After two years of internal negotiations, Sara Rosenberg announced the grand opening of Better Day Boxed on October 19, her birthday. The mental health-driven Glensider thinks it was worth the wait.
“The response has been really amazing. I started this business because I saw the need for it. I do a lot of volunteer work and I run a peer support group, so I’m familiar with that space,” she said.
Sara grew up in a small town where openly discussing mental health issues was something of a taboo, and her goals and hopes are a reflection of her personal journey. Much like mental health, Better Day Boxed does not exist in a physical sense. The all-online business’ tagline, “Almost as good as therapy,” is to be taken at face value.
“There’s so much awareness around mental health, but there’s not much to do with that awareness. This is an opportunity for people to take the initiative to reach out to someone who’s maybe not doing so well, and maybe open up a conversation,” Sara said. “This business is about taking action.”
For Sara, a lighter touch can sometimes facilitate healing, hence the site’s colorful, upbeat vibes. Each care package is customizable, and messengers have the option to use spicier language if they so choose. “I wanted the site to be fun and informative and unintimidating. Using a little bit of humor can also go a long way to helping people step out of themselves and break the cycle a little bit,” she said.
Of equal significance is the site’s Resources page which contains customer care links ranging from Crisis Text Line to the National Alliance on Mental Illness to healing playlists.
Better Day Boxed’s civic side does its best to source from other local businesses, one hand washing another. Though things are currently virtual, a Better Day Boxed storefront is lingering in Sara’s imagination. She welcomes similar ideas from around-town entities.
“I’d love to be in a physical space at some point, and I’m always open to people who have a product that may be a match for us. I’m open to collaboration,” Sara said. “If any organizations would like to be a part of what I’m trying to do, I’m very open to that as well.”
For now, Sara hopes that Better Day Boxed will serve a worthwhile purpose for those who need it most.
“It’s difficult to reach out when you’re in that headspace. If you’re bipolar or schizophrenic or depressed, it’s nice to know that someone sees you. Sometimes it’s life-saving,” she said. “When you’re in that dark hole, you don’t want to reach out or you just can’t because you can’t maintain the basics of life. Feeling seen makes it a little bit easier to go through what you’re going through and not feel as though you’re alone with it.”
For more on Sara’s creation, you can visit Better Day Boxed’s website and Facebook page.
