The month of July was a work detox for me. I was open to many things, but not to work. I played the Wordle every day. There were two words I did not get, which I like to think is because I was in an utterly relaxed state of mind.
How else can I possibly explain a final guess of “tiddy”?
Here’s some of what I did not do in July:
Open a Google doc or Google spreadsheet.
Adjust my Calendly times to get meetings scheduled.
Put on my computer glasses to analyze data in SPSS.
Upload files to Dropbox or OneDrive and fuss around with sharing and password settings.
Log in to SurveyMonkey to check, check, and recheck responses, completion rates, wording, response option weights, etc.
Compose emails late, late at night, because I ran out of minutes in the hours of 9 am to 8p.
Here’s some of what I did do:
Continued realigning my neck and spine with three adjustment visits to the chiropractor.
Got my hair done, so overdue!
Enjoyed quality time visiting my parents in Cleveland.
Enjoyed quality time with my husband and kids, including one who is home from college for the summer and one who has graduated college and popped in for a family visit.
Hosted additional out-of-town family for 4th of July weekend — made lots of fresh fruit kabobs to keep everyone’s sugar levels up.
Weeded the flower beds in the yard - FINALLY!
Got my steps. At the beginning of July, my evidence-based goal for good health was 10K, but near the end of the month, a new study was published and I’ve been able to reallocate about 3,000 steps worth of stepping time to other activities.
Celebrated my nephew’s high school graduation with family and friends — he worked hard to earn himself a full-ride and collegiate roster spot as a student athlete.
Bought fresh veggies at the local farmer’s market after eating breakfast sandwiches at Good Grief!
Planted a container herb garden on the patio with lavender, basil, dill, and rosemary.
Took the EV for first-fossil-fuel-free maintenance appointment — essentially a tire rotation and car wash.
Drove EV on third road trip to North East, Maryland — about 800+ miles round trip — for a lacrosse tournament called The Crab Cake, and also, of course, entrees, sandwiches, and appetizers made of crab cake.
Renewed registration for EV at the BMV, and while I was there, got my driver’s license updated to be REAL ID compliant.
Took Odin to the vet.
Took myself to my PPO office for annual physical examination.
Took myself to the dentist for preventative exam and cleaning.
Took myself to the lab for a blood draw and complete metabolic screening. Results are in and most, but not all, numbers are great. I have continued wellness work to do in August.
Took boxes and boxes and bags of home goods to the Goodwill for resale.
Gifted a microscope, pair of Tom’s shoes, and a LOUD is GOOD long-sleeved tee to neighbors via my local Buy Nothing group.
Made special cookies for special people.
Went thrifting with my daughter.
Catalyzed the demolition and redesign of first floor laundry room, unstacked the washer and dryer to generate flat surface space, and found the cutest little 24-inch fireclay farmhouse sink on sale for an under-our-budget price.
Tried new recipes, including oak-smoked steak with chimichurri, charred broccoli tossed with arugula, and almond raspberry cheesecake bars for family birthday celebration.
Used two gift cards that have been sitting on my desk for MONTHS. With one of them, I actually bought myself a gift!
Just like all the other days, what tomorrow will bring is mostly unknowable. I am pretty sure the sun will rise. I feel confident that change will be a constant.
In many directions that I look, I see warning signs — horrible damage, systems collapse that is seemingly headed for worse. In other directions I see whole, intact, brilliant, and beautiful aspects of culture, community, and humanity.
I am exploring for new roles — and I am recharged and ready to show up. I feel ever-hopeful about shaping new possibilities for using data to guide action. Because action, mine and yours, should be part of the balance and the rhythm of the days to come. In this spirit, I am open to work.
I am also open to Zoom meetings or phone calls with friends, colleagues, and collaborators here: https://calendly.com/smw-cpp/meet-with-sharon
