Towards the end of November 2023, and as the year began to wind down, something became crystal clear to me: I was wasting a lot of time. I was too often reaching for my phone. I tried to do things—write, organize my expenses, bake/cook, read—while surfing the internet or streaming a movie or show on Prime Video. These were bad habits that I knew would impact my ability to do deep work, yet it became harder and harder to stop them. That led to another realization: I needed a ‘new’ way of being. [Read more…] about A New Year. A ‘New’ Way of Being
do what you love
It’s Not a Competition
Life is a journey, and it’s not always clear where we’re headed or why we’re moving in a particular direction. Sometimes it feels awkward, and we wonder when that period of awkwardness will end. I’m wondering that myself because it feels like I’m stuck in a funk—and all the world is passing by me or ahead of me. So, I remind myself: it’s not a competition. [Read more…] about It’s Not a Competition
Focus Deeply
When I quit my former job at the end of June, I really had no clue as to what I’d do next. But as I mentioned before, I ‘crashed’ due to the level of exhaustion that I experienced. The seven weeks I spent at home were both magical and frustrating. Magical because my schedule was open to whatever I wanted to do, which was mostly writing, running, and baking. It also became a period of extreme frustration because I’d lost my ability to focus deeply. [Read more…] about Focus Deeply
When Life Throws a Curveball
It happened overnight. That subtle shift from forty-nine to being half a century old. I didn’t make a big deal out of turning fifty. A few of us celebrated the occasion at Antler, a restaurant I’d been wanting to try for a while—and we weren’t disappointed. I had planned to kayak the morning of my birthday, but strong winds forced to me reschedule. The next day, though, I was out on the water and exploring the Humber River—all the while trying to dodge the curveball life was throwing at me. [Read more…] about When Life Throws a Curveball
What’s Wrong with Me?
What’s wrong with me? The question itself raises enough red flags that I already know people will be reaching out to ask if I’m okay. Let me reassure you all, first and foremost, that I’m fine. But in this post-pandemic world, I’m curious to know if others—especially introverts—might be experiencing the same thing: greater resistance to participating in social activities. [Read more…] about What’s Wrong with Me?