Jessica's Friday Five: This Box Changed How My Dad Plans for the Future (+ Krispy Kreme Deal Inside!)

Hi Reader,

This email was written several days ago so that I could be offline most of this week on vacation. Today I'm on the road to Palm Springs for Alt Summit (if you happen to be attending, I hope you'll let me know so we can say hi!). I've got my family in tow so that they can enjoy the sunshine and pool while I am in sessions since the kids happen to be on spring break. Next week, we'll be in D.C. housesitting for some cute pups (shoutout to Trusted Housesitter for making that possible!) and visiting friends and sites, so we welcome your Palm Springs or D.C. "must-not-miss" suggestions!

Let's get to your Friday Five, OK?

1. Make a brainless productivity list: Ideally, when your energy is done for the day, you can stop working and make time for rest. Aaaand - I know that's not always available to all of us. One thing that can help is to make yourself a "brainless productivity" list in your phone notes or on a post-it on your desk. When your energy is flagging and complex work feels out of the realm of possibility, grab that list and make some progress on something that is easier when energy is low. Perhaps it's finally clicking yes to let your computer software update, or wiping down your desk, or filing papers. If you can't leave work but also can't focus well, this list can help you move some easier things forward while acknowledging that energy levels constantly fluctuate in our bodies. Expecting to be at 100% all the time is lying to ourselves.​
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2. Use a microphone: I have been guilty of being the person about to speak in public who says, "I don't need a mic, my voice is loud enough!". But years ago I learned why that can be really harmful for the 20% of folks worldwide with some sort of hearing challenge. So - whether you think you need it or not? Use the microphone when it's available to you. Here's a post to learn more and/or share with your network.
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3. Eat donuts and help young artists: If you could use an excuse to eat Krispy Kreme, here you go. Buy a voucher here which gets you a dozen donuts, and half the proceeds go to the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. The price is $15 (the same as what you'd pay in the store for a dozen, but maybe even cheaper depending on local taxes), but this way, half of your money goes to charity. Win win. 🍩
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4. Know someone expecting a baby? A professional colleague of mine (hi Ashley!) is going on maternity leave soon to give birth to her first. I suggested last week that she try to get this book and read at least some of it before her leave. The second part consists of a series of diverse, short 2 - 7ish page birth stories. During the intense pains of labor, I remained emotionally calm because I had read other women describe the same specific sensations of pain. The book reassured me that what I felt, though incredibly intense, was normal. It helped me worry less in the moment, which was invaluable. Share this suggestion with anyone you know expecting a baby in 2025. Oh - and encourage them to consider hiring a doula if they can swing it. Ours made a huge difference for each of us (me, my husband, and our baby).
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5. My dad loves this box: I bought my dad this Nokbox (it stands for "Next of Kin Box"), and he loves it. I asked him if he thought I should share it in Friday Five, and he said, "Yes, greatest box ever! All important papers in one file! I should have gotten it years ago." He's finding it helpful to keep himself organized. We all feel more prepared if he needs to evacuate (he lives in hurricane country) so he can take everything with him easily, and we also are not in denial that any of us will be around forever. So it's not just an organizational system—it's a final gift of peace to your loved ones, sparing them the stress of hunting for important documents while they're grieving. By organizing everything from account passwords to important contacts in one accessible place, you're giving your family the freedom to focus on remembering you rather than untangling the paperwork you left behind. If you've been meaning to get your documents more organized, this might be the thing that helps you do it without being overwhelmed.

P.S. Monday is St. Patrick's Day; I know some of you celebrate. It might be fun to make some green pancakes for breakfast or just pick up a box of Lucky Charms cereal this weekend. Enjoy! 🍀

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