Happy New Year Eve!!! Bring it on 2026

 This has been such an intense year with so many losses. Like most of us in academia, I have a deep sense of grief about the assault on higher education (and our democracy and vulnerable communities). Mostly though I am full of gratitude that I have been part of the journey of so many amazing scholars, and get to bare witness to their journeys. Thank you all for your goodness and fight and struggle and joy. May the light of the universe shine upon you and yours in 2026. May your work bring you meaning and pleasure in a healthy, sustainable way. May you and your loved ones have health. My your relationships grow and deepen. Most importantly, may you discover the ultimate gift of the universe in 2026: salsa dancing 🎉 . Last year I danced (at home as "cardio salsa" or at socials with others) 340 times. I resolved to do better, body permitting, next year 😜 .

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Big goals are facilitated by good processes.

I have never had more emails before about a blog post. People seemed to really resonate with this notion.

Big goals are facilitated by good processes.

Roll that one around a bit.

Goals and Deadlines=Anxiety

Does motivating with a mental health condition sound like a wise idea? When you use goals and/or deadlines as your primary tools for motivation for writing (or anything else), that is just what you are doing! This does not mean that we should not have lofty, big, audacious goals (I love those!!), and that deadlines are not real. However, as I have explored in this blog for well over a decade now, developing healthy, sustainable processes allows you to forget your goals in the moment of writing in order to focus at the task at hand.

Big goals are facilitated by good processes.

Roll that one around a bit.

You don't need to use anxiety as a motivational tool: there is another way.

I am responsible for living a joyful and purposeful life: Happy B Day to me

 And that is that :)

Do Hard Things....

With no judgement or expectations.

That is it...

Weekend Email Verses Weekend Writing

Checking your university email over the weekend is a far greater cognitive load than having a healthy writing session. Not saying you should write on the weekend, but most certainly am saying not to check your email if you are trying to not work.

Are You Checking Your Email Over the Weekend?

 Then yes, you actually are working.