I’ve been a bit absent here over the past couple of weeks, but what better day to return than the start of a NEW MONTH!?
I am now home after a gym meet and a VERY early flight home. The last few days were fun AND incredibly rejuvenating. I arrived Wednesday around 6 pm, gave my talk on Thursday morning (I think it went well and got some nice feedback!) but was then free to enjoy the rest of the day Thursday and Friday.
AND ENJOY I DID. I did attend a number of (good!) talks, but I also slept in, went running, got a massage, experienced my first sound bath meditation (pretty cool!), and ate good food. I met up with Leif, did some netwoking with fellow podcasters (Seema + Param) and connected with a blog reader and her friend on the final night (hi C if you are reading this!).
I don’t have many pictures, but here’s one of me after my talk with Genhee So, one of the columnists at WCI! I had just finished my talk and was clearly happy about that, haha. (I do enjoy the actual speaking, but it’s also a relief to be done and feel like it went okay!).
I considered posting here both days, but really just wanted to lean into the relaxation. This trip was not a super long stretch, but I felt like I really needed it, and honestly the timing was ideal. February was a very work-heavy and deadline-driven month, and I’m glad I pushed to finish things, but I also felt at times like I was approaching burnout/overwhelm and the dedicated recovery time was so helpful. (I also cannot remember the last time I’ve traveled entirely on my own — probably PES in 2023! I do enjoy it from time to time).
AND NOW it’s on to March! I am going to spend some time on my flight deciding on goals for the month. I have no call and no major deadlines so I’m really looking forward to just re-establishing some routines for home + work, and also just resetting the boundaries around non-work time which really kind of dissolved (by necessity) in February.
February Wrap Up:
Books Read: 3 (2025 Books Page) – plus I finished a 4th today (on the plane).
That one was All Fours. I didn’t love it. I DO tend to enjoy stories about people kind of . . . going off the rails but this one has some themes that I just can’t really get behind and I have a fairly strong dislike for the protagonist. I finished it because I’m close to done and it’s a book club pick! I will say I *am* excited to discuss it.
Other Media:
Sex Lives of College Girls – finished the series!
Apple Cider Vinegar! I loved watching this Netflix doc. INHALED it.
White Lotus (eps #1 – 2 that are out so far). Really enjoying watching this with Josh.
We also watched an ep of The Pitt with the kids (a little um, gory, but otherwise good)
Screen Habits:
Fairly abysmal. I’m restarting now. I’m doing a mini digital detox along with my Planning By Season group but I’m considering this my fresh start.
Fitness:
I took a 2 week break from strength training (my call week + the week my book was due!) but otherwise have been going twice weekly.
I also had some great speed workouts. Um, I am racing (ish?) a half tomorrow. We’ll see how that goes.
Highlights:
FINISHING my book!! The main/major highlight
Watching A compete in gymnastics (twice)
WCICON!
Securing a hotel for next year’s BLP Live!
ONTO MARCH. I am ready!
13 Comments
I decided not to read ‘All Fours’. I can be a bit of a prude and my good blogger friend Nicole said it’s ‘not safe for Lisa.’ 🙂
I mostly travel alone and I don’t mind it at all. I am glad the kids are at easier ages to travel with but there is nothing like just taking care of yourself/your belongings!!
I do not think you would like it 🙂
Agree to agree! Lisa, the only reason for you to read this book is to see why three people are saying “not safe for Lisa”.
Oh, happy to find like minded readers of All Fours here! I didn’t think it was about how much it sucked to be a middle aged woman as much as it was about how much it sucked to be a middle aged woman if those are your values. I read it in gratitude that my life felt so much easier than the protagonists because I would always make different choices.
Love this take (from someone who hasn’t read the book and isn’t planning to, I don’t need that kind of energy in my life).
I did not like All Fours, but I would LOVE to do a book club on it. At first I was like “oh cool, middle aged woman doing a cross country trip, just what I would love to be doing!” and pretty quickly I was like “um this is not what I would be doing on a cross country trip”. I just wasn’t sure what the author was trying to say besides that it sucks to be a middle aged woman.
I’m holding off on getting a Max subscription until season 2 of The Last of Us, but once it’s out I will be doing a Pitt/White Lotus/Last of Us binge.
I hated All Fours and don’t really understand the critical acclaim. Very rare for me to so vehemently dislike a book.
I also didn’t love all fours, too weird. I also inhaled Apple cider vinegar after you recommended it. I think I’ll have to watch white lotus next.
Glad you had a good solo trip to unwind and plan.
Sadly they are only releasing white lotus one ep at a time! Two are out and the third tonight!
Adds All Fours to tbr.
Would be interested to hear how realistic you and your husband think The Pitt is at portraying the ER. I am also watching White Lotus season 3 – a slow burn so far – hoping the pace picks up.
That dress is FIRE, Sarah! It looks great on you!
I enjoyed All Fours but wow, was it weird. Also, I will never get the imagery of a) the tampon scene, and b) the dog poop thing out of my head. Also also, one of my favourite things about that book was when she tucked a shirt into her giant pair of panties and thought “this is a new outfit he’s never seen before.” WHAT. It was so weird and wild. I heard a podcast about it and someone said “have you got to the weird part yet” and I thought, THE WHOLE THING IS A WEIRD PART.
Ooh! I can’t wait to hear about the race! Sounds like that convention went well but I’m tired just reading about it all. Hope March is a little more chill for you…