Fewer, Better Readers and Five Things

Issue 119

Dear Friends, hello and happy Thursday. You granted me so much permission to be late last week—I did it again this week. Freedom.

In prepping Issue 119, I took a page from my writer-friend Alexandra’s book when I scrubbed my subscriber list. I gently released 81 people from the clutches of The Letter because they hadn’t engaged with it for at least six months (no doubt there are more lurking).

Now, The Letter has fewer, better readers—and you’re one of them. Congrats! 🎉

Question: Are you willing to go backward to go forward?

Sign me up!

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Five Things

1. There are paper towels, and there are UNpaper towels. This brand comes recommended by an avid cook with a family of four and excellent taste. I'm taking the plunge as soon as my Costco paper towels run low. I want to think I’ll go all in and never restock the paper, but baby steps. (Here’s an Amazon link if you prefer.)

2. “The only person you should compare yourself to is the person you were yesterday.” Amy Morin said this. I don’t know much about Amy, and I don’t like the word should, but I do like the quote.
   
   I shared it with Emma. She's been talking a lot about what Piper has. Before I spewed a lesson, I told her I've noticed she's more aware of what her friends have. Then I told her nobody is immune to comparison—even adults. Then I told her that you NEVER know what's happening beneath the surface unless someone tells you (and most people won’t show their underbelly). Then I told her I like talking about the hard stuff because it makes the world better. We all have it—it just comes in different flavors. If we’re transparent, we all win.
   
   It’s true; I like talking about the hard stuff, but you’d be surprised by how much I hold back about my world (and I’m relatively transparent). I wish I had the courage to be even more so. Ultimately, I want The Letter to normalize the hard stuff (and offer the light stuff, like recommendations and insights). #goals
   
   Also, fuck comparison—we’re all drowning (aren’t we?).

3. Some people insist a good pair of socks makes life better. Some say these do the trick (and the men’s version). I don’t own a pair of Bombas myself, but one can dream.
   
   New socks or not, when was the last time you edited your sock drawer? It’s time. Set a five-minute timer and see how much lighter you feel when you have fewer, better socks.

4. Do your iPhone photos save with a .heic extension? Do you wish they were .jpg instead? Trust me, you do. Here’s how to make the switch.

   Convert HEIC to JPG on iPhone:

   1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.

   2. Tap Camera > Formats > Most Compatible.

5. When all else fails, enjoy a video of a two-day-old elephant seal and its mom sent from Stephen. When baby calls, mama responds.

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My Apologies

I have nothing to apologize for this week. Winning!

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Thanks for being one of The Letter’s fewer, better readers. I’m grateful for you. Until next week… Simone

My inbox is always open, and I love your comments. ❤️