Week 18
View from the houseboats
We are more or less fine. Theo needs a lot of forewarning and positive reinforcement to go to school (it’s possible that he’s been sent in with a few chocolate chips to eat enroute and I’ve picked him up a few days with a popsicle in a bag with icepacks). He comes home with interesting stories and seems to have enjoyed having been at school and having friends to play with, even though he doesn’t want to go back the next day. Sam has been very patient and good at meeting Theo’s emotional needs this week; I’ve been less effective at it. Thank goodness for good partners. As I mentioned last week, I’ve been biking a lot more. Over the weekend that led to a full sneaker tsnumai wave of grief, and luckily Sam and Theo let me spend an afternoon alone. It still took a few days for things to even out again – the triggers were close to the surface for much of the week. All totally normal stuff, it just takes up time and energy.
(Re)Learnings and observations
About bravery: As I mentioned, I’ve been spending time in the last few weeks thinking about what I need or want and what can change in the coming year. I actually wrote some of this down and told two different mentors about changes I’d like to make. This was nervewracking and went better than I thought.
Peeling back the layers: One mentor recently suggested spending time next meeting reviewing what’s occupying space in my mind these days. Instead of writing my usual to-do list I started writing down the real internal narrative – wow, was it eye-opening. Much more negative self-talk than I was aware of – which explains why “positive feedback” was on my “want” list for . So I’ve added “practice new internal narrative about projects behind schedule” on my career development goals for 2020-2021.
Re-evaluating learning styles: I prioritized exercise on Wednesday and so joined Geriatrics WIP late. I listened with video and phone muted while I got ready for the day. I discovered that listening like it was a podcast helped me learn from it. In contrast, on Zoom calls these days I’m often either trying to figure out what/how to contribute as faculty or multitasking because there is never enough time in the day.
Giving and receiving feedback: As much as we might wish that academia isn’t hierarchical…it still is and that infects the way we think despite best efforts otherwise. Though we may think of ourselves as lifelong learners, our position shifts to increasingly less junior positions over time. I’ve been mulling over how sometimes we get in the habit of trying to prove we belong in a room or to emphasize why we’re an expert or to be teaching
Intent vs. impact: I heard a great line on a recent Hysteria podcast (all women, often about reproductive justice and politics) about a method for gently checking on comments that seem…problematic…by asking something along the lines of “Just so you know, this is how I interpreted what you just said …Is that what you intended?” (minute 39 if you want to get the non-paraphrased version). I think this is a great idea to use.
Gratitude & appreciation:
I did more house re-organization and cleaning this weekend – decluttering some spaces, getting rid of some stuff that needed to be donated, re-locating some objects. Mentally felt great and I had ice for my foot afterwards.
I got myself an orange plaid skirt with pockets with a long-forgotten gift card and its very comfy and happy amid the July fog
As I write part of this I can see a seal from my window!
Things I’m looking forward to
I am investing in a new work-from home desk since it will be a year or more before I am routinely working in an office again. Now that I’ve been working more hours (and sitting in more meetings) my body objected to the prior setup. Can’t wait til it comes in a few weeks.
Things we made
More yogurt
More rosemary sourdough crackers (about to come out of the oven!)
Update on goals from last week
Code another 2 prion transcripts: I did ½ a transcript Thursday night – hopefully more Friday
Create new table shells for prion manuscript: Maybe Friday?
Find new target journal for paper after second desk reject – submitted to new journal, desk rejected (#4), submitted to new journal (#5), prepped for #6.
Goals for next week: Note: I need to start putting these goals on my working to-do list and also sharing both self-care and professional-care goals:
Update NHATS manuscript draft with new data
Journal twice
Remember to actually ask mentees how I can mentor them better, or things that they appreciate when other mentors do
As in past weeks, I invite you to report in on your wellbeing, share 1-2 small goals you are hoping to work on next week (especially related to our collaborations, if we have one), and report in on your progress from last week's goals.
Thinking of you and hoping you and your loved ones stay healthy and safe.
Krista