Jessica's Friday Five: Oct checklist, book rec, private podcast for Asheville
Published 22 days ago • 4 min read
Hi Reader,
Lately I've been thinking about how I want to invest more time into hobbies - things that I can do just for me. I've even purchased a few things to try to make this happen (like a home pottery kit), but I never actually make time to do the thing. My local Parks & Rec Department put out their winter activities guide this week. There's a painting class there that happens on a weekday morning. Instead of being annoyed that it's not offered at night, I decided - what if I signed up anyway? I have the privilege of working for myself, so there's technically no reason I couldn't make space for that even if some old loyalty to a traditional work week makes that feel a little uncomfortable. I know myself well enough to know that having something on the calendar that involves other human beings will help me priortize it much more than just a vague sense of, "I should make time for a hobby sometime this week". So, acrylics and oil painting class at the local rec center on Thursday mornings, here I come! My life isn't getting less busy anytime soon, and I'm not gonna wait to live the life I want. Do you do anything like this in your week?
Let's get to your Friday Five!
Get organized for the rest of the year. The next few months often have a lot of extra "things to do" for all of us. Here are some suggestions for things you might need to pay some attention to as October begins:
Winter holiday time off/travel - do you want to take time off work? Go anywhere? Go ahead and get that process started.
Halloween costumes - if you want/need them in your family, now's the time to make that happen.
Add tentative dates for your fave traditions to the calendar. It's easy for seasons to fly by, so if there's something you really want to do (pumpkin patch, looking at holiday lights, parades, cookie baking day, shopping days, holiday card design and stuffing, etc.), tentatively mark it on the calendar now. Also, here's permission to skip any of these things if they do not bring you joy.
Winter gear - does what you have from last year still fit?
Flu and COVID shots - it's time for them again! Do it for you + for the others that won't get sick because you won't pass it on to them.
Fair Play Certification. I am thrilled to be a certified Fair Play Method facilitator now. I've been recommending the book for years and years - it's all about having a more intentional and equitable split of home and family responsibilities. If you'd be interested in a workshop on the topic for your community group or team, let me know by hitting reply. If you'd be interested in joining a book club on the topic with me, let me know by clicking here! If there's enough interest, I'll try to make it happen. Buy the book on Amazon or Bookshop.
Hack for Gmail Users: I recently switched away from icons in my Gmail account to having word labels for things like "Archive" and "Snooze", and I prefer it so much! Here's more about how to do this.
Book Recommendation: I was unexpectedly sick earlier this week, and a silver lining was that it meant I got to finish Sharon McMahon's new book The Small and the Mighty much sooner than expected as I laid in bed feverish and achy. For a reason, it got the #1 spot in the NYTimes Best Seller List this week - the book is about twelve unsung Americans who changed the course of history. The stories are inspiring, funny, shocking, and worth knowing. This would make an excellent gift for anyone in your life who is a reader. And if you're not following Sharon on social media yet, that is an immediate thing to change (I'm not kidding - if I could follow a single Instagram account, it would be hers). Buy it on Amazon or Bookshop.
Help Hurricane Victims: Here are 3 ways to help from people I know personally:
My friend Menekşe is putting together a fundraiser for the residents of Asheville, NC. It's a private podcast feed with great expert talks on various topics. I've recorded and contributed a talk on "5 Practical Ways to Balance it All as a Working Parent". Other talks include time-saving Gmail features, 3 ways to use AI, the best folder system for organizing digital files, and more. You can buy the private podcast for $9 (or more if you can give more) here.
In addition, I've been doing some pro-bono coaching of an amazing organizer in NC and she shared the following when I asked how we can help: "Blue Ridge Public Radio is doing a good job of posting places to donate, and if you feel so inclined, locals have started a GoFundMe campaign for my small hometown community. For context as to why bigger relief efforts are not making as much of an impact (yet) during this initial crisis stage in very rural communities, I wrote something to help people understand how isolated these communities are because I'm just sitting here frantically wishing I could take action."
Finally, my friends Leslie and Sam live in Asheville and will be driving a van and a few cars from Atlanta back to Asheville, loaded with essentials—water, gas, food, cleaning supplies, tarps, batteries, hygiene and baby items—to distribute to communities struggling to access relief centers. We'll be working hand in hand with our neighbors to get these supplies to those who need them most. If you can help them buy more, donate here.
Bonus Democracy Deeds:If you're wondering what these "democracy deeds" are all about, they're around for the next 4 issues of Friday Five and here's why I am including them.
Download the Reach App: The Reach app is a free download that allows you to connect with people you already know in swing states to help ensure they're registered to vote, etc. Download and set it up today!
Share your link (below!) with your people and once they sign up, you will get rewarded as my thanks to you. Get your first reward after 2 signups, then another after 7, and a big reward after 25 referrals!
There may be affiliate links in this email which means I may receive a commission if you purchase something through a link. However, please be assured that I only recommend products I have personally used and love!
