swipe file: gentle wednesday

it's the perfect mid-week reset

These swipe files are the practices and documents I use regularly to be the leader and caregiver I want to be, and to stay well. I keep the majority of swipe files are behind the paywall (in an effort to protect them from generative AI tools (which essentially steals these and shares it with no attribution), but am lifting it on this one. I’ve priced my Substack as low as the platform will let me, and I hope to earn your upgraded subscription (and am incredibly grateful to the hundreds of you who support this work).

Gentle Wednesdays are a practice I started when I was pregnant with Rhaki. I batched the “thing I had to do” (therapy to help manage prenatal depression) with something I actually wanted to do (usually lunch at Hillstone’s, or an acupuncture appointment). My coworking space was a few blocks from all of these spots, and I’d return feeling recharged and ready to tackle the rest of my tasks.

That was a time. Gentle Wednesdays look a lot different now, but the intention is the same. It’s a chance for me to catch my breath mid-week and reset before ending the week strong. I indulge in a little treat, spend some time doing what I want to do midday, and sometimes meet up with a friend. When I can, I try to clear my calendar so I can tackle the deep work that I didn’t get to earlier in the week (and shift tactical/lower priority work and necessary meetings to Thursday and Friday).

I recognize I have the privilege of running my own company and working remotely, but I hope you can find a ritual or two (or add your own, in the comments!) to help create your own Gentle Wednesdays.

Start with just one, and I hope you can slowly add another one or two over time.

My Gentle Wednesday Rituals

• treat yourself to a cup of coffee at a nearby coffeeshop, and enjoy it at the table or in your car. If you’re able, keep your phone in your bag and savor the moment. If sitting still is challenging, then I recommend reading, journaling, or listening to music or an audiobook.

• walk the long way home from school drop-off, through Central Park. No headphones, no phone.

• see a Broadway matinee

• wear the ‘nice’ lounge set or pajamas while working from home. If I’m out of the house, I’ll change into them when I get home.

• visit a museum and wander around (something I can do easily in NYC, and I don’t take it for granted!)

• get a facial, blowout, or acupuncture appointment (aka use the memberships I already pay for)

• read, but make it a whole vibe. I brew a cup of tea and put it in the nice mug, make a little snack, play the Pride & Prejudice score, curl up on the couch with my softest blanket, and read for as long as I can.

• go out to dinner with a friend.

• If I’m not out, Wednesdays are my husband’s and my solo nights (he does what he wants, I do what I want). He opts for video games, and I have every intention of vibe reading (but end up watching Housewives while eating Haribo Goldbears straight out of the bag).

• make Wednesday nights your takeout/delivery night. We do pizza (and love

  Leah Wiseman Fink’s Williamsburg Pizza)—this introduced the kids to Gentle Wednesdays, and we let them pick breakfast and the playlist that morning (usually chocolate chip pancakes, and still the Kpop Demon Hunters soundtrack).