issue #215 - the one on slowing down
what I used to resent is what I now treasure
If there’s a lesson I’ve stubbornly refused to learn most of my life, it’s to slow down. And if you don’t slow down on your own, you’ll be forced to do it.
Monday and Tuesday had a lot of appointments for my kids and parents. Rather than scrolling on my phone or firing off emails while I waited, I popped in my earbuds and listened to a book while going for a quick walk instead of waiting in the lobby. It was incredibly restorative.
Instead of rushing the kids home after school, we moseyed and stopped for ice cream at the Mister Softee truck that’s returned to its usual spot. With vanilla cones for them and a cherry dip for me, we savored our treats as we walked the final few blocks home. It was wonderful - for all of us.
I normally rush through making dinner, but I slowed down and said yes when Rhaki asked if he could cook with me. He used this chopper set to help cube tofu and finely chop steamed broccoli, mixed the batter for savory pancakes, and added pre-measured seasonings in whatever I was preparing. Dinner tasted better on the nights he helped make it.
There were still the late nights working, the mad dash to school most mornings, and furiously triaging my inboxes whenever I had a second. Most of my week was a blur, but the moments I slowed down on purpose - these and treating my husband to a 40th birthday super date on Friday - are crystal clear in my memories, and make me smile as I think about them.
And frankly, I needed this reminder as I fire off this newsletter before the dinner/bath/bedtime routine on Saturday evening. All I can remember from this day is that my run had a great playlist, the groceries got ordered, and we really should’ve ventured out to the park earlier in the day.
Today, I’m going to choose to go slow instead of rushing through the day. I want to sip my coffee while it’s piping hot and the house is quiet (and set an early alarm to hopefully do just that). I want to enjoy the walk home from karate and lunch and notice something new in my neighborhood. I want to get my hands messy while we make homemade spaghetti. I want to curl up on the couch with the boys and read something new, and marvel as I hear them read the words aloud.
I’m sure there will be moments when we’re running out the door (and likely running a bit late), or when I feel like I’m about to lose my cool, or I get overwhelmed and feel like I’m going to lose it. But I hope that I can choose peace instead of chaos in those moments, and savor this day.
When was the last time you had a slumber party?
sponsored by Hotels.com
Not the sleeping bags on the floor-prank calling-light as a feather stiff as a board kind of slumber party. I’m talking about fluffy hotel robes, turn down service, room service, and chic cocktail bars kind of slumber parties.
The latter has become a thing for me this year, and I’m loving it.
I had a mid-week escape to a Vrbo in the North Fork with my friend Leah. After wrapping up a bit of work, we sipped wine and nibbled on cheese by the fire, fell asleep to the sounds of the ocean, and took a beach walk in the morning.
In LA, my friend Komal joined me for a sleepover at Shutters on the Beach. We went for long walks along the beach, got pampered at the spa, sipped cocktails, and ate all the delicious foods.
When I was speaking at a conference in Palm Springs, my friend Serena popped down from San Francisco. We lunched at the Parker, dined at The Colony, and relaxed by the pool at The Saguaro - and caught up on all the things.
My solo work trips can often be lonely. There are times when I need that solitude (when I have a major meeting or a keynote speech, or a bookcation). And then there are times where I’m thrilled to have 1:1 quality time with a friend (who also appreciates a great meal and a restful sleep in a hotel bed). And with all the OneKeyCash I’ve racked up with these trips and my One Key Platinum Status (which unlocks discounts and perks), all I have to figure out is where I’m going next, and with who.
Any recommendations?
Funny Story
by Emily Henry
says there are two kinds of Emily Henry readers - those who fall in the Happy Place and People We Meet On Vacation camp, and those that fall in the other camp. I must occupy the overlap in the Venn Diagram because Henry has yet to write a book I didn’t love, but Funny Story might be my favorite of hers so far. It’s got an implausible plot, two endearing characters that originally present as misers, and is full of such heart and love and eventual joy. Listening to Julia Whelan’s narration made it all the more perfect (she was the one to recommend Emily Henry to me in the first place), and felt full circle.You can find my 2024 reading list and reviews here, and my April reads here.
OG Yoga Pants ($25)
After living in my black pair for the better part of this week, I just ordered a few more pairs of the Goldilocks of yoga pants. They’re so comfortable that you’ll want to live in them, the flare is juuuuuust right, and the 29” length is perfect for my 5’4 frame. I’ve worn mine with an oversized linen button down and denim jacket to meet a friend for lunch, and a cozy sweatshirt when working from home. They’re perfect.
You can find my monthly Amazon favorites here.
NASA discovered bacteria that wouldn't die. Now it's boosting sunscreen.
published in Mashable
If you follow Charlotte Palermino on Instagram, you are well-versed in the many shortcomings in sunscreen available in the USA.
Basically, the FDA needs approve the new UV filters that have been authorized by other regulatory bodies all over the world so we can better protect our skin. But our own government agencies (NASA, in this case) might have discovered what could be a new protective sunscreen filter - bacillus lystrate.
Naturally, there’s a company already commercializing the filter in its starry-branded line (Delavie Sciences), but the story in how bacillus lystrate was discovered is a fascinating, fun one. And while new filters require approval from the FDA, bacillus lystrate is a raw material added to sunscreen products to boost solar protection factor by absorbing UV rays (rather than being categorized as a filter, and requiring approval).
You can find every issue of #5SmartReads here, and subscribe to the daily newsletter here.
Sharing
Libro.fm, my favorite audiobook platform (which exclusively supports indie bookstores), is having a massive audiobook sale in honor of Indie Bookstore Day. I picked up a bunch of books, and am most excited to read The Radium Girls, A Proposal They Can’t Refuse, The Windsor Knot, and Tig Notaro’s I’m Just a Person.
Making
these broccoli cottage cheese pancakes, which I haven’t cooked in a while. I highly recommend doubling the recipe because they’re just that good. I added a few teaspoons of Curry Leaf podi, onions, and serrano peppers to my batter, and served it with this achaar mixed in Greek yogurt as a dip.
Answering
the best nasal drops to clear congestion and help you breathe better
the best place to get a massage and some R&R in NYC
Reading
Sarah L. Hudson’s Space series was my comfort re-read of the week between finishing Funny Story and two must-preorder ARCs (Marriage & Masti by Nisha Sharma and Cross the Line by Simone Soltani).
Trying
to do less.
xo,
HPN
Slowing down is the best. I feel more present, in the moment, to just feel whatever is going on. When I rush, I don’t feel anything. It is an impactful realization to me to know I was avoiding feeling, all the feelings.
Let’s do it again. ❤️❤️