Think Piece
Tuesday Tidings #7
I was going to write a whole thing about going with the flow vs. being a forcing current. Then I was going to write about my practice of using a “God Box” as a way to set aside my worries and fears which led me to the importance of perspective…when I look back to where I started, I can see how far I have come which puts everything in a different light. And then, as a related and also completely non-sequitur, I was going to write about the show “Plur1bus” on AppleTV.
But each time I started to write, I thought, “sheesh, I have said a version of that a million times here already. I have nothing new to add to that and, right now, I have nothing else that I feel so strongly about that I want to write about it today.”
In fact, it was the complete opposite. I felt bored with my own thoughts.
Why? Maybe because I need a break.
The “I need a break” thought first occurred to me on Saturday. It happened in a very roundabout way. I was at a holiday gathering of friends (which was a delight). As lovely as it was, I spent the whole (almost) three house I was there sitting in the same spot on the couch. I did not mingle. I did not make new friends or really visit with old friends. I did not even get up except that one time to hug a bestie when she arrived and the other time when I needed to use the bathroom. Otherwise, I was stuck in place with my inner “noise” meter in the red.
I wanted to be there and I needed a break—not from others or from socializing. From everything.
Then a friend whom I had not seen in a while sat down next to me. We had a lot to catch up on. For the next (almost) two hours, except for an occasional aside with others who stopped by or sat down on the other side next to me, we chatted about the highlights of his cross-country, segued into a discussion about marketing as a solo-preneur, which led to AI, creativity, determinism and free-will. It was a conversational think piece.
And as part of that conversation I realized something. When I still worked for someone else (and got a paycheck plus benefits in exchange), I usually had this week off because the office would be closed for the week between Christmas and New Year’s. The emails stopped. The phone went silent. And the to-do list was set aside. It was a hard reset.
Now, not so much.
I am (mostly) ok with that. Maybe because (most of the time) what I do does not feel like work. It feels like fun. And I still need a break.
So, I will start with that right now.
I am officially closing my laptop, putting away the mic, and turning off the camera. Instead, I will pull out my receipe book, go to the market, and get what I need for the meals I will cook over the next few days. It is something I love to do for those I love. And the best part?
It does to require me to write or say one word.
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Here is a link to the latest episode from the Discoball Tour Day 10 & 11: “At the Heart of It”
On Day 10, I leave Amarillo, drive to Santa Fe, NM (a place I lived in for four years and left eleven years ago), and reunite with my former (work) parents. Along the way, the feels come up and more of my story comes to the surface as I remember my little morkie Harley. On Day 11, I begin my time in Santa Fe with a new experience and feel the safety of being at home.
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Meals Out: Went to Brix27 in Martinsburg, WV for the first time with a bestie…it was a bestie date and included a layover on the interstate which of course was fun cause we always have a good time no matter what. The meal was delicious (lots of shareables including crab Mac and cheese, whipped feta and deviled eggs). And the wine flights are amazing.
Listening (voice): Channels with Peter Kafka…if you’re remotely interested in the business of entertainment business or curious about what the Warner Bros./Netflix merger may or may not mean in terms of media consolidation (my friend and I also talked a little bit about that when we sat together on the couch), this is a great conversational break down by Peter Kafka and his guest, Lucas Shaw (Bloomberg).
Listening (song most likely on repeat): This song popped up as I drove through the Pennsylvania country side and it made me bop quite a bit which is why I played it again and again. It’s a beautiful, quite chipper, and heartfelt song about longing (for love)…really loved cruising along to this one, maybe because it expressed a version of how I felt sitting on that couch on Saturday. Or more like at my desk this morning. Party for One by Magic AL, LouHazel, Amelia Meath (Link to Apple Music and embed to Spotify).
Watching: Plur1bus. No, I will not write the long think piece I had in mind for this. If you decide to watch it, just know that it will make you think…in the best possible way.
Most Hours Logged Doing: Writing, editing, packing, driving, in no particular order.
Tuesday Morning Meditation: 12.23.25
Sometimes, all I need is a hard reset, a step back, and a time out.
Is there a topic you would like me to write about in a Tuesday Tidings? Cover in a podcast episode? I am curious about what you are curious about and would love to hear from you so leave a comment below or drop me line.
Ah yes, a break from me!