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This newsletter has received positive feedback for bringing joy to hectic days, encouraging smiles and sparking ideas. I hope it does the same for you.

Sleep Challenge

Everyone knows how important sleep is - obviously! I know. I've been told - like a million times. We also know all the things we are supposed to do to get good sleep, but do we do them? For me, the answer is a resounding no. I have always taken pride in the fact that I can manage fine on 6 hours of sleep - like it's a superpower. It's okay, feel free to roll your eyes. Recently, it occurred to me that if I do fine on six hours, what might I do with eight?! So, I'm in the process of trying to:

1. Stop looking at my phone one hour before I turn off the lights, and
2. Turn off the lights 8 hours before my alarm is set for the morning.

So simple, right?! NOT SIMPLE!! I'm so addicted to my phone at night - playing Wordle and the crossword, checking email one last time, reading the NYT - all the things! It's shockingly, embarrassingly hard. And I'm trying. Because good sleep makes me happier - and I would rather be happier than continue my Wordle streak. For now.

Affirm Your People

An affirmation is "a statement or action that confirms, supports, or validates the truth, value, or worth of something or someone." I had a conversation with a teacher at my kids' school this week that went like this:

Her: "Every time I see you, I think, what would it have been like to grow up with a mom like you - and I had a great mom."

Me: "Um...really?"

Her: "Yeah, you're incredible, like the most fun mom. I always mean to tell you, but I assume you totally know that about yourself."

Me: (ugly crying) "I really needed to hear that today - thanks."

It was such a good reminder to me that we don't always see ourselves the way other people see us. Let's tell each other more.

AI Tooth-Fairy

On the heels of that 'good mom' story, allow me to change your mind to 'lazy mom.' My daughter lost a tooth last week and right before she fell asleep she told me she didn't want the tooth fairy to bring her money - she wanted a note explaining why the tooth fairy collects teeth. Dang it kid! I still have work to do tonight. Enter Chat GPT! I asked my new AI friend to write a letter from the TF (because that's the abbreviation all the cool kids use) to my daughter with an explanation - I edited it (slightly) and printed it in five point font on pretty paper. Done. And really - it's pretty good. She loved it. It's so scary and also kind of fun. I really want to know all the ways other people are using it - share!