1. Girls started summer camp. Lizzy seems thrilled despite not being in the same group as her friend. Sofia got a friend, daughter of my colleague, but doesn’t seem to be too excited about the activities. Original plan was to do 2 weeks of camp with one week break in between. Due to Lizzy’s enthusiasm, she’ll do all 3 weeks. Sofia will take next week off so she can prepare and record her piano grade 5 exam.
2. I figured my work related stress is due to fear. To overcome fear of being out of place and look like a fool, I need to over prepare to build confidence and feel ready. So the next 3 weeks will continue to be busy at work. I probably need 20 hours of preparation for a 20 min presentation.
3. Once I accept that #2 is my choice, I stop feeling bad of having to work on weekends, at night, having the research project in my head 24/7. Because this is temporary and it will be over in less than a month. I am glad that doing academic research is not my day to day work anymore because that obsession is not healthy and too much pressure too. Once in a while it’s fun, just not as my main job.
4. I am really enjoying listening to audiobook when I run. I’ve listened to two 10+ hours books so far and I’m in my third one (14+ hrs). I like nonfiction for audiobook and my current book is about world order, a rather heavy subject but I find it fascinating.
5. Inspired by Sarah’s post, I watched 1/3 of this movie with the girls last night and it was super fun. Girls were surprised by my suggestion as they are allowed to watch TV only on weekend nights. It was a nice surprise for all of us and good incentive for them to finish their tasks early. After we finished, Sofia said she’ll do her Kumon in the morning so the next day we can continue the movie.
Our New Journey 
Happy Friday, Coco! I’m glad you figured out your work stress. xo
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Fear and having an imposter syndrome can really come into play in our career. I face this quite often, too. I sometimes think, who am I to tell people how to invest their money? But it is my expertise and I need to own that.
I’m glad Lizzie likes the camp! I suppose Sofia is getting to the age where she is less thrilled with things like that. Paul starts his summer program next Thursday and he is super excited. It’s a lot of the same staff that run before and after care so it’s an easy transition and lots of his friends will attend, too. Plus the theme this summer is the Olympics which sounds so fun! I am relieved we have this option as finding camps sounds stressful, plus we need care starting at 7am which can be tough to find.
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I think you’re so wise to realize this is a particularly intense season at work that requires a different style of working/intention. It will be over soon and since you know that it’s not “forever” it helps you figure out how to manage things now.
This is our son’s first year of overnight camp – just a week – and I hope he LOVES it!
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I’m sorry you’re having work stress and some fear. That is very stressful sounding! My job has faced a lot of big changes in the past year also and I’ve also struggled with some imposter syndrome or just feeling in over my head in certain ways. It’s hard trying to navigate new areas where we aren’t as confident. I think the only way out is through and we just have to keep learning and growing as we go.
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Isn’t it ridiculous how much time it takes to put together a presentation? I always chuckle when I get a request to “quickly put some slides” together for a project meeting because I know it’ll take me at least a day to pull together something decent.
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Ugh! Putting together presentation for work is not HARD, but it is time consuming. Hang in there.
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I am clearly in the minority on loving to give presentations. LOL. I don’t mind the work going into it it because it’s so much fun!
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