Writing the book got me thinking about the power of the word. Every word in the manuscript met a very specific purpose. It was simultaneously exhausting and empowering. It also got me thinking about the purpose of this website which evolved from a basic blog to a major packing and travel resource. What I did around packing is what I want to do for other topics, in a myriad of ways. Not just blog posts, but in interviews, newsletters, guides, and in different types of media.
I want this site to be much more than a place to learn how to pack better. I want this to be the ultimate destination for women wanting to live better and improve every aspect of their life. In my dreams, Hitha On The Go is a website on the ‘Best Websites for Women’ lists by Forbes, Refinery29, and so on.
CONTENT
If you had told me 3 years ago that packing would be this blog’s biggest vertical, I wouldn’t have believed it.
But it is! And while I’m as passionate about packing and travel today as I was years ago, it’s become a smaller part of my life. These days, my life is more focused on juggling my startup, this website and writing, and my family. And in the midst of the circus act that is my life, I realized just how important routines are.
Routines for work. Routines to start and end my day. Routines to provide much-needed self care for myself.
Routines help keep me sane, productive, and happy. And it’s not just me – every person I’ve talked to that seemingly as their s*%t together have routines to keep them on track.
Like I did with travel (En Route With and Travel Tips), I want to share the best routines of people I admire and strategies on how to create them for yourself. I’ll be launching this vertical in the coming weeks, with career development content coming this summer.
I’ll be maintaining the 3 posts a week schedule from here on out. Tuesdays will be general lifestyle and outfit post days, and Thursdays will be travel and packing days. Wednesdays will be focused on routines, life hacks, and career.
One of my goals for the year is to cultivate a habit of philanthropy. One of the ways I’ll be doing this is by featuring a nonprofit that I love every month through a post and social media. I’ll match all the donations you make (via Bridge2Act) every month, up to $500. I hope you’ll join me in pledging to give back more this year.
NEWSLETTER
I had a monthly newsletter that all but died last year. Like with my blog posts, I never wanted to send a newsletter unless I had a reason to do so. Moving forward, newsletters will be sent every other Thursday with must-read links, a roundup of my current blog posts, and some type of exclusive content (early access to a future post, a peek at my latest guide, etc). If you’d like to sign up, you can do so here or in the sign up box at the bottom of this post.
GUIDES
In preparation of the book’s launch, the paid packing guides will no longer be available by February. The prices have also been reduced by 50%, so snag one if you’ve wanted to purchase one! The free packing lists will still be available, and I’ll be adding new ones covering routines, career, and motherhood over the course of the year.
SHOP
Many of you have asked for my recommendations for luggage, travel accessories, books, and clothes. You’ll be able to access them all through my shop page (currently just my favorite travel items, but I’m slowly adding to over the course of the month). I’ve hunted for the best prices of these items and included a full description on why I love them so much.
SOCIAL MEDIA
I’m making a bigger effort on engaging with my various social media accounts with specific content for each platform. Twitter has been and will continue to be the place where I’m my most random and unfiltered – from football games, presidential debates, award shows, and random things that I observe or see. Facebook will be where I share the latest post, sales on my favorite items, and pose questions on future content or things you’d like to see in this space. Instagram will show the pretty elements of my life, as well as giveaways. I have some amazing prizes lined up for you all to thank you for your continued support. Snapchat, like Twitter, is my most raw and unfiltered self. It’s also the only place I post pictures or videos of Rho with any kind of regularlity, so if cute babies are your think, follow me there.
If you’d like, follow me by clicking on the following: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Snapchat (username is hithapal)
NEW MEDIA
I want to diversify Hitha On The Go beyond the written word. I’m still debating between a podcast or a YouTube channel, but the goal is to share my insight and that of other amazing people to help you live your best life. I’m still weighing my options between both, but will keep you posted on how it’s developing. I’m expecting to launch it sometime by fall 2016.
Again, thank you SO, so much for your continued friendship and support over the past 6.5 years. When I started this blog on a whim in 2009, I could not imagine how it would change my career and life so drastically. I don’t take it for granted, and am so grateful to have you here.
If you have any comments, advice, things you want to see, etc., please leave a comment below or shoot me a message! I would love to hear from you.
