PFO Newsletter- 01.31.25

Today is the last day in January. (Thank God!) It’s not just you. January feels like it’s 489 days long and there are scientific reasons as to why, ranging from the colder weather, lack of structure compared to the overly planned holiday season, new year pressures/resolutions, etc.

I’m already in a bit of hot water regrading my comments about the Tennessee basketball coach who returned to work 7 days after having a baby. (More in a moment…)

But first, all that to say, bring on February!

John and I have decided to extend our 30-day connectivity challenge to a 60-day challenge, which involves spiritual, physical and emotional/mental components. And I’d like to apologize to you because in my last newsletter, I invited you to join our connectivity challenge by commenting in the comment section at the bottom of the newsletter. Buuuuut, my comment section hit a snag. It should be working this week and I’d love to engage with you there! Fingers crossed we fixed the issue.🤞🏽

Also, John and I capped our January HOT TOPICS podcast series, with a conversation about college–why the process is so competitive and our role as parents.

A listener, CJ, reached out to tell me her biggest takeaways from the episode were:

➡️ The value of a college degree is in the person getting the degree

➡️ It’s less about where you go to college and more about how you take advantage of the opportunities at the college you attend

Make sure you check out the episode and weigh in on my Instagram page with your thoughts/advice.

Also, because you’re an insider and you’ve asked me to talk about relationships and dating on the podcast, I can’t wait to tell you our lineup beginning next week:

1. Dating After Divorce

2. Getting Back with your Ex

3. Single in your 40’s –What our Single Friends Want Us To Know

4. Navigating your Teens Dating

5. How to Keep It Spicy with Your Partner

Finally, I want to clarify my remarks on Instagram from earlier this week about the Tennessee women’s basketball coach who returned to work 7 days after having her baby. Never was I intending to judge her. My issue has more to do with how we, as a society, celebrate and normalize this, as well as the harmful and dangerous precedent it sets for other women, who have been advocating long and hard for postpartum health. 

Moreso, if you’re in a position of leadership, you set the tone. You have to walk the walk. A few years ago, Twitter’s then CEO took a portion of his paternity leave but he didn’t take the entire leave that was granted him and Twitter employees. That’s a huge problem. Do you think his employees were empowered to take their full leave after he only took part of his? Same with the Tennessee coach. Will the women and men behind her feel empowered to take their full leave, or will they feel pressure to follow in her footsteps? Food for thought. 

I’m sure some of you will still feel like I should keep my mouth shut. But, I’m sorry, I can’t on this one. The continual marginalization and discrimination of motherhood is a topic that I won’t shut up about until motherhood is valued and celebrated, and the motherhood penalty is eradicated. 

We’re expected to work like we don’t have kids. And, raise our kids like we don’t have a job. 

It’s an impossible and unhealthy standard that we need to keep talking about…in order to change the game for moms and families. K. Now I’m done. :) 

Can’t wait to hear from you in the comments and on my IG feed!

Paula xo 

FARIS FAVORITES 🤎

1. 1440 NEWS: My New Favorite News!

You know I’m a big fan of media outlets that deliver content without a slant. Just this week alone, I’m amazed how it can feel like we’re living in two different worlds, based on which channel I watch. I encourage you to limit your TV News, and instead check out 1440…a daily email for intellectually curious people looking for fact-driven, impartial news. Check them out in the section above 👆🏽 and get their free, daily newsletter. I’m a HUGE fan!

2. BEAST GAMES: Our Favorite Family Show!

We have two teenagers and a tween, so finding a show we all like can be a beast. Speaking of, we’ve found one that we’re all loving: Mr Beast’s new Amazon Prime show, called “Beast Games”.  It’s a fun watch for our family that we all get into.  Speaking of, I need to wrap this newsletter up because we’re getting ready to watch the latest episode.

3. My new favorite high protein recipe!

Not sure about your text threads with friends, but most of ours either involve a high-protein recipe or something funny and inappropriate. Ha. It’s hit or miss with a lot of the recipes, but one that I LOVE making lately is THIS high-protein chicken patty.

THE PAULA FARIS SHOW 🎙️

From our last poll, the majority of you (53%) said you never made a New Year’s Resolution/Goal. Keep reading for some of your comments. 

➡️ “Just trying to make healthier choices for myself. Eating smarter. Moving my body more. Giving myself time/space to unplug. Not beating myself up when I have an "off" day and don't exercise, or eat something "unhealthy". So far so good.”

➡️ “Started exercising almost every day again. Hadn't been doing since last October and was paying the price with not being able to zip my pants up! Started Jan. 3rd and am still with it. :)”

➡️ “It’s been a goal of mine to read the entire Bible. I’ve got a group of 4 friends also going through the plan. I’m 19 days in and Dr. Caroline Leaf says it takes about 62 days to create a habit!”

➡️ “Making healthier choices, not a diet!!!”

➡️ “I casually stated I wouldn’t eat out of a bag anymore and would pour the appropriate amount of snack in a bowl like a civilized person; but I got a cold and forgot about my proclamation and can’t remember if I’ve stuck to it since then? Hmm? Can’t remember. ”

➡️“The stress of maintaining something that needs to adjust is too high. My brain goes to “all or nothing”, so if I miss a day or too many days I’m a “failure”. So I adjust things when I see the need and baby step it.”

➡️ “Slow progress but it’s still progress!”

➡️ “Committed to doing Faster Way to Fat Loss again this year. Still logging food, water, fasting and workouts daily! Community is a huge motivator!”

➡️ “My resolution is self-care. Our dog left our lives on Christmas Day. She was fourteen and survived cancer. She had illnesses and needed a lot of care. With her not in our home, I am able to focus on my faith, my health and my family more.” 

Join the Conversation!

If you’ve made it this far, I invite you to join (or start) the conversation in our comments section. What would you like to share? -Paula