Editor’s Letter: Have You Done a Self-Care Check-in?

It’s been three years since the pandemic era began. The dangers of COVID-19 may have waned, but its tentacles continue to stretch and quiver. As we demonstrate in this issue, real estate and employment in South Florida are still hanging on—even flourishing—but for many, the ground still feels unsteady.

“Social anxiety is definitely on the rise, as well as depression,” says psychologist Ann Monis, our cover subject (“Talking it Out”). “It used to be that people would come in with phobias and anxiety—that was a different conversation. Social anxiety is different. Do you know what it’s like if you’ve been sitting in your house for two years to get on the road? The streets are clogged, traffic is thick. People are out of sorts. I had a delivery driver flip out on me the other day, just start screaming out of the van. And then you add the social anxiety of coming back to work, having to interact with people, having to answer to someone.”

The strange mix of stresses and stimuli are unique to this time. At the same time new dazzling restaurants are opening by the week, some people have forgotten how to manage their time, manage strangers, manage relationships and social rituals. Self-care seems elusive.

So, this is a good time to check in with ourselves, with our needs, with our brain health. Dr. Monis says the demand for therapy—whether in-person or via telehealth—is so brisk that she doesn’t have enough clinicians to keep up.

This should come as little surprise to anyone having honest conversations with their friends and confidants—or even just observing them with compassion. People need to talk, including in their workplaces, about how to weather storms that may not be as visible as they once were, but are challenging and corrosive nonetheless.

And remember, getting care may just start with having a conversation with yourself.

You May Also Like
Catch & Cut Celebrates Grand Opening in Fort Lauderdale

Catch & Cut, a seafood and steak-focused fine-dining restaurant helmed by Managing Partner and Executive Chef André Bienvenu, is now open on Las Olas Boulevard! Catch & Cut is known for its exceptional

Read More
Enjoy Handcrafted Cocktails and Upscale Bites With a View at Rosa Sky Rooftop in Brickell

Experience a bustling environment with the perfect view of the city skyline.

Read More
Rosa Sky Rooftop
Sunness Supper Club Opens as Fort Lauderdale’s Newest Dining Sensation

It is envisioned as the perfect restaurant the neighborhood deserves.

Read More
Experience Penthouse Luxury With La Maison at Aire Residences

The penthouse is designed to maximize space and comfort, featuring larger than typical expansive balconies.

Read More
Other Posts
Maxim Hosts Big Game Watch Party on Sunday

Book an exclusive cabana or day bed.

Read More
Girl Scouts of Southeast Florida Launches 2025 Cookie Season

The funds help support outdoor adventures, service projects, and travel opportunities.

Read More
Annual Conine All-Star Golf Classic Benefits Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation

The event has raised more than $8.5 million for the Conine Clubhouse.

Read More