I haven’t written in what seems like forever, but it’s not because I don’t want to. Have you ever felt like you have so many thoughts backed up in your brain that it’s hard to pick the one that you want to focus on first? I’m sure I’m not the only one this happens to… and I suspect if I made writing here and in my personal journal more of a routine, it would help with this problem.
Obviously, I haven’t tried that yet. But I may, since the Pileup of Thoughts also makes it hard for me to focus on my work sometimes!
Today, though, some random thoughts to share… bits and pieces from the odd landscape of my brain.
- I have so many thoughts on finding your true north, and the path you’re mean to follow to get there, that I think it deserves a post (or two) of its own. Hopefully that will be coming later this week.
- The end of the semester is (finally) upon us. I am always amazed at how time speeds up as we enter the last few weeks of classes, then all of a sudden, it’s over. I’m going to miss my students, even though we’ve only met virtually. They have been absolute rock stars in dealing with college during a pandemic. And I can’t wait to meet them in person, hopefully next year.
- I’m finally back on the coffee train after a couple of years off. It stopped tasting good to me, so I switched to tea and Diet Coke (my one addiction, and I refuse to apologize for it or give it up…. I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I generally lead a healthy life, let me have my fizzy addiction, please). I’m thrilled by this but now daunted by the challenge of figuring out what kind of coffee maker I want to buy. I got rid of my last one because it was barely functional, so don’t want to make the same mistake again. Cold brew? Pour over? Keurig with environmentally friendly pods? Sigh. So many choices. Opinions welcomed if you’d care to share.
- I am SO READY for warm weather. Bring it on. I love the season of “not having to spend 5 minutes getting ready to freeze my rear off outside”.
- I haven’t been able to run for a few weeks now due to a nasty crack on my heel. Ow. And surprisingly, I am okay with that. I’m also really happy not going to my gym for right now, so need to decide if i want to continue the membership or not.
- I have had both doses of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine and am now eagerly planning a trip out East to see my family. I cannot wait to hug them. It’s been too long. (I know that others are even further from their families, and it’s been even longer for them. I hope that you, too, get to see your families soon…)
- I have the biggest pile of stuff to donate right now. Time to figure out when I can make a big drop off.
- Anyone have any tips for getting my brain out of a “worry spiral”? This morning, I fixated on one particular challenge with the types of studies that I want to do, but it wasn’t like I could DO anything about it at the time. This drives me bonkers – when something takes over my thoughts and pushes out everything else. Does this happen to anyone else? Tips?
OK, that might be enough randomness for, well, a long time. This gives a snapshot, probably a scary one, into all of the different directions my thoughts go at any given time. I’m not sure if anyone is still reading at this point as this isn’t the most exciting topic… but if you are, thank you. I do love writing here and am working on being back here more regularly.
That final quote describes so much my own brain right now!! Very well said! But st least my brain is getting somewhere because I’m slowly getting my ***** together, I’m finally where I want to be with blogs, and have done some good decisions lately.
Oh, coffee. The only true coffee for me is what comes out of an espresso machine. Pour over machines filter OFF the flavours while espresso machines, Moka coffee makers and similar concentrate them. (Don’t ask me how it works, lol, the only thing I know is that it has to do with pressure) I have a Gaggia Classic, it’s fantastic and I’ve had it for at least 5 years. When it breaks down I’m going to buy another Gaggia Classic. Says it all!
Oh and I’m delighted for you that you’ve had both your vaccine shots!
I think that final quote describes so many of our brains right now! Mine is just too full. I need the Pensieve from Harry Potter so I can offload some of them (perhaps another reason I need to blog and journal more…?). I am so glad that you’re getting it all together, and that you feel like you have a positive direction with your blogging, and your decisions. I do love that you are focusing more on your music – you are so talented!
Ah, coffee opinions. I do love espresso-based drinks. European coffee is just the best. It’s been too long since I’ve had it! I’m not sure I’m in the market for an espresso machine, but the idea IS tempting. I liked the Nespresso when we tried it – actually, I think, on a trip to Sweden? It was in the hotel and it was a mini-revelation. I am not as fond of the American classic of a 12-cup carafe of regular ol’ coffee, although of course I will drink it if that is what is offered!
I do wish that other countries could have the same progress on vaccination that we have had. I am hoping that you get yours soon.
I am so happy you will get to see your family soon! And excited to follow your coffee journey. I don’t drink it, but my husband does sometimes and lately has been trying to make the perfect cup of espresso.
I am feeling ready for warm weather too. I normally hate being so hot but I am also sick of finding jackets and layers to wear. Ha.
I bet Stephany (stephanywrites.com) would have great ideas on the worry spiral. I think that’s something she’s specifically worked with her therapist about! But of course, I cannot remember what she said. Super helpful comment, right? I try to think of something positive, like my cats, when that happens to me. Or I visualize myself on a run. It doesn’t always work!
I hope your heel feels better soon!
It’s funny – I’ve been on and off the coffee train multiple times, but I always seem to come back to it. For years, I resisted (chai tea was my go-to, and I still drink it for a mini boost). I think we all seek our ‘perfect cup’, whatever that is for us!
Oh, thanks for reminding me that Stephany wrote about the worry spiral. I do remember that, so will have to search her site. I think I found her through you, or vice versa… it’s how I’ve found most of the blogs I’ve added most recently, which are turning out to be my favorites. 🙂 I either distract myself with thoughts of something else, or try to think of something concrete to do to address whatever the worry is. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. Classic.
The heel is one step forward, one back. Sigh. I’m overly cautious but… I’ve had too many issues with this leg to really risk it. Thanks for the good thoughts!
Anne, you have no idea how similar our brains seem to work (definitely have too many tabs open at all times LOL).
I am glad you’re back on the coffee train…. says the person that despised coffee until age 25 and now calls it her favorite “comfort drink”. As you might know from my IG, I am an advocate for (manual) pour over (not drip coffee). It tastes wonderful and I love the ritual in the morning. Cold brew works, but only in the summer for me. Keurig and other pod machines have never tasted good to me (but then again, I only had it here and there at friends’ houses and maybe there are pods with good coffee… I just don’t like the environmental factor of it).
I am so stoked you had both vaccines (any side effects? I am getting my second Pfizer on Wednesday) and will be able to visit family soon <3
Ha! You should see my actual tabs. It’s… pretty bad, let’s just put it that way!
I thought you were a pour-over devotee. I need to look into that, or maybe French press. The regular old American style coffee maker is just not my favorite thing. I’ll drink it but will be thinking how much better it could be the whole time. (Don’t tell my mother, who loves her “regular coffee”!) And yes, I hate the environmental impact of the pods, always have. Plus those machines just get gross, and they’re hard to clean.
No side effects other than a very sore arm for a few days. I was convinced I’d be slammed, but nope. It really varies, though. I’m SO GLAD you’ll get yours, and hope that you have a good experience, too. I do think moving my arm as if it didn’t hurt actually helped, in some way.
Laughing at your Diet Coke comment….I am not a coffee drinker (I just have never liked it!), but I drink a TON of black, plain hot tea. Several cups per day. And then, in terms of a true “vice”, I, too, have a soda habit that I’m often embarrassed to admit…I tend to think of it like you do- I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, I exercise, I live a healthy life, etc etc. If this one “bad habit” that I really enjoy is going to kill me, I guess so be it!! haha!!
Oh, thank goodness. I thought I was the only person who does that. I’m glad others share my vice, and I think it’s hilarious that you use the same general argument. I drink tea, as well, so I guess I’m an indiscriminate consumer of all things caffeinated. Ha. (And now… I kind of want a Diet Coke today – the power of suggestion!)