Over two years after reflecting on the loneliness of convenience, I finally took action—I joined my local Y. It’s pricier than I’d hoped, but for now, it’s a cost I’m willing to pay for a reason to leave the house and be around actual people on a daily basis.

Finished Reading: All the Colors of the Dark by Chris Whitaker 📚

I’ve been tapped to cohost our org’s Digital and Design quarterly meeting in a few weeks. One of the responsibilities is to come up with an interactive, engaging activity to encourage participation and team connection. What have you experienced in a large virtual meeting setting that you enjoyed?

It’s a shame that it often takes a tragedy, trial, or hardship for us to recognize what’s truly unnecessary in our lives.

Quote from the book, A Paradise Built in Hell

I started supplementing a small dose of melatonin a few weeks ago and in addition to improving my sleep I’ve also noticed the increase in my dream activity. Every single night I’m having a myriad of dreams. Hopefully that’s an indication that I’m sleeping pretty deeply. 🛏️😴

Unfortunately I realized too late that the Haagen-Dazs ice cream container was 2.5 servings and not a single serving. I guess I just assumed. Oops. 😬 🍨

Annie Dillard:

How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour, and that one, is what we are doing. A schedule defends from chaos and whim. It is a net for catching days. It is a scaffolding on which a worker can stand and labor with both hands at sections of time.

This idea (and reality) has been one of the most challenging to impart to my kids as I’ve tried to equip them for their post-high school, young adult lives. They seem to be anti-planning/scheduling.

Spending two hours on the phone with the helpdesk to fix authentication issues blocking my access to work apps? Peak Monday energy. 🔒📞😩

Aditi Nerurkar, MD:

It’s easy to feel isolated or prefer to be alone when you’re stressed. But connecting with others from time to time can help decrease your stress, even if you’re an introvert.

It’s during these times that it is best to act and make decisions based on what you know rather than what you feel. Not always easy though. Especially when you’re in the thick of it. I’m trying to be more mindful and intentional about this since I know my default is to withdraw and isolate.

It’s tough when someone you care about needs comfort, support, and encouragement, but you’re too unwell to get out of bed and be there for them.