PFO Newsletter - 4.10.24

It’s a rainy day in South Carolina as I write this…but it’s certainly a LOT warmer than it is in Michigan, where I spent last week, caring for my mom. 

I shared a few photos on Instagram of our time together and so many of you had questions about how she’s doing, because you’re also in that phase of life where you’re caring for a parent or a grandparent or loved one. In fact, you recently told me that over half of you reading this newsletter are caring for your kids and your parents/grandparents.

Poor mama has been through it. She fell in the middle of the night a few weeks back and suffered a concussion, plus some pretty nasty bruising. I’m dedicating an upcoming episode of the podcast to all of you who are caregiving, a conversation that, I hope, encourages us in this space. 

But, this week, we’re talking about what to do when your career conflicts with your family or home life. How about you? Have you ever had a job, or are you in a job that doesn’t jive or support your family/home life? 

We’ve been navigating big conversations about work-life “balance”, or work-life integration as I’ve learned has become the new phrase.

Not all of us can walk away, but my dear friend and former GMA co-anchor, Dan Harris did. He left TV News a few years back and really wrestled with the decision, saying it caused him a great deal of anxiety as he grappled with the decision. I’ve been pretty open that I lost my job at ABC back in 2020, but then chose not to return to TV News because I wanted something different for my family. 

While I encourage you to listen to the whole conversation, Dan said some things that can be really clarifying when wrestling with this sort of decision. He encourages: having open conversations with your partner or loved ones, meditating (he’s the 10% Happier, meditation guy, what did you expect?), social support, therapy and perhaps most interesting, practicing self-compassion. He said there’s a new body of research revealing that those who talk to themselves how they’d talk to a friend, make better decisions, as opposed to most people who talk to themselves negatively, like a drill sergeant. Something to chew on, for sure, as I bet most of us talk to ourselves harshly.

How do you talk to yourself?

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Something that gives me clarity when making big decisions is having a conversation with my older self. I channel my 70-year-old self, sipping a choice beverage on my front porch and ask her how I should make this decision that I’m wrestling with. Old Paula usually steers me in the right direction :) 

Whatever decision you’re working through this week, know that I’m cheering you on! Both Old Paula and my real life middle-aged version.

XO, Paula

FARIS FAVORITES 🤎

1. My Tried and True Hair Growth Product

My final review is in. IT WORKED! The weird, red light head massager that I got for Christmas has produced a TON OF NEW HAIR GROWTH. I’ve shared with you that I lost a large amount of hair last year due to a myriad of issues: stress, perimenopause, having teenagers.

Anyway, I have SO MUCH new growth and I’m giving the ScalpHero a thumbs up. 👍🏼 It’s important that with anything, you have to be consistent. And, I’ve been pretty consistent about using it daily for 5 minutes. 

2. Easy Sheet Pan Fajitas 🔥

I’ve not been cooking, lately (said every youth sports parent ever). But, my good friend Lindsay is coming through for all of us busy people with a tried-and-true, easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas recipe.

Keyword: EASY. She loves making this for her family and says it warms up great for lunches. Let me know how it turns out!

3. Take a Trip to the Movies 🍿

It’s hard to find a good movie that is entertaining, cinematic and clean. UNSUNG HERO is one your whole crew will love and tickets go on sale TODAY! It’s the story of one mother’s faith and determination to keep her family together after they lost everything. UNSUNG HERO is exclusively in theaters beginning April 26.

Too Good Not to Share 😘

Apparently, this reel is very shareable…I chuckle sometimes at the content that gets shared. I posted this last week and it’s been viewed over 10 million times. I guess people love it? LOL.

THE PAULA FARIS SHOW 🎙️

Dan Harris on What to Do When Your Career Conflicts with your Family

Dan Harris was my work husband for a long time at Good Morning America, where we co-anchored the weekend edition of GMA. A few years ago, he walked away from ABC News to spend more time with his family. So, what do you do when your career and family don’t align?

How To Ditch The Guilt Of Being A Working Parent with Jon Acuff

My dear friend Jon Acuff, an author/speaker and one of the quippiest humans you’ll meet, will tell us how we can DITCH THE GUILT of being a working parent. Even if our job stinks. This may have been one of the biggest AHA moments I’ve had as a parent…

Your feedback from last newsletter’s poll…

What's Your Take on Trust? 

The majority of you (54%) said you trust someone until they give you a reason not to. Read some of your responses below 👇

➡️ I assume all people are good by nature and trustworthy. My father says I’m too trusting. I’ve been burned a few times, including 3 divorces.

➡️ My husband would say, trust but verify. I’m a little less trusting.

➡️ Just like you, Paula, I have always gone in trusting and then if given a reason to no longer trust someone, it is pretty much gone for good.

➡️ Trust is knowing the person will forgive you if you make a mistake or hurt them.

Did you like this edition?

Be fearless and and tell us how we did.

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If you're a working mom, make sure you're getting THE CARRY™ ALL, the newsletter by and for working moms! I founded CARRY™ in 2022, to create load-lessening content for working moms and to help carry their many burdens.

Here's what you missed in last week's THE CARRY™ ALL:

1. 📣 Key Tips for Advocating for Yourself at Work
2. 🗣️ And How to Advocate for Your Colleagues
3. 💼 Your Superhero Kit (a.k.a. The CARRY™ ALL Bag)

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