If you love #5SmartReads, would you be open to sharing them? You’ll get perks if you do! Set up your unique share link below and share #5SmartReads with anyone you think would enjoy them! A quick housekeeping note - there will be no #5SmartReads this week due to some internal planning and an extraordinarily busy week. Thank you for understanding, and have a wonderful week! I’ll spare you the details of the past two weeks - they’ve been the usual blur of work, kids, and another round of potty training (which has mercifully gone much better than the first attempt). I’ll leave you with some things I’ve been loving right now:
What Everyone Read
Adrianne
Abigail
Madison
Top #5SmartReads Of The Week:
The rest of the week’s reads + last week’s (and conversations!) are below: Monday September 19, 2022 Monday September 26, 2022 Your Questions, Answered Tips for navigating maternity leave when managing a large org? 1st time pregnant and I’m nervous! Taking leave with Rhaki showed me what I could take off my plate because a team member did it better and showed an interest in continuing those responsibilities, and what only I can do. I found it to be really transformative even for our small company that made us stronger than before I left for leave. I would propose a phase-in schedule (something I have here at #5SmartReads) because it’s hard to be fully back to work. You got this. Your kid is lucky to have you as their mama, and your company is lucky to have yo as a leader. I’m rooting for you. How to make peace with underachieving in my career for the sale of my personal life? While this is often the opposite of what is expected of us and what society has told us we need, you are putting yourself first and that takes SO much strength and a strong sense of self. You are overachieving when it comes to taking care of yourself. I celebrate that and am so proud of you. Advice to get Desi parents to stop pressuring you to get married? 36F and not interested. For the most part, this pressure is coming from the millennia old concern that desi parents have that a child isn’t truly settled until they’re married- it’s almost as if it’s encoded in their DNA. Sometimes remembering the WHY behind this pressure on you humanizes them, and you can react more calmly. Find a very simple line and make it your default response, and if they engage further, go hide in the bathroom or another room until they stop. Something like “I hear you, and I know you say this because you love me. I love me too, and I love my life.” I think Aparna Shewakramani’s book She’s Unlikeable is brilliant for everyone, but it has some amazing advice on how to live your truth when faced with expectations and standards that don’t fit your life. Highly highly recommend. Hi! What hotel near Madison Square Garden would you recommend? For older parents. How did you cut back on wine? Trying over here but my anxiety is not letting me. Doing a dry month helped me sit in the emotions that had me reaching for a glass of wine, and find alternative rituals that would ease those anxious feelings. Here are some of the rituals that helped:
What would your next book be about? I also want to work on the children’s book concept Rho came up with! Favorite brunch spots in NYC? Here are some other favorite spots (they’re all in Hells’ Kitchen or the UWS because that’s where we brunch most): Multifunctional bag/backpack rec please. I’m ok to splurge for a price that will go the distance! TYSM The Cuyana backpack and the Senreve Maestra are absolute perfection on this front. They fit a crazy amount of stuff without weighing you down, the quality of the leather are amazing, and both are so chic and can be worn a variety of ways. They are my most used bags when I’m running around the city and I can’t recommend them more highly. If you have a book idea, how do you go about that process? (Child development green) I would also read comparable titles to help you refine your pitch and better establish your differentiated angle as well- off the top of my head, I’d read Emily Oster’s books and Dr. Becky’s new book to help you focus on what you’re adding to the conversation that’s currently not being discussed or shared. Whether we like it not not, publishers will compare your proposal to these books, so It’s important to focus on what makes you and your book different and how it’ll contribute to this space. For nonfiction, much to my chagrin, having a strong social media presence matters. Focus on engagement and high quality instead of filler count, and pick 1-2 platforms to focus on and drive people to a newsletter list (which is an asset you can control and are not at the mercy of other companies and changing algorithms!) Coffee or chai? Bless you Kolkata Chai for making the most delicious chai mix that makes it so easy to make a cup of chai. Working mom with 4 and 1 year old. Tips to increase energy? Meditation, yoga, and Athletic Greens every morning- even if I’m still in my pajamas and lie in child’s pose for half the practice. I do it every single morning. I love a balanced snack plate for easy lunches (saw them on Dr. Rachel Paul’s page!), or I order Splendid Spoon soups and bowls when I have a crazy week ahead and need easy-to-eat meals. I tuck my phone in its charging bed most nights by 8pm so I can physically disconnect and prepare for better sleep. We also keep our lights dimmed when it gets dark to help balance our circadian rhythms, and I wear Felix Grays blue light blockers in the evening to help prepare for sleep. I also swear by Equilibria sleep gummies and extra strength drops, which I take by 8pm as well. Our weekends are solely for our family (the exception is karate and our kids’ friends birthday parties) and we are exceptionally lazy so everyone has a chance to recharge. Saw an interview with Marc Cuban. Any thoughts on his new drug company? Additionally, I’ve heard really positive feedback on their quick fulfillment and shipment of methotrexate scrips in states that are restricting its use because it’s used to manage ectopic pregnancies and abortions. My friend Halle Tecco interviewed Mark for her podcast- it’s a great listen! Linking it here. Last 4 weeks of pregnancy…. what’s one thing you’d strongly suggest I do before baby! I had a Thursday ritual in my last few weeks of going to therapy, Thai food, and acupuncture that was so restorative and I loved it. I would also sleep as much as I possibly can (even though it’s very uncomfortable at that point!!), lots of warm baths, and a fancy afternoon tea with a friend! Just grabbed Icebreaker :) Any other recent book requests? I’m still telling everyone that they need to read Her Majesty’s Royal Coven which is superb (think a grown-up, progressive Harry Potter!). And I’ve commenced my annual re-read of Deborah Harkness’ All Souls Trilogy because it’s officially spooky season. Have a great week, and I’ll see you next week! xo,
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issue #152 - yet another random one
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