Happy September and un-official start of fall to all who celebrate :)
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Weekly Gratitude
New Jersey: there’s a younger version of me rolling her eyes at this, but I am grateful for this tiny state and the people in it
Soda Stream: LIFE. CHANGER. My wallet is much happier now that I’m not buying 2-3 cases of sparkling water a week
Lesson of the Week
As someone who’s spent years in therapy, I’ve never scoffed at routines. I’ve known for a long time that having structure keeps me on track and keeps the lure of depression at bay. But lately I’ve realized that my routines are truly an integral part of my wellbeing and when we intentionally create routines, we shape a better life for ourselves.
Of course we all settle into routines naturally; the rhythm of waking up, brushing our teeth and so on. And there are aspects of routines that we don’t get to choose, like starting work at 9:00 AM and ending at 5:30 PM. And on top of that, there are things we have to do, speaking biologically. Sleep, eat, move our bodies. Somehow, the 24 hours of a day suddenly seem at capacity.
But if we look closer, really pull apart the hours, there’s more time than we realize. More choices than we know. And if we question why we do things in a certain order or way, more avenues for us to slowly cultivate a daily life for ourselves.
Here’s how it started for me:
I start work each day between 8:30 and 9:00 in the morning. I work from home most days and it’s easy to wake up around 8:00 and then sit down at my desk and work until the end of the day. A few months into this rhythm, I found myself feeling unfulfilled mentally and physically. I love my job, but going directly from waking up to looking at my computer for hours was putting me in a slump. So, I turned my focus to my mornings. I’m not an early bird, but I also recognized that there is valuable time before I start work. What if I got up closer to 7:00, spent 15 minutes doing an easy yoga flow, maybe journaled, and then started to get ready for work? I gave it a try, and I felt much more aligned.
So then I started looking at my work day. I don’t have total control, there’s always meetings and tasks that pop up, but I do get to dictate the general flow of my day. I asked myself what kind of work do I like to do in the mornings versus afternoons. I like to start my days with a little more admin work (emails, scheduling, etc) and move into deeper work (writing, researching, etc). With that in mind, I started to approach my tasks in that order. I also realized I wasn’t prioritizing enough movement, so I make sure to stand between 1:00 and 3:00 each afternoon, for about an hour.
Finally, I started to ask myself, what else do I want in a day? The answer came pretty immediately, creativity. So, after work I turn off my screens and do something creative. Sometimes it’s cooking, sometimes it’s painting or embroidering, sometimes it’s not any of those things. I try not to be on my screens as much, this is generally when I read too. This post-work routine, setting a specific time of day to be creative and a little unplugged, brought balance to my life.
These are some of the ways I’ve built routines with intention, with what I need and want in mind.
I’ve been reflecting on this because I’m about to begin my master’s program, which is based online and will require changes in my day to day. I’m excited about starting the program, but I also feel a sense of grief over these changes. Digging into that feeling, I’ve come to understand that by intentionally creating routines that work for my unique needs, I’ve created a way of life that feels sacred. I’m recognizing and honoring myself, while still pushing to be the best version of myself.
As we evolve, so too will our routines. Starting a new degree program is an evolution, and so my routines will evolve.
Some of the things I’ve asked myself, though maybe not so eloquently, are the following:
What do I need in a day?
Mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually
What do I crave in a day?
Are there times where I simply “do” because I’ve been told to, and not because I want or need to?
Where can I find more time?
What do I gravitate towards in the morning? Afternoon? Evening?
What does a balanced day look like? What is missing in my life from that picture?
What is a feasible change I can make?
I encourage you to think about some of these things and see if there’s a routine you can add intention to, maybe there’s something you can shift to meet a need. You deserve to be recognized in your routines!
Currently Consuming
Books: I promise this isn’t a Sarah J. Maas newsletter, but I do need to write about House of Earth and Blood… it’s very rare my thoughts on anything public health-y overlap with a fantasy book. BUT! I loved the general theme of stigma-free drug use in this book. First off - the line “There's nothing wrong with being a party girl. I don't get why the world thinks there is” - yes. Just yes! And the insistence of the main character that using drugs does not make someone a criminal or prove ill intent? I LOVED it. Now, of course, this is a nuanced conversation. But, I’ll sum it up by saying that an adult novel with neutral representation of drug use is rare, and I was happy to see a popular author incorporate it in a book.
Music: Once again on a Maggie Rogers kick (I’m a creature of habit…) but this time specifically telling you about “The Kill”!! It scratches an itch in my brain - it’s so good!
Substack: As a young American, as a public health professional, as just a person - the mass shooting in Georgia this week hit hard. These events always do. This post from Sharon McMahon, Guns are the Golden Calf, is a fantastic piece. Please give it a read.
Misc.: this has been a lighter round up of content, probably because I’ve been soaking in the late summer weather. GO OUTSIDE!!
Phrase of the Week
In these last few warm weeks, August by Taylor Swift will be on a lot. Just imagine all the lyrics here :)
Career Corner
The start of September means many things, but one of my favorites is back to school!
This year I get to indulge, as I’m starting a master’s program. In the spirit of school supplies, organization, and the pressure of academic validation, here are some of my pointers for college students soon to graduate and on the job hunt.
Above all else, learn not to take things personally. Job rejections most especially.
Use your university resources! You probably have a career center with a wealth of information, professors who want to see you succeed, and so many other potential mentors. Take advantage of it all!
Treat job applying like a classwork assignment - block time off in your calendar, set deadlines, etc. This keeps it manageable and helps to compartmentalize all the different things going on.
All of this you’ve probably heard before, but this helped me a lot in my final semester!
Thanks so much for being here! Did something stick out to you? Feel the need to share with someone in your life? Please do, I’ll even make it easy for you!!
As always, I appreciate you <3