Last week, I flew to Mexico with every intention of doing a proper digital detox. No Slack. No email. Just ocean, mimosas, and a brand new novel.

But if you’ve ever tried to fully unplug while running a business you care deeply about, you’ll know how that went.

Instead of a full detox, I made a deal with myself: ten minutes a day. Just a quick check-in to make sure nothing was burning down.

On day one, I opened my email inbox, already bracing for urgency. Instead, I found something that shifted everything and reminded me why rest and gratitude aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re how we lead.

I almost cried into my SPF 30. Since that day, I’ve thought a lot about why that message hit me so hard.

Yes, it was validating. But more than that, it grounded me. It reminded me that the work I’m doing — this newsletter, the community, the convos in DMs and LinkedIn — actually matters. That it reaches people even when I’m not actively present.

And here’s the truth I’m finally learning to believe: Rest doesn’t mean disconnecting from impact.

In fact, rest is often what allows impact to deepen. I believe that is true for me, and that it’s true for all of you too.

In today’s edition, I want to explore why gratitude — the kind that sneaks up on you mid-vacation — isn’t just a feel-good moment. It’s a leadership tool. A reset button. A strategy for staying grounded, energized, and connected to the work that matters most.

Why Gratitude is Strategic

We don’t talk about it much, but product marketing leadership takes emotional labor. The holding of nuance. The behind-the-scenes coaching. The ability to absorb chaos and respond with clarity.

It’s no wonder so many PMMs end up feeling burnt out and unseen. The job asks a lot, and doesn’t always give much back.

But here’s where gratitude comes in. Not just the kind you feel, but the kind you express.

According to a study from Harvard Medical School, people who take time to reflect on what they’re grateful for consistently report feeling more optimistic, energized, and emotionally grounded. And research from UC Berkeley shows that gratitude can even rewire your brain, strengthening the parts that regulate stress, empathy, and decision-making.

In short: gratitude makes you a better leader.

Whether it’s a note from a colleague or a moment of quiet recognition for how far you’ve come — that stuff compounds (and I’m a BIG believer in compounding). It refuels you in ways no productivity hack ever could.

Rest is Part of the Job

This week, I’ve been thinking a lot about how we make our impact sustainable.

Most PMM leaders I know are great at giving. We support teams, run the launch, rework the deck, answer the CEO’s late night call. But what we often forget to build into our strategy is the time to receive. To rest. To reflect. To feel.

So here’s your permission slip (not that you need it):

• Book the trip.

• Start the gratitude journal.

• Text the friend who helped you stay sane last quarter.

• Send the thank-you note you’ve been meaning to send.

• Or hey — reply to this email and tell me what you’re celebrating right now so I can cheer you on.

Not just because it’s important to be vulnerable (it is). But because it’s fuel.

And because this job is too big to carry alone.

Life Update 💍

One more thing I’m grateful for… I got engaged! Somewhere between the tacos and the tequila, Kosta popped the question and I said yes.

Thank you for being part of a community that makes my work so meaningful — and that gives me the space to live my best life while doing it.

So if you’ve been heads-down lately, consider this your reminder: it’s okay to pause. To celebrate. To step away. Not as an escape from your impact, but as part of how you sustain it.

Work is part of your life. But it’s not the point of your life (my ability to write this is a result of years of Type A deprogramming).

You are allowed to rest. You are allowed to feel proud. You are allowed to let joy in.

So I’ll leave you with one final push. What’s something — or someone — you’re grateful for this week? If you’re up for it, take space to celebrate it.

CAMPER ESSENTIALS

📓 Supplies: Ready to practice gratitude? Grab a copy of The Five Minute Journal or just jot down on “tiny win” per day in your Notes app.

📬 Gifts: Remember paper mail? Send a real thank you card to a few special people in your life. Tools like Postable will even mail it for you, no stamps required.

🍕 Food: Kosta and I celebrated with steak and cabernet at our fave spot in Vancouver, Elisa. If you’re ever in town: go.

Wishing you a week of gratitude,