Restarting as many times as necessary
On an imperfect January
The first two work weeks of the year included an unpredictable work schedule, navigating grief among my friend group and a winter storm. It’s been a reminder that you can plan as much as you want, but a part of life is possessing an ability to pivot without falling apart. This is a skill that I’m still honing, to be honest. Having my schedule deviate can often feel like a personal attack. I’m type A and a person who needs routine to circumvent a forgetful brain.
Like many people, I’ve hoped to use January as a reset for many of the habits I want to carry throughout the rest of the year:
Executing both my morning and nighttime routines to improve my sleep health and daily productivity
Incorporating more movement in each day
In many ways, though, the first few weeks back to work in the new year have felt like I’m flying blindly in an attempt to get through my to do list and make it to the weekend where I can recharge. I’m sure a lot of people in journalism, media, entertainment and other stressful jobs feel this way. I’m determined to learn to cope in healthier ways this year.
Recently, though, I’ve realized that sometimes coping means accepting the reality and unpredictability of life, and letting go of the need to control every little detail and of each day.
One hyper-fixation: The pure joy I feel screaming “Nuevayol” along with Bad Bunny as the beat drops. I do not speak Spanish, but there is a cultural pride and grief on display throughout DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS that immediately felt familiar to me. (My best friend recently wrote about the album and grief, and a continued pride for home, even if that home has started to look a bit different).
One Productive Tip: Tax season is approaching. Again. Each year I create a Google Drive folder where I can keep track of all of my 1099s and tax documents as they start to arrive. I usually download my annual income report by client from my invoicing system Wave and turn it into a spreadsheet. This allows me to track who I need a 1099 from and to mark it off once I’ve received it.
Around the Web
A Vox feature on the perils of “glow-up” culture
A depressing look at the unethical practices going on with real estate in LA amid the wildfires (And a blunt reminder from me that many of America’s beloved industries and institutions are routinely committing crippling acts of violence that should be addressed as such.)
A series of articles from organizers and reporters about the narratives that went unheard during last year’s election.
Remembering A Soul Man: The late Sam Moore of Sam & Dave dies at 89
Doreen St. Félix on Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni and #MeToo:
The late twenty-tens genre of #MeToo reportage cannot thrive on today’s volatile Internet. Information is misinformation and vice versa. Victims are offenders and offenders are victims. The word that comes up again and again in all the Internet litigation of Lively v. Baldoni is “narrative.” Abuse seems to be far from anyone’s mind. What matters is which side’s story is better suited to the politics of our time.
Felt this piece deeply. I've also been working on daily routines & how to pivot when life starts life-ing. It's a process to be rooted and flexible.