how to do less - and still get things done
just the hits #12
I’m grateful that last week was a balanced one. Because this one was…not.
It was full of some incredible moments - celebrating Diwali at the White House (and again with my family and some close friends), trick-or-treating, voting and canvassing.
(have you voted yet? do you have your voting plan?)
It was a week where messes piled up around the house, my inboxes were flooded with emails I actually needed to answer, and I fell out of my routine.
I find myself in an adrenaline/numb cycle in weeks like these - I turn on the energy and sparkle when I have to, and I blankly stare at a wall the rest of the time. Rather than fighting it (like I usually do), I found a resigned acceptance that I’d be doing less - and to adjust accordingly.
Here’s what doing less looked like for me (the most basic advice which I clearly don’t follow all the time):
Monotasking. Doing one thing at a time, with your full focus. The Forest app is the only way I manage to monotask successfully - it locks me out of my phone over the duration of the timer (or else you kill a tree). Looking at my ever growing forest over the day was satisfying enough to keep using it. I also love that you can use the coins you earn in the app to plant an actual tree.
(Proactively) let it go. I knew my regular plan would go out the window this week. While the kids were at karate on Sunday, I planned what I wasn’t going to do and what was doable:
Workouts: 7K steps instead of my workout plan
Nutrition: protein shakes (3 scoops) + 2 cups of Greek yogurt before noon.
Morning routine: meditation was my non-negotiable, journaling + yoga whenever I could.
Sleep: I knew I was going to sleep poorly, and I accepted it.
Work from everywhere (you can). Whenever I had a spare moment, I was triaging my inboxes, pulling out my laptop to write, and dictating responses as I walked. I was barely at my desk this week, but managed to get the big things done and check in with my team. As I write this newsletter, I’m the passenger princess in the car en route to Pennsylvania. This phone stand and keyboard were my work-from-wherever heroes whenever I didn’t have my laptop with me.
Rest whenever you can. I took a lot of coffee naps (have a cup of coffee, immediately close your eyes and sleep, and wake up refreshed in 20-30 minutes once the caffeine hits your bloodstream).
This upcoming week will be stressful enough. I plan to dive into my Hallmark Christmas movie queue (while wearing this shirt), eating soup and other comforting foods, and doing my best to stay off my phone and cable news.
If you missed the last few issues, here they are:
I was honored to be featured in
’s Desk Tour series - check it out here.
Dinner for Vampires
by Bethany Joy Lenz
I’m not super into cult culture - haven’t watched those documentaries or listened to those podcasts. It may have been my admiration for Bethany Joy Lenz (and her work on One Tree Hill and Hallmark movies) that drew me to her memoir, where she openly talks about her life in the Big House Family cult, and how she escaped it.
Not since Jessica Simpson or Britney Spears’ memoirs have I completely been consumed by a memoir (and this one is equally superb on audiobook). I listened to this book during commutes and chores. I scrolled through the Kindle version on my phone’s app while attending an outdoor movie night at the kids’ school. I stayed up too late on Wednesday night and let the kids watch a movie early Thursday morning (whyyyy do they wake up at 5 am??) so I could finish it.
It is GRIPPING - vulnerable, heartbreaking, and hopeful in equal measure. Please read it - and then come back so we can discuss.
You can find my 2024 reads here, and October’s reads here.
Laura Geller Baked Balance-n-Brighten Foundation ($25)
I had one of my biggest packing fails this week - I forgot to pack my makeup bag to DC.
Thank goodness for this foundation (and this palette), and a quick Sephora trip before getting in the security line.
This small compact has been the best confidence boost - it’s a low effort, fast way of looking pulled together. This travel size is a great way to try it out (and is the one I keep in my bags at all times for touchups). Bonus - it can survive multiple hot flashes or super humid weather.
Find this month’s Amazon favorites here.
Afghan Women Have Been Brought Back in Time
published in The Atlantic (gift link)
I wish I didn’t have to say that the dignity, safety, and freedom for girls and women matter - that it was simply a reality.
That we are still so far from that ideal in 2024 is a horrific tragedy - and one that’s increasingly getting worse in Afghanistan.
“If the Taliban continues, Afghanistan will soon become a graveyard for women and young girls, and the world will just watch.”
There is a small flicker of hope. Four countries - Australia, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands - filed a case against the Taliban at The Hague.
One small action I’m taking to support these women and girls is a recurring donation to Code to Inspire. The nonprofit operates the first advanced coding school for women and girls in Afghanistan, and continues to operate today.
If a donation is out of your budget, I hope you consider downloading and playing Afghan Hero Girl, a delightful game centered on a badass princess rescuing her family.
Substack is offering your first month FREE - this link will prompt you to download or open the Substack app to redeem it.
If you enjoyed this weekend’s letter, please consider:
tapping the ❤️ icon below
tapping the 💬 and share your best advice for surviving insanely busy weeks
upgrading your subscription, if budget permits. #5SmartReads is sent every Tuesday morning (and Substack will cover your first month!).
Please take exquisite care of yourself this week.
xo,
HPN
During these weeks, I let go and outsource! Staying nauseously optimistic 💟
Just ordered Bethany Joy’s book yesterday! Will return with thoughts. 👀