Oh hello, didn’t see you there!
I’ve been hibernating this winter and forgot the feeling of joy and what the sunshine looked like. What’s up with me? Oh, you know. February has been Oh So Lovely most of the time, oscillating between beautiful unseasonably warm winters— the kind you can wear shorts, a t-shirt and running shoes and people only slightly give you disapproving looks at your overeagerness for Spring. Long walks and coffee with close friends, contemplating life, jobs, moving, dating, typical twenty-something worries. Madam Secretary re-runs and Actually Getting 8 Hours of Sleep.
The other half of February has felt like a reoccurring nightmare of a series of unfortunate events — threw my f*cking back out from oh, not working out or sex or whatever else you might think— from SITTING TOO MUCH.
Sitting is the new smoking, you know.
Anyone else get period flu?? Always feel like I have Covid but it’s riiight before my period starts but after my will to live has completely shattered.
But, being sick always gives my body a chance to heal and reset and mostly reset my priorities. I used to view feeling sick as a major inconvenience and feel soooo anxious about missing school or social events or whatever. Now I see it as a sign my body is telling me to slow down or something I’ve been doing isn’t working out and I need to make a lifestyle change (how wise of me).
What else? I started a new job the day before my birthday (if you missed it, please feel free to Venmo me $5 for belated wishes and I’ll donate the $ to a mutual aid org). If I had planned ahead I would have organized a bday fundraiser but we’re barely hanging in there some days so that feels like a Next Week Problem.
I honestly CAN’T tell if these reoccurring sicknesses are residual Lyme disease/ chronic pain/ daily life inconveniences/ new normal/ simply my body telling me to stop working desk jobs?
PHOTOBOOTH PHOTOSHOOT WITH JESS’ CORGI, BUTTERZ (WITH A Z, DON’T GET IT TWISTED !!)
Either way, I love my job as much as One Would and I’ve found a really welcoming and kind organization. I’m learning a loooot, working on my priorities and communication and being ~professional~ and I think I’m cosplaying a working adult pretty damn well. Working at a foundation is cool and I still think about grad school often. For now, this is a good routine.
Tomorrow (today? Depending on when I post this) is Valentines Day and I usually don’t give it much thought. But I think the best thing I learned to do the end of 2022/2023 was to Become My Own Best Friend. Living by yourself forces you to lean into this or resist it and I’m really proud of myself for loving my solitary time: going on long walks and doing puzzles or playing the piano and genuinely enjoying my own company. Definitely never pictured myself here but I’ve become quite introverted and it feels a solid change of pace.
Anyways, let’s recap the chaos of 2023 so far shall we? (might be a bit repetitive but it truly is baffling when you see all these events together)
gay meme 4 u
January:
Rung in the new year with Asja and Claire in New York City !!! Found myself in the penthouse (I think????) in Korea Town with a view of the Empire State Building and Times Square in the distance !!!! V cool, Asja and I agreed past midnight was time for bed.
Decided to stay one extra night and consequently woke up at the crack of dawn and drive back to DC for my emergency dentist appointment (we’re all good now— my teeth and me).
Started a new job!
Celebrated my birthday with lovely pals <3
Spent an afternoon with Lia and Joe and the pups :) opening christmas presents and playing a new board game and enjoying yummy baked goods from The Chef Lia. One of the best parts about living in DC! Sister time and fooood.
Tried vegetarianism again. It lasted maybe 2 days?
Back in my ~hibernation era~ as the kids like to say.
Thus, threw out my back from sitting too much.
Made Yoga with Adrienne a daily routine — a true life saver and highly recommend for at home youtube yoga lovers.
Rear ended by a GWU student who was More Concerned With Her Phone Call Than Her Car Or Me 🤪 (we’re all fine).
February:
Started feeling period flu symptoms again which led to another spiral of DO I HAVE COVID OR A FLU OR A COMMON COLD OR RSV OR AM DYING OR JUST ON MY PERIOD ???????!!!! LOVE this for me.
Missed celebrating Claire’s birthday/ Taina in NYC/ Asja’s move because YET AGAIN, I felt ~sick~ but this time my least favorite feeling: nausea for about a week straight. Again, WE LOVE THIS FOR ME.
All jokes aside, I am finally feeling back to “normal” and I’m guessing it was the norovirus going around??? (apparently it’s hitting the Midwest especially hard).
Still really enjoying my job !!!! Lots of meetings and spreadsheets and depressing things to read but happy to be here !!!!
Anyweasels, that’s it for now. Hope this made you smile or feel better about yourself or contemplate picking up the phone and asking me how I really am. Don’t worry, my therapist probably has the same thoughts. As always, thank you for reading and maybe sharing and sending some good luck my way. Fingers crossed for no more illnesses the rest of February.
Stay safe out there, kids and please
sign the NYT letter if you haven’t yet, protesting the NYT biased and harmful coverage of trans and non binary folks.
Thanks!!! See ya on the internet!
:) Catie