Week 35
View from the houseboats
On the one hand, I am so relieved by the latest promising vaccine trial reports. On the other hand, the rapidly escalating cases are … intimidating and predicted. We were stuck in our own ridiculous public health ethics/epidemiology exam question with an indirect potential COVID exposure that led us to letting preschool know, who referred their decision to the UCSF COVID task force (since it’s a UCSF preschool), who told us to keep Theo home until we got the test results of the person Sam interacted with (masked). Despite the contact getting a test on Saturday morning, we did not get results until Wednesday afternoon. Unfortunately, my work week was slammed with meetings and while everyone was very kind about Theo joining, stress levels have been very high, especially for my spouse.
Gratitude/appreciation
Surprise care package from a friend that included tea, a coronavirus coloring book that Theo and I immediately started (because he can’t read the swear words), and this great kids book relevant to adult academic work: What do you do with an idea?
My foot is finally well enough for some short runs (from July plantar fasciitis), though I’m limiting myself to 2 miles right now
Friends who listened to me practice my job talk
People are documenting the unequal effects of the pandemic on scientists – having a dependent age 0-5 is associated with 17% decrease in research time in April…or this week I’d say a 50% decrease.
(Re)Learnings and observations
Broader values of job talks: Part of me is frustrated at how much time I’ve spent on this job talk since August. On the other hand, I’m trying to remind myself that it’s led to important big-picture thinking (and emotional processing) about what I’ve done over these few years (and why) and what I want to do next.
On the important of white space: Negative space in art, white space in grant writing – it’s important to give the brain spaces to rest. I’m glad I’ve blocked off my calendar for a week of no meetings every 3-6 weeks going forward for a week – it feels selfish, but I’m told this is also called “healthy boundaries”. I probably ended up working 5 of the 8 days I blocked off for PTO last week, but I had flexibility to work or not work according to what I needed. So, I had days to grieve and hike and bike, and days to work on high-importance and urgent activities. The quality of my work and thinking has been a lot higher for giving myself more freedom and space to feel feelings as needed, whereas I unconsciously compartmentalize more when I have a ton of meetings.
Things I’m looking forward to
Being able to run more miles
I welcome responses of any length, including phrases that report in on your wellbeing and share a small goal.
Thinking of you and hoping you and your loved ones stay healthy and safe.
Krista