41
just the hits #38
As a kid, I slightly resented my summer birthday (solely because I missed out on having a class celebration, and my parties were sparsely attended).
As I get older, I love having a July 2nd birthday. It almost always falls on a long weekend, and I get to take advantage of Fourth of July deals. I love a deal.
40 was one of my most successful years at work. I’m so proud of my team and how we navigated some tough obstacles to get us back on the critical path (which we’re blazing down). Hosting the relaunched That Desi Spark fulfilled my lifelong “I want to be Oprah when I grow up,” and it’s an honor to continue building on what Annika Sharma created. We’re Speaking had an unexpected (and entirely welcome) paperback release, though I wish the election had the opposite outcome.
40 also rocked my world. I struggled with my mental health for most of the year, and supported my family through their own major challenges. But in getting through the hard times, I found fulfillment without realizing it.
In the weeks approaching my 41st birthday, I’m usually making a new vision board or setting some lofty new goals. This year, I had zero desire to sit down with a pile of magazines, and struggled to list any major goals that felt worthy of a mid-year reset.
Journaling was the one practice I adopted and kept up with this year. I started most days with my most powerful prompt - writing down 6 things I was manifesting (same things, every day). Here are the four that came true:
I’m living my most fulfilled life. I flow through my days with presence and ease.
I’m the healthiest I’ve ever been. I nourish my body with balanced meals, lift heavy weights, and sleep well. Thanks, GLP-1s (and rebuilding my health foundation)
My sons are compassionate and confident. They resolve conflict quickly and peacefully. Yes, and we keep at it. Things are getting better.
I am a great mom, wife, and daughter. I’m fully present when I’m with them, and I check in with them daily when I’m not. I was feeling this deeply and thought I didn’t need validation, but my mother-in-law surprised me with this:
Side note - this practice has worked for me in numerous ways, but the most wild outcome was at work. I dutifully wrote my ideal deal terms for our licensing deal from 2018-2020, which we successfully negotiated in 2021.
There are two work goals that I’m still working towards, so they’re staying on the list. And after reflecting and writing some more, I’m keeping the list the same.
Maybe the best gift we can give ourselves is valuing everything we have. And I am so grateful for all of it - especially that you’re here, and invite me into your inbox every week.
41 doesn’t carry the same celebratory pressures as turning 40, and carries a greater confidence and zero f*cks energy. It’s my favorite gift that comes with age.
This year, I’m celebrating my birthday at home with my family. We’ll enjoy champagne, merupakai bhajis, and a Wegmans cake. I’m finally getting a tattoo (maybe 2).
It’s going to be a great day. May it be a fulfilling year.
In honor of my birthday, I’m running a 50% off sale on all paid subscriptions. If you upgrade your subscription now, you’ll lock in this price for life (and have my eternal gratitude). I’ll be sharing my works in progress of my next nonfiction book and first novel, in addition to the full issue of #5SmartReads every week. Did I mention you’d have my eternal gratitude?
Catch up on the latest posts:
things i’m loving right now
Three (body) skincare saviors - this lotion (the perfect balance of hydrating and lightweight, smells incredible), this sunscreen (excellent protection and absorbs well, with only a slight white cast), and this mesh hoodie to throw over my workout clothes in the mornings.
I love Grace Atwood’s tips for resetting your nervous system. Mindlessly playing with LEGO or starting a jigsaw puzzle while my kids play have helped me, as does leaving my phone in another room or planting a Forest timer.
We constantly are hosting guests, who are enjoying the foldout bed in my home office. I ordered this foldable desk thinking I’d float around our home to work, but it fits perfectly in the corner of our bedroom. It’s fairly sturdy, requires no assembly, and easily folds when I want to reset my reading corner.
A genuinely joyful read. I firmly believe things would be better if we had a new Muppets movie.
My most popular recommendations: this refreshing & non-chalky protein powder (get 15% off your order with HITHA15), a $30 Doen-esque blouse, my summer bag, the best underwear, and a personalized Love Island water bottle.
Jo Piazza’s summer day in the life is chaotically relatable. Also, this is a reminder to pre-order Everyone Is Lying To You (scathingly smart and addictive).
If you’ve made it this far, THANK YOU. And if you enjoyed this Substack, please:
tap the ❤️ icon below.
tap the 💬 and share your most random observation right now.
tap the ‘share’ button to send this to someone who may enjoy my writing
I hope you have a wonderful week.
xo,
HPN
Cheers to you, Hitha!
Happy birthday and as always, go birds! 🦅