Hitha Palepu

New York

Author of #WereSpeakingBook. Curator of #5SmartReads. Lover of politics, the @Eagles, books, and @tacobell. Wife and mom of 2 rascals.

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Articles

hitting the reset button

3 days ago | hitha.substack.com | Hitha Palepu

Last week was a full one. It was full of connection, getting out of my comfort zone, and being out and ‘on’ more than I had in over a year. This week was a full one, but in a polar opposite way. After a brief anxiety spell on Sunday, I focused on recharging my internal battery beyond my usual routines. I slept way too late and woke up too early to finish ’s forthcoming book (smart, salacious, and un-put-downable).
why I went on a GLP-1

5 days ago | hitha.substack.com | Hitha Palepu

I want to be transparent about this process, and also protect myself in sharing more personal updates, especially ones that feel vulnerable. These essays will be behind the paywall, which is as low as Substack will allow me to go (I’m also offering a special lifetime discount, if you upgrade now). Over the past year, I worked really hard on building a healthy foundation to address some health concerns and to simply feel better. In November 2023, I felt like garbage.
a good week

1 week ago | hitha.substack.com | Hitha Palepu

This week was a full one - and an especially social one. It was my husband’s birthday on Monday, and we celebrated by seeing Zarna Garg and having one of the best dinners at Bungalow. I filled my cup with a lot of friend time (walks, rooftop hangs, coffee dates, a dinner at Leonatta for the launch of Localoka tequila). I spent Gentle Wednesday at the Frick Collection (my first visit, definitely not my last).
the plan - may 2025

1 week ago | hitha.substack.com | Hitha Palepu

April turned out to be my most consistent month of the year - and one of the most peaceful. A big part of this was starting a GLP-1, which I’m going to share more about in a separate post. The medication felt like a missing puzzle piece for my health (surprisingly, my mental health most of all), and was the key to sticking to April’s plan.
what kids deserve

2 weeks ago | hitha.substack.com | Hitha Palepu

#5SmartReads is a Webby-honored weekly news digest that amplifies underreported news and underrepresented perspectives. My goal is to help you stay informed without being overwhelmed, and to embrace nuance and reflection over picking a side. New Mexico made childcare free. It lifted 120,000 people above the poverty line (The Guardian)It's been 2 years since I shared how New Mexico is leading the country on state funded childcare.
my 'not things' wish list

2 weeks ago | hitha.substack.com | Hitha Palepu

A few announcements before we jump into this vibes-not-things wish list:My bracelet collaboration with Names for Good is live, and every purchase supports New Morning, which helps South Carolinians receive contraceptive healthcare at low or no cost. If you’re in NYC, I’ll be doing 1:1 mentoring sessions as a part of MM.LaFleur’s Career Compass weekend. If you’re feeling stuck, lost, or need some help in owning all your hyphens, I’d love to meet and help you.
pro-quality of life > pronatalism

3 weeks ago | hitha.substack.com | Hitha Palepu

It pains me to say this, but the current administration’s messaging playbook is disturbingly effective (and well-financed, but that’s another topic for another day). Their goal isn’t to inform. It’s to activate and mobilize around people’s honest fears. Of course we want to make America healthy again. So we banned Red Dye 3. Of course we want opportunities to stable, well paying jobs. So we’re bringing manufacturing back to the United States. Of course we want families to live with dignity and safety.
in defense of the earnest girl

3 weeks ago | hitha.substack.com | Hitha Palepu

You definitely know an earnest girl (or several of them). You may even be one. It was Anne Hathaway’s entire awards season where she was honored for her performance in Les Misérables (only to be unnecessarily mocked and piled on). It’s when Hillary Clinton, Nikki Haley, and Kamala Harris showed up, prepared and poised, to debate Donald Trump (and won on every policy measure), and were called ‘know it alls’ (or worse). It’s Taylor Swift, simply existing.
the economy, emergency departments, and two small things to do for yourself

4 weeks ago | hitha.substack.com | Hitha Palepu |Elizabeth Holmes |Suleika Jaouad

#5SmartReads is a Webby-honored weekly news digest that amplifies underreported news and underrepresented perspectives. My goal is to help you stay informed without being overwhelmed, and to embrace nuance and reflection over picking a side. What Trump’s Tariffs Mean for One Small Business ()Politics doesn’t usually come up in the parties I attend. But last week, as we gathered to celebrate Mom Curious’ fourth season, tariffs were the main subject of conversation.
what are your joy triggers?

1 month ago | hitha.substack.com | Hitha Palepu

What is a joy trigger? Coined by Anne-Laure Le Cunff, they are “little moments of joy have the power to instantly transform your mood.” Her essay on joy triggers is a must-read, as is her new book. A joy trigger can be a specific song, that first sip of a cup of coffee, the need to hug a book that you just finished and loved. For me, they’ve been a bit of a lifeline when I feel like I’m getting pulled down into the noise of the news or mentally spiraling about work or family matters.