What brings me joy: little things at the moment, like playing with my dog and spending time in nature.
What I’m navigating: I’m realizing now what a big question this is 🤣 as I’m always navigating so many different things. The biggest one, I’ll be honest: wanting to create a successful business. It’s not easy!
What brings me joy: having no obligations and all the time I require so I can drink tea and enjoy Bach.
Right now I am navigating all the complex responsibilities of adulthood and going through burnout. It can be tough to feel like the world is all on your shoulders.
Something that brings me joy at the moment is reading! I recently finished The Dispossessed, which was fantastic, and I'm now reading Guapa by Saleem Haddad and If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin. Right now, I'm navigating life post-PhD and feeling a little lost in the woods. I'm not sure what to do or really even where to start now- both in terms of how to spend my time and, importantly, finding work that will be fulfilling and not leave me a burntout husk (as the PhD did).
I've been having a hard time connecting with books recently - hearing you talk about books you love is encouraging. I know I will find my way back to reading. Thank you for that!
Have you been finding fun cafes and libraries to work from?
Lost in the woods... I get that! The image /metaphor sparks all sorts of questions for me like:
- What do you enjoy about being in the woods?
- How would you like to spend your time in the woods? Out and through as quickly as possible? Find a clearing? Find a path? Look around in awe? ...
Autumn is always a big reading and writing season for me! And yes! I’ve explored a few different cafes in the city, and I’m currently sitting in a library that is an old favorite.
I love the questions regarding being lost in the woods! Thinking about your questions actually makes me feel a lot better about this feeling. I love taking long walks in the woods, so maybe that’s what I should think of this time as- it’s exploratory and wandering, maybe, but without the negative associations around being “lost”.
To that I'd offer: or both? Wandering / exploring can co-exist with a feeling of being lost. 🧡 I hope you discover whatever it is that you need to find on your metaphorical walk through the woods!
I like this!! I think my autistic brain really struggles with the unknown at times. But also, I have more time than I ever have before to pursue writing projects entirely of my own choosing. I’m hoping that these can lead somewhere I didn’t expect. I also don’t want to look back on this time once I am working full-time again and realize that I didn’t appreciate it!
I feel this. It’s hard to hold the complexity of all of that sometimes. It’s an exciting time to appreciate life and arrive at unexpected places and also the lack of clarity can feel so unsettling for our brains!
Thank you!! Really appreciate the encouragment/engagement, really making me feel better and giving me a bit of a different way to think about this time!
What brings me joy: writing, traveling (especially road trips), snuggling with my dog and partner, walking in the sunshine, a delicious cup of black coffee, finding treasures at second-hand stores
What I'm navigating: self love and a small cheese pizza 🤣 I'm also building relationships and expanding my ability to be seen online
This sounds like a description of a very rich life - wonderful! Not without its challenges of course, but “full”. Thank you for saying hi and sharing something about yourself!
Thank you for sharing! I heard a term the other day which was a nice reframe of "empty nester" but now I can't think of it. That's a big transition to navigate I'm sure!
Fall is my favorite season. I hope you will write some reflection prompts about it :) I know I could use it!
That's a big endeavor! Are you able to navigate it with fun and playfulness or does it feel more like you're lost at sea in a big storm? (can you tell I have a nautical theme in my mind now?)
Thanks for contributing! Not sure what happened with the poll - feel free to share your vote here or in a message if you like.
I'm trying to redefine how I see things... That helps. But I still feel lost at sea. Trying to stay the course through the storms. It's all a person can do. 😊
🧡! That's a lot to manage and navigate - I see you! Be gentle with yourself when you can.
Searching for (and maintaining!) connections can be so hard for us - I hope you're feeling connected even with small interactions when you do have capacity.
Is it the summarizing for others or the pulling out of insights and nuggets that you love? Or both /somethjng else? I love the idea of not only reading something but then creating something else from it - I think it would change the way I read.
…Which is related to what you’re navigating! Not only am I falling behind (what does that even mean?) but more importantly, I’ve noticed I skim more, and don’t take the time to fully read, which I’m not loving.
I’d love to hear when you come up with a solution to make time and to prioritize the ones you do want to read.
What brings me joy: little things at the moment, like playing with my dog and spending time in nature.
What I’m navigating: I’m realizing now what a big question this is 🤣 as I’m always navigating so many different things. The biggest one, I’ll be honest: wanting to create a successful business. It’s not easy!
Hi!
What brings me joy: having no obligations and all the time I require so I can drink tea and enjoy Bach.
Right now I am navigating all the complex responsibilities of adulthood and going through burnout. It can be tough to feel like the world is all on your shoulders.
Hi Mitch! Thank you for sharing! Burnout is no fun. I’m glad you have Bach to lighten that load on your shoulders a little bit.
You are welcome :)
Yes.
