“Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.”
— Jim Rohn
Since I’ve been stationary for a few weeks now (and it looks like we’ll be stationary for more still), I wanted to shake up my weekly recaps with a new format. I have less photos to share, but still plenty of thoughts from my travels and updates about the upcoming book and podcast.
So! I want to start a 3-2-1 format that keeps things light and positive here on the blog. I know that all of the news feels centered around COVID-19, and I don’t want to minimize its impact, but I also want to offer a small respite from the 24-hour news cycle.
Thus: 3 good things from last week, 2 things I can’t stop thinking about, and 1 goal for the week ahead. Let’s give it a go, shall we?
Three Good Things From Last Week
ONE. I’ve spent the past three weeks in a cabin in Northern California, with limited cell service and nothing but time — and with that time, I’ve written more than 12 chapters of the book that’ll be published when this project is said and done. Watching the book come together, reminiscing about the highs and working through the shame of the lows, has been nothing short of an incredible experience.
TWO. I have laid the groundwork for the upcoming podcast (launch date TBD), including planning the structure and the topics for the first 12 episodes. The entire process has me thinking a lot about my roots in broadcast journalism, reminiscing about when I fell in love with radio and it’s role as (my old boss put it) theatre of the mind. I’m looking forward to flexing a set of muscles that have grown rather stiff since I left the newsroom four years ago.
THREE. In my time off the grid, I’ve planned the next two months of essays, social media, interviews, newsletters and other content for this project — and I’m so excited to connect with you more consistently and in more meaningful ways. Stay tuned for some fun announcements, questions, and stories that have been hanging around in my head for months now.
Two Things I Can’t Stop Thinking About
ONE. Have you ever wondered about how our music tastes change and why? Since I’ve had no internet and limited cell service in the past few weeks, I’ve worked with more focus than I have in months (maybe even years!), read a handful of books in full, and listened to plenty of podcasts. (It’s honestly incredible what you get done without the distraction of social media.) But through it all, I’ve been listening to a revolving list of about a hundred or so songs that were last downloaded to iTunes in 2017.
Which has me thinking two things: (A) I am so sick of these songs, and if I have to listen to them one more time, I might scream and (B) woah, has my music taste changed immensely in such a short time. It was so incremental that I didn’t even realize it — and now, looking at my iTunes, I barely recognize it as the decisions of my past self.
Just another example, I suppose, of how everything changes.
TWO. There’s so much uncertainty about the road ahead (and when I can return to it), but I want to focus on how it’ll look once I get there. I can’t stop thinking about how to streamline this trip: how to get more accomplished, to meet more people, learn more about this country, and share more insights with you. I’ve been making plans, organizing old files, and color-coding new checklists to stay organized for my (eventual) return to the remaining 23 states.
One Goal For The Week Ahead
ONE. This week, it’s all about tracking down experts to give some context to stories I’ve heard on the road and recording those conversations so I can start piecing together the upcoming podcast. I’m nervous about the logistics, but eager about the project — so I’m up for the challenge. After all, the only way to get good at something is to begin.
If you have a few minutes, I’d love to hear one of the good things that happened to you this week! Let me know in the comments or by emailing me at wethevotersproject@gmail.com.
Until next time.
