Week 50
View from the houseboats
Oddly, this was a good week. I didn’t exercise much, I had too many meetings, I worked in the evening, I slept poorly, bad things are happening in the lives of people I love. And yet. Some odd mix of timing, pressure, new team members, coffee and adrenaline meant breakthroughs in multiple projects where I’ve had long-time hangups. It’s so strange and yet so normal, the pairing of shadow and light. Hopefully this weekend I can self-invest a bit more (e.g. meditate, exercise, sleep) and re-set my work boundaries (e.g. no work nights and weekends). Both to allow my brain to recover and be more creative.
(Re)Learnings and observations
The Rabbit Listened: I’ve now bought this book for several friends with kids going through tough stuff. It describes all the different animals who think they have the right strategy for processing upset emotions. The rabbit, on the other hand, sidles up, sits, and waits. And then listens as the child goes through stages of everything the other animals suggested, but in in their own time and way. It’s very much the palliative approach, insofar as I understand it as a non-clinician. As I grew up, I learned to ignore my feelings and leap quickly to “fix” the problems and sad feelings in others. I am trying to unlearn this habit now. I’m still not great at it, but I’m increasingly seeing the power of giving people space to name their hurts. As my friends go through excruciatingly hard things, I’m trying to find ways to normalize (or at least say, you are not alone, I felt something like that too).
Anti-racism actions: Used the new AMA style guide on “The Reporting of Race and Ethnicity in Medical and Science Journals” in a review (that really needed it) and also recommended it on Twitter and in Geriatrics Works-in-Progress.
Gratitude & appreciation
The pandemic has surprisingly and fortuitously facilitated cross-country collaborations with folks at Mount Sinai and I’m really enjoying and benefitting from it.
Week 2 of a new team member, and I’m really enjoying having someone to work with and also co-managing with a colleague who I’m learning lots from as well.
Took a couple hours off Thursday afternoon to walk in the sun with Sam and actually talk. It’s amazing how being home together all day has trained us to give each other space (plus I’m in too many meetings) and then once Theo’s home it’s impossible to talk (because we must re-tell the plot to Frozen, Frozen 2, Zootopia, or his new favorite You Tube video of the octopus stealing crabs from the fisherman.
Great article about the myth of meritocracy in academia, and strategies for managing the impact of scarcity-mindset
Things I’m looking forward to
Actually snagging one of the elusive UCSF vaccine appointments, now that I’m deemed eligible.
As before, I invite you to share how you are doing and your small goals.
Hope you and your loved ones are safe and healthy.
Krista