Do you like yourself?
Oh, hi friends!
The other day, I was thinking about leaving freelance life and getting a full-time, in-the-office job.
And then I was talking to a fellow freelancing friend who just had one of those grind-it-out, deadline-driven weeks. We talked about how during those weeks you stop answering emails or texts from friends, or forget to call home, or you’re in a dark, cranky mood.
And I remembered when being in that place was the default, not the exception.
We made a connection: when you’re not totally overwhelmed by your job, you’re…kinder. Nicer. Maybe a lil’ softer. Maybe you hold the door more for strangers.
I still think you can be focused and driven and kind. Plenty of people are. I have friends whose balancing acts are feats to behold. But when it tips into overwhelm — as it so often did at my last job, especially when we were constantly! closing! the! magazine! — that’s when the soft edges get rough.
By the way, not saying it’s not easy to get overwhelmed as a freelancer. Oh ho ho, it is! But perhaps knowing that you chose this path, or that you can get off the merry-go-round, allows you to carve out more brainspace for other things. Also, you have more time on your hands because you don’t have a commute or have to think about office politics. But you also have less time on your hands because you literally think about work for 90 percent of your day. So. Lots of gray area here.
All I know is that when I was working 60+ hours a week in an office, there’s no way I would have written this newsletter. Or counseled friends of friends about freelancing. Or stopped for idle chit chat with a stranger. No, when I am in the zone, I am 100 percent in the zone. (RIP Karamonster 2008-2012.)
Anyway. Where’s the line for you?
When you’re busy, are you less kind?
How busy are you now?
How kind will you be today?
Boy, this story tugged at me this week. This tweet has over 1.1 million likes. Here’s the New York Times' feel-good read for your morning: He’s 22. She’s 81. Their Friendship Is Melting Hearts.
Because Everyone Has a Cold Right Now
Here’s Liz Gilbert’s “Magic Chai” tea recipe. (Thank you, Nina Semczuk for the recommendation!) This tea seems much cozier than my typical “whatever Trader Joe’s tea bags I have lying around.”
Do you like these daily emails? Please share with a friend!
Thanks, as always, for reading.
Love, Kara