#5SmartReads - February 20, 2023

Zara Hanawalt is a freelance journalist covering parenting, women's health, culture, and more. She has written for outlets like Parents, Elle, Shape, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, Glamour, and more. Zara is a mom to four-year-old twins and a passionate advocate for maternal rights and health.

Is Therapy-Speaking Ruining Our Relationships? (Refinery 29)

For me, the increasing prevalence of therapy-speak in day-to-day conversations feels like too much of a good thing.

Maybe this is a hot take, but it seems to me that we've gotten too comfortable using terms like "gaslight" or "narcissist" or even "toxic". It's so important that we evaluate the health of our relationships with this new set of standards in place, but it's also important that we remember we can't become experts in human behavior by watching a few TikToks.

This story does a great job of nailing the nuance of the issue.

Jacinda Ardern Showed Moms How To Advocate For Themselves (Elle)

The brilliant Reshma Saujani has such an informed, valuable take on all issues related to motherhood. I love this essay she penned on Jacinda Ardern's decision to step down as New Zealand's prime minister.

Ardern's move is powerful, and I'm grateful that we are finally coming around to the idea that there's more than one way to be a powerful woman. By leaning into family life, Ardern is unapologetically doing what serves her best. And that's inspiring.

Tinned Fish Could Be The Next Grocery Item To Run Out. Blame TikTok (TIME)

I've never tried tinned seafood, and admittedly, I've never really sought it out when grocery shopping. And then TikTok gave it a rebrand: Creators like Danielle Matzon and Ali Hooke officially made tinned seafood a major food trend.

It's a testament to the power of TikTok and its ability to turn users on to new foods — and drive major sales. Consider me influenced.

Why Do We Get Our Best Ideas In The Shower (Washington Post)

I have always, always done my best thinking in the shower. Apparently I'm not alone in that.

This article unpacks the creativity that comes when people are not focusing on work. While "mind-wandering" has always had a negative reputation, this read breaks down how it may actually help people unlock some of their best ideas. We're encouraged to think of it as "mind-wondering" instead, and lean into those playful, creative thoughts.

Hustle Culture Harms Women Of Color The Most (Marie Claire)

The pandemic forced us to take a good look at hustle culture and evaluate what it's really doing to us...but unfortunately, we haven't yet completely dismantled it.

This read tackles all the ways in which hustle culture harms women of color the most, and it's spot on. Systemic issues in the workforce are real. Hustle culture places blame we should be directing towards those systemic inequities and puts it on women, especially women of color, for not achieving or hustling 24/7.