Is anyone else in a mood that they just can’t shake? I don’t know if it’s the planets, entering the third year of pandemic life (especially with confusing public health guidance and the disappointing pediatric vaccine news), jumping straight into meetings and gatherings after 6 weeks of hunkering down, or a combination of all of these… I’m feeling weird and not that great and I can’t seem to shake it off. These weekly musings have become a therapy of sorts. I begin them with the intention to share new tips or tactics on how to juggle all the things, but the words that flow from my fingers onto the keys are centered on the conflicting emotions I’m feeling and how I’ve made it through another shortest, longest week. Every Sunday, I feel both excited for a brand new week and overwhelmed by a to-do list where new tasks simply replace the completed ones and I never can winnow down. I do my best to stay present and focused on my time with my kids, but find myself counting down the hours until I can drop them off at school as I get pummeled by pillows or treated as a trampoline until I succumb and put on Encanto for the gazillionth time. And this specific Sunday, I’m eagerly looking forward to hopping on a plane every week for the next four weeks and feeling guilty and nervous about it in equal measure. I both need this space, and feel bad for taking it, if it makes sense. I don’t think there’s a way out of feeling so many conflicting emotions, but finding a path through. I’m taking many more meditation breaks (thank you, Headspace, for your children's meditations). I only got in a single workout last week and think that has a lot to do with my mood (I’m easing back in with daily yoga and long walks this week). After my quick trip to Dallas, I’m hunkering down at home for the rest of the week with zero plans (with the rare exception of a Zoom event with my friend Aparna for her upcoming book). And while I savored a few glasses of wine this week, I’m going to opt for Topo Chico and a squeeze of Equilibria’s drink drops while I’m traveling, and my new favorite drink (1 serving of De Soi’s Golden Hour, a splash of Lyre’s Italian Orange, a squeeze of lemon over ice) while at home. I’m not looking to escape any of these feelings I’m feeling, but to process them without completely depleting myself, which is how I’m feeling right now. And if I can find time to finish reading ACOTAR, I’ll consider the week a resounding success. I’m putting this out there in the hopes it is as successful as manifesting my husband was. How I Travel For Business During A Global Pandemic (sponsored by Barriére) I know a thing or two about business travel (it was the foundation of my old blog and my very first book). And after my book tour last fall, I know a thing or two about business travel during a pandemic, and these tips will be coming in handy as I prepare for a marathon few months of near-weekly trips. I’m staying with family and friends when I can, and declining housekeeping service when I’m staying in hotels (but bringing cash to leave a tip in my room when I leave - please do this!). I’m opting for in-room workouts and outdoor walks for my exercise on the road. I bring enough rapid tests to test daily. I try to eat outdoors as much as I can, or will order room service or takeout and eat where I’m staying. And I never leave my home without Barriére - specifically their KN95 masks, hand sanitizer, and lotion. Barriére’s masks are equally protective as they are comfortable. Their KN95 masks offer greater than 95% PFE (particle filtration efficiency) and 98% BFE (bacterial filtration efficiency), giving me peace of mind when I’m sitting on long flights or making my way through crowded airports. The material of Barriére’s masks is incredibly soft and I wear these for day-long stretches without any issues. I confess that I wiped down my seat area (arm rests, window, tray table, seat belt) long before COVID, and continue to do so with the offered wipe and Barriére’s B Wise sanitize spray. I reapply Bodyguard on my hands throughout the flight to protect and rehydrate them - the ultimate double duty product in pandemic times. I was an early Barriére customer, and could not be more thrilled to be partnering with them. Their masks and personal care products have kept our family safe for the past 2 years, and have kept me especially safe when work travel picked up again. If you need to restock your own PPE or want to try out their masks, use code HITHA20 for 20% off your order. Thank you for supporting the brands that I partner with, and have brought value to my own life. I hope they do the same for you and yours. What I Read This Week
Top #5SmartReads of the Week
The rest of the week’s reads (and conversations!) are below: Your Questions, Answered Why has this week lasted 7 years? How to know when you’re ready for kids? Can you recommend any good resume writers? Trying to move from consulting to FAANG. Can you please share the resource for teachers looking to transition to another career? Equilibria: my doc questions efficacy and knowing true ingredients. Your dad’s thoughts? I would never claim EQ to be pharmaceutical product, but it has been a supplement that has helped me sleep better, has noticeable balanced my mood, and their topical products have improved my skin or reduced aches. Dreaming of warmer days and a beach vacation… what are your bathing suit recommendations? Link to your nightgown from your Encanto reel? Where’s your sweatshirt from the needlepointing reel? It’s amazing how many books you read! How do you read multiple books at once? Reading is my unicorn space a la Eve Rodsky and making tie for it helps me do everything else better. I loved her latest book Find Your Unicorn Space. Have a wonderful and safe week, my friend. And may it be a less funky one than this past one. xo,
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issue #122 - the one in a funk
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