Something that brings me joy at the moment is reading! I recently finished The Dispossessed, which was fantastic, and I'm now reading Guapa by Saleem Haddad and If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin. Right now, I'm navigating life post-PhD and feeling a little lost in the woods. I'm not sure what to do or really even where to start now- both in terms of how to spend my time and, importantly, finding work that will be fulfilling and not leave me a burntout husk (as the PhD did).
I've been having a hard time connecting with books recently - hearing you talk about books you love is encouraging. I know I will find my way back to reading. Thank you for that!
Have you been finding fun cafes and libraries to work from?
Lost in the woods... I get that! The image /metaphor sparks all sorts of questions for me like:
- What do you enjoy about being in the woods?
- How would you like to spend your time in the woods? Out and through as quickly as possible? Find a clearing? Find a path? Look around in awe? ...
- What kind of forest is it?
Sorry, couldn't help it :)
Autumn is always a big reading and writing season for me! And yes! I’ve explored a few different cafes in the city, and I’m currently sitting in a library that is an old favorite.
I love the questions regarding being lost in the woods! Thinking about your questions actually makes me feel a lot better about this feeling. I love taking long walks in the woods, so maybe that’s what I should think of this time as- it’s exploratory and wandering, maybe, but without the negative associations around being “lost”.
To that I'd offer: or both? Wandering / exploring can co-exist with a feeling of being lost. 🧡 I hope you discover whatever it is that you need to find on your metaphorical walk through the woods!
I like this!! I think my autistic brain really struggles with the unknown at times. But also, I have more time than I ever have before to pursue writing projects entirely of my own choosing. I’m hoping that these can lead somewhere I didn’t expect. I also don’t want to look back on this time once I am working full-time again and realize that I didn’t appreciate it!
I feel this. It’s hard to hold the complexity of all of that sometimes. It’s an exciting time to appreciate life and arrive at unexpected places and also the lack of clarity can feel so unsettling for our brains!
You got this!
Thank you!! Really appreciate the encouragment/engagement, really making me feel better and giving me a bit of a different way to think about this time!
What brings me joy: writing, traveling (especially road trips), snuggling with my dog and partner, walking in the sunshine, a delicious cup of black coffee, finding treasures at second-hand stores
What I'm navigating: self love and a small cheese pizza 🤣 I'm also building relationships and expanding my ability to be seen online
This sounds like a description of a very rich life - wonderful! Not without its challenges of course, but “full”. Thank you for saying hi and sharing something about yourself!
What brings me joy: the signs of autumn/fall that I am seeing all around me right now especially the ripening blackberries and glorious autumn leaves.
What I'm navigating: my oldest flying the nest for new adventures.
Thank you for sharing! I heard a term the other day which was a nice reframe of "empty nester" but now I can't think of it. That's a big transition to navigate I'm sure!
Fall is my favorite season. I hope you will write some reflection prompts about it :) I know I could use it!
What brings me joy in the moment : the sun, seeing dolphins from my balcony, my dog. 🐺
What I'm navigating : finding my purpose in life (I'm past the midpoint). ✨
I tried to vote in the poll, but it wouldn't let me even though I'm subscribed.
Dolphins from your balcony!? Wow. How magical!
That's a big endeavor! Are you able to navigate it with fun and playfulness or does it feel more like you're lost at sea in a big storm? (can you tell I have a nautical theme in my mind now?)
Thanks for contributing! Not sure what happened with the poll - feel free to share your vote here or in a message if you like.
I'm trying to redefine how I see things... That helps. But I still feel lost at sea. Trying to stay the course through the storms. It's all a person can do. 😊
What brings me joy: The books I am currently which are howling dark,the will of the many, of darkness and light
I am currently trying to land my first job post graduation
Thank you for sharing Arsim! I love hearing what others are reading - just added The Will of the Many to my reading list.
Good luck on the job search!
Painting brings me flow and immense joy.
I'm nativigating chronic illness flare up, menopause and neurodivergence.
Searching for connections within my limited capacity
🧡! That's a lot to manage and navigate - I see you! Be gentle with yourself when you can.
Searching for (and maintaining!) connections can be so hard for us - I hope you're feeling connected even with small interactions when you do have capacity.
Thank you! I do feel seen here on Substack, making lovely connections here!
Something that brings me joy ✨ is reading research and summarizing it.
Now I'm navigating the challenge of making time to read the Substacks I'm subscribed to.
Thanks for the prompt, Hanna 🩵
Is it the summarizing for others or the pulling out of insights and nuggets that you love? Or both /somethjng else? I love the idea of not only reading something but then creating something else from it - I think it would change the way I read.
…Which is related to what you’re navigating! Not only am I falling behind (what does that even mean?) but more importantly, I’ve noticed I skim more, and don’t take the time to fully read, which I’m not loving.
I’d love to hear when you come up with a solution to make time and to prioritize the ones you do want to read.
Thank you for adding your joys and challenges! 🧡
I love finding studies I find interesting or important. Not all of the studies I read make the cut.
I know, right: what does falling behind even mean?
Let me know if you figure out how to make the time to read everything we want to read. 🩵😄