Last week I recorded an Edit Your Life podcast episode with Asha Dornfest and mentioned that one byproduct of the pandemic is that I no longer do much in the way of advanced planning. Given the uncertainty of the pandemic and the way my life view is these days, advanced planning seems pointless. Instead, I focus on the one-week runway ahead of me. I mean, a lot can happen in a week. Case in point, in the past week:

 

1. I had the very best, most intentionally mundane birthday. I turned 48 and after a particularly intense client launch that culminated the day before my birthday, I scheduled a self-care day off work and all I wanted to do was be still and not touch my computer. My beloved husband and kids treated me like a queen. I was legit sad when my birthday was over the next day!

 

2. Unbeknownst to my video editor friend Dina, she delivered the final cut of my professional (super unconventional) reel the day after my birthday. I am in awe of her creative talent. Truly in awe.

 

3. I spoke on two Mom 2.0 Summit panels; one on the state of work and parenting, and a second on how to podcast.

 

4. I watched my daughter Laurel and her teammates revel in a pretty magical soccer Senior Night.

 

5. I logged a shitload of hours on Zoom for work. So many hours. OMG.

 

6. My ninth CNN piece was published. It still blows my mind that my goal for 2021 was to attain one major media byline. So far, I have written sixteen.

 

7. This past weekend was pretty significant in that I was away from my family for overnight travel for the first time since November 2019. OMG that is a really long stretch for someone who used to be on the road a ton for work. The above photo is an unfiltered, makeup- and-shower free selfie up amidst the trees. 

 

8. While I was on my way home from said weekend escape, I learned that two things exploded in my absence: our hot water heater and my dog's butt. (As of this writing, the hot water heater is fixed; James the poodle is still on the mend.)

 

9. I helped Laurel make progress on her college applications. I will be super excited when we are done with the applications.

 

10. I marathon sprinted through various activities for Violet. One thing that has not changed during the pandemic is my inability to be totally on top of said activities.

 

11. I played tennis with Jon three times in a week, which is unheard of given our schedules + the rain the last several months. He's my favorite person and tennis is my favorite physical activity. There's just so. much. laughing.

 

Despite the chaos of life, I am feeling incredibly grateful. For the gifts and struggles of the past week. For the gifts and struggles that are sure to come.  

 

And speaking of things to come and the week ahead, on Wednesday October 20 I am speaking on how to navigate re-entry stress for the wonderful organization SPARK Kindness. The event is free and the organizers are so thoughtful and wonderful. I hope you will join me. I promise I won't talk about dog diarrhea.