chill the F out. It definitely changed the way I think about meditation and has helped me embrace the practice after being a skeptic. I’m holding strong with three meditating minutes a day. My bestie James Clear would definitely be proud of this atomic habit—starting small, staying consistent.3
If you finish the book and want more, check out the follow-up book by Harris, Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics.
THE PERFECT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE?
I have never been able to make the perfect chocolate chip cookie. SO good I felt confident sharing them with the queen of joy, Nina P. Due to my attentional issues, my cookies are often crispy & not cute. Tate from Tate’s cookies would even be horrified. I made these and my entire family were obsessed.
“Whenever I feel the anxious, queasy energy of uncertainty and notice myself overplanning, overthinking, and grasping for control, I place my hand on my heart and gently remind myself, ‘Uncertainty is where possibility lives. Uncertainty is where freedom lives. Uncertainty is where hope lives.’” - Nicola Jane Hobbs
🗨️Pull up a chair! How do you check in on someone when the world feels heavy—and how can we support both ourselves and each other?
As always, thank you for taking the time to read my work. I appreciate you beyond words.
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If you’re looking for tips on teaching government or constitutional rights, my DMs are open—I’ve got you.
This is play on the “Everything Is Awesome” song from the Lego Movie. You can definitely title your playlist something a bit more….uplifting. However, mine are all titled, “sad aux cord.”
The Four-Shirted-Husband™ says if I keep mentioning James Clear as my “bestie” I will one day be sued. And honestly, that would be so devastating yet so on brand for 2026 rn.
Crying in the club (the counseling office) while I eat my breakfast. Thank you for saying all of this, it’s felt so heavy to be in education lately and this is the reminder I needed this week.
Also! Have you heard of Lasagna Love? I’ve used it with families I work with and you can donate (or request) a lasagna as needed: https://lasagnalove.org
The world is better because you’re in it, Traci!