confidence is a neural pattern

Welcome to Hue's Cues. Your weekly dose of inspiration and insights for your brain, mind, body, and soul.

Some housekeeping.

WOW! Can you believe it’s December? As Rick Rubin would say, strike while inspiration is hot (maybe not his exact words, but you get the vibe).

That’s what today’s edition is—Welcome to Hue’s Cues!

This month’s regular programming, as we bid farewell to 2025—what I want to leave you with is a series of things you can tuck into this holiday season.

I feel it’s the only time in the year where most of the world accepts slowing down.

Hue’s Letters will be on a hiatus (tbd), as we prepare for an annual reset. What are you most excited about?

Also, what’s been a highlight(s) this year? Honestly, I am really proud of myself for continuing this mysterious path into the unknown that I seem to be completely in the spell of.

I DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M DOING BUT I KEEP CREATING ANYWAYS.

Thanks for letting me borrow some of that attention.

“SHE” Tales. Nov 2025.

I hope we’ll end the year anchored in one truth: there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits all solution for all eight billion of us.

I don’t care how many times you’re trying to tell me you know the one secret that works for every height, race, geography, history, life experience… health and well-being is personal, period.

This is why I continue to walk along side you as we untangle the confusion together. I’m sorry I am not an all-knowing guru, I am the opposite. I am so enthusiastic about figuring it all out, I finally leaned in to also accept that I will always be a work in progress instead.

There’s so much information out there, we’ve just have to keep trying—and the revelations are every time something works, the reward loop grows stronger.

What does health feel like for you?

These editions are a shared space for experimentation and contemplation, sharing insights as they come, knowing they’re simply a mirror to the moment I am in, not a prescription for every occasion.

Because I am incomplete, imperfect, and 100% human— evolutions are our shared medium.

“Confidence isn’t a personality trait, it’s a neural pattern.” (Dr Tara Swart).

To become confident, train your brain by shifting your self beliefs to a loop of self-confidence instead.

This is why writing down positive affirmations by hand is a routine I care about. When I miss my writing time, which sometimes happens, I also like to repeat affirmations, like mantras on a loop, when I meditate: “I am worthy. I am whole. I am good. I am kind. I am abundant. I am generous.” These affirmations will fluctuate, but if all else fails, I simply repeat three uplifting appreciations in my head.

What your mind frequents most is what your brain will return to most. The more attention I give to something, the more this neural pattern will develop in my brain.

Even if self-doubt and imposter syndrome clouds some days, I’ve experienced an incredible, though slow yet steady transformation. Self confidence doesn’t come naturally but I am so thankful I am light years away from where I used to be.

Because self confidence starts with self worth and for some reason it’s common for women to be without it—myself included, but then I made a career out of teaching sweaty classes to a room full of people who choose to lock themselves inside with me for an hour with very loud music. 😉

What’s your confidence like?

Nourish your mind with knowledge that uplifts you. Find the thing that’s interesting— whatever that means for you, and only you.

There’s a reason why there’s such a thing as personal preference. Like your preference for vanilla or chocolate chip dough ice cream, you and I are as unique as snowflakes.

By leaning into your curiosities you will also amplify nourishment throughout learning. Did you know doing the things you enjoy improves your ability for learning and productivity dramatically? Scroll all the way down to see what’s been inspiring me this week! Did someone inspire you this week?

An extra kilometer on your weekly run? A half hour walk uphill? An ice cold bath or shower?

If every experience rewires your brain, then why not stimulate your bodily sensations too? I’ve joined the cult—saunas and ice baths. I admit, I am also a snob about the feeling of a stone sauna.

20 minute in the sauna, followed with a 30s-3 minute icy dip in 10/11°C water. It’s a deeply relaxing weekly ritual that’s conveniently great for the heart, muscles, and joints too. When was the last time you surprised your body?

When was the last time you allowed yourself the time to just be? Perhaps while sitting on a park bench or a quiet cosy corner at home? Lately my ‘do nothing’ time happens in the sauna. I feel you purists judging—sitting down to endure the heat while furiously sweating can be considered as ‘doing nothing.’

Why not maximize the time by giving my mind ample time to wander while the blood is flowing. Closing my eyes, focusing on my breath helps to distract me from the heat too.

So consider gifting your soul some r&r— rest and recover—by doing absolutely nothing, for 3-5 minutes. No phones, no music, no movement. Ok, the sauna spot I go to does play music, which I try to tune out. 😝

When was the last time you let yourself do absolutely nothing?

I’ve been doing longer runs at a slower pace for a few weeks, to improve my endurance (for Vo2 max/Zone II training), but I’ve been missing the perfect playlist, so out of frustration I made one.

If you trust my curation, listen in order without the shuffle. It’ll keep you company while you keep that heart rate steady. Tell me know what you think!

NEW FAVORITE OBSESSION RIGHT NOW! I’ve only recently discovered Wallpaper* magazine’s Youtube channel (where have I been, I know!)—and friends, I am in love. Design, art, and all the creativity my heart desires. The video below is what kicked-off my newfound love. Enjoy😉!

I am on a mission to make home cooking accessible. As a self-taught home cook, I admit I am average in the kitchen.

But because I know how important the ingredients we feed ourselves is, as one of (if not the most) powerful ways we can transform our health, I’ve done what I can to stay nimble for my tastebuds sake.

Here’s a weekly dish, that hardly feels like cooking, especially if you own an air fryer (which is worth every dollar by the way).

SUCCULENT SESAME CHICKEN DINNER