what I learned from a closet clean out

just the hits #6

Is there anything better than an edited, refolded, tidy drawer?

Yes - a full dresser that’s edited, refolded, and sparking so much joy (with the help of one of my favorite things ever).

I’ve been chipping away at my closet refresh since pwe got back to the city, with a lens on what actually fits my body and my life. I let go of the trousers I’ve been wishfully hanging on to, the tops that I constantly tug at, and the dresses and sets I haven’t touched in months (and years, for some).

While I’m not shedding any physical weight (and don’t care to), I have been slowly shedding a lot of mental and emotional baggage.

I’m still detangling of my self-worth from quantitative value (revenue, engagement, and growth). I’m planting the seeds of what I’d like to do next, rather than jumping right into an impulsively set goal. I ask for help, more than I ever have.

While these shifts seem small, they are a major departure from the decades of defining success by other people’s metrics, or jumping in the deep end of a new goal, or trying to go it alone. It’s heartening to know I’m not alone - my friend Sehreen is in the midst of her own pivot, and many of her realizations mirror mine.

Marie Kondo was right. There’s something life changing about tidying up - especially before a trip.

Catch up on the latest posts, and my podcast interview with the New Modern Mom podcast:

how to practice citizenship

just the hits #5

Big Fan

by Alexandra Romanoff

Politics, pop stars, and spicy love? Say less, and please give me more.

Big Fan is the debut book from 831 Stories, a new venture from Claire and Erica (of

A Thing or Two

fame) and I very much regret not responding to Claire’s email about the venture and getting involved early.

I digress. This spicy, fantastic novella blew me away, even after my unusually high expectations set by friends who got their copies early. It’s basically Scandal meets The Idea Of You, and I tore through it in a single sitting.

You can find my 2024 reads here, and my September reads here.

Hairbrush Cleaner ($12)

If you can’t remember the last time you properly cleaned your hairbrush, this is your sign to do it - and to get this handy tool to remove all the hair, dust, and icky things before giving it a good shampoo and letting it dry. You can buy it from my Flagship shop, or on Amazon.

Find all my Amazon favorites here.

After Shark Tank, Mark Cuban Just Wants to Break Shit—Especially the Prescription Drug Industry

published in WIRED

While I don’t agree with some of his answers in this interview (mostly on the subject of taxes and billionaires), I do appreciate Mark Cuban’s brutal honesty in this interview. His commitment to improving access and affordability of medication, with radical transparency, is what I value most about him and I loved learning more about how Cost Plus Drugs came to be, and where it’s going.

“Platforming for the next step” is how Cuban describes his departure from Shark Tank and the sale of his majority stake in the Mavericks, and it’s a powerful reframe that I’ll be adopting (especially as I shift from my “just vibing” chapter into a more intentional one).

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

• If you’re trying to drink less alcohol (and are okay with a bit of THC), these gummies are IT. They help me feel more relaxed and at ease in social settings, with no hangover or post-drinking anxiety. Strawberry lychee is my favorite, and you can get 15% off your first order using code hitha.

• this is my favorite work outfit right now. Both the top and the pants hold up beautifully after multiple wears before watching, and they make me feel confident, polished, and comfortable (especially when I’m carrying a bit more weight than I usually do). I also love the price point - each piece is under $40.

• I’m so glad I had the foresight to order Methodology meals for us this week, which covered our lunches and some dinners. These meals are incredibly delicious and satisfying, and the investment is worth it for us. You can get 10% off your order with my link, if you’d like to try.

Making

many, many visits to the post office to ship my full Trashie bags.

Answering

• this is how I’m dealing with perimenopause brain fog:

  • locking myself out of my highly distractible apps (I use the Forest app)

  • timers for every task I do.

  • the most important note in my Notes app is titled 🧠💩, and it’s where I put everything that comes to my mind and don’t want to forget.

  • the aforementioned gummies to help unwind without dealing with hangovers

• how to get involved in the election (just over 50 days away!)

• how to maintain friendships when you’re short on time (I’m currently in a season where friendships are not my top priority, and this is how I’m handling it):

  • I send a friend a “thinking of you” text when I’m actually thinking of them, along with a quick update (2-3 sentences of the state of my life). I’m also a frequent sender of the “thinking of you and sending you love, no need to respond” text, especially when a friend is going through a hard time.

  • If I’m attending an event, I request a +1 and bring a friend with me.

  • I’ll respond to and send voice memos (to my friends who prefer them) when I’m doing chores.

These are my most popular recommendations.

Reading

• Lady of the Eternal City by Kate Quinn

• The Perfectionist’s Guide to Letting Go by Katherine Morgan Schafler (this is one I’m taking my time with)

Trying

• to learn how to crack an egg one handed, for no other reason that it just looks very impressive

---

If you enjoyed this weekend’s letter, please consider:

• tapping the ❤️ icon below

• tapping the 💬 and answer this question: what are you letting go of?

• upgrading your subscription, if budget permits. Paid subscribers will have access to my personal essays and will be entered to win monthly gift boxes (this month box includes a copy of Fiona Davis’ forthcoming book, some of my favorite products from The Outset, and a Bottega-esque bag that’s perfect for fall).

Wishing you a wonderful Sunday.

xo,
HPN