This week felt like my most balanced one in a while. There were some great moments - a dinner with some of the most dynamic and powerful women in media, tech, and entertainment, a big family Diwali party that reminded me of the ones my parents and their friends hosted, and a day trip to the Hudson Valley for Olivia Muenter’s vision of an adult Scholastic Book Fair come to life. And there were a lot of little moments that I barely documented - morning walks and a long run in Central Park, the cozy chaos of the mornings and evenings with the boys, phone banking whenever time permitted, and some solo evenings where I watched New Moon and Eclipse (as a part of my annual Twilight series rewatch) and texted Rahaf on how unhinged the series is - and how we can’t stop this tradition. I’ve found that balance isn’t about an even split between my different roles, but when I focus on finishing over doing things the way I envision. I journaled at the kitchen table when the kids ate breakfast. I did my planning and the negging tasks from the waiting rooms of their activities. And we’ve been emphasizing home contributions a lot more - Rhaki helps me make my own bed (because he’s usually in it by 5:30 am), Rho unloads the dishwasher and gets the breakfast supplies out. Both boys help clean the kitchen in the evenings, and we curl up on the couch to read most weeknights. The best gift my husband gave me is teaching Rhaki how to make a latte with minimal supervision, which has been the biggest improvement to my mornings. I do think balance as it’s portrayed (equal time and attention among all your roles) is bullshit. I believe in balanced moments, where you accept a certain level of chaos and find peace and presence within them. And in getting your kids more involved at home (especially in the making of coffee). If figuring out your self-care plan is intimidating, here’s mine (workouts, meals, and mindfulness practices):
Catch up on the latest reads here:
Fireborne (The Aurelian Cycle Book 1)by Rosaria Munda I’ve been searching for a book that scratches my Fourth Wing itch, and @exoplanet_emma delivered with this recommendation. It’s Fourth Wing with a touch of Game of Thrones, but what I really love about this series is how much it parallels Lost Stars (a Star Wars novel that I read every year). I’m in awe of how Rosaria Munda reveals the plot and the characters’ nuance so beautifully. This series immediately shook me out of my reading rut, and will be joining my comfort re-read list. If I haven’t convinced you yet, this might. And if you need or have book recommendations, please join the conversation! You can find my 2024 reads here, and October’s reads here. Countertop Spice Rack ($30)After dealing with spices falling out of my cabinet or spilling into my drawers, I succumbed to a countertop spice rack. And I’m kicking myself for not doing it sooner. Being able to see all of my frequently used spices is the tiny change that’s immediately improved my life. Hyperbolic? Yes. Accurate? Also yes. Find all my Amazon favorites here. Making HERstory: How WNBA owner Clara Wu Tsai turned a team ‘no one wanted’ into New York’s next big franchisepublished in CNN The only New York teams I pledge allegiance to are the Liberty and Gotham FC - and damn it feels good to be fans of championship winning teams. I’m equally a fan of the incredibly brilliant women who own and operate these teams, and Clara Wu Tsai’s ownership and investment in the Liberty deserves its own case study or leadership book. I took notes from this piece, and invested in my own season tickets for the Liberty next season. I share smart & fun reads, cheap (and useful thrills), and outfits on Instagram, and random musings on Threads. If that’s your thing, please hang out with me over there!
Sharing
Makingphone calls to voters - 8 days out from Election Day! I’m also calling my own family members to make sure they have their voting plans. If phone banking isn’t your thing, talking to your loved ones is so effective (and for Pennsylvanians, I think it’s more effective than canvassing or phone banking them - my family is over it, and you’ve never met more proud Democrats). Ripple can help you craft specific, non-spammy messages to help engage them. Answering
Catch up on last month’s questions and answers. Recommending
These are my most popular recommendations. Tryingto avoid the polls and binging on election news. If you If you enjoyed this weekend’s letter, please consider:
Wishing you a wonderful Sunday. xo,
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