Anxiety occurs when we carry undefined expectations about some part of our lives. It’s that nagging sense of failure or missing out that accumulates across our relationships and areas of responsibility. It’s not about feeling good about what we do. It’s about feeling good about what we’re not doing right now.
Author: Emily
How should I feel in a pandemic?
Today is day four of my exile from the world. I’m holed up with my immediate family and a stack of good books. We’re bored and a little goofy, and our dogs are finally getting the attention they deserve. It’s been a weird week. On Tuesday, I had a happy hour with my coworkers. We… Continue reading How should I feel in a pandemic?
March 4th, a holiday for your dreams
Every year, my company celebrates March 4th as a holiday. The whole office closes up shop and gives everyone the day to “march forth” on their dreams. We call it “taking the day off to take the day on.” To introduce the holiday to the outside world, I co-wrote a short stop-motion film. The stop-motion… Continue reading March 4th, a holiday for your dreams
Habits make us who we are.
And boy, we’ve all got a long way to go. I remember listening to a podcast (possibly Adam Grant’s Work Life) about habits, where the speaker described habits as your life’s autopilot. At the time, I resented the comparison. I wanted to be the master of my own destiny, to feel like I had the… Continue reading Habits make us who we are.
All the good restaurants in Atlanta
Atlanta’s a good place to live. Besides the friends, family, trees, and sunny skies, it’s a great place to grab a meal—or so I’ve heard. Since Eric and I moved to town a year ago, we’ve had some great dates, but our progress in exploring the city has been slow. The budget app’s word is… Continue reading All the good restaurants in Atlanta
A whole year of studying purpose for a living
My job is to help companies uncover their true purpose—literally. BrightHouse is a management consulting group that helps leaders find the intersection between who they are and the need in the world they can fill. It’s a great gig, my dream job, actually, and January 21st marks a year since I started doing it. I’m… Continue reading A whole year of studying purpose for a living
A quiet moment at the decade’s end
Tonight, I welcome the new decade with an overfull belly and a sweet kiss from my one and only. It feels like the last rep of a long workout or the last class of college: belated. Not deflated so much as awaiting air. 2020 will be a year of freedom. Of running and breathing easy,… Continue reading A quiet moment at the decade’s end
Disciplines that changed my life in 2019
Discipline wasn’t an obvious focus for 2019. I’ve historically been a curious and easily overwhelmed person that used creativity as an excuse for procrastination and disordered thought. My daily routine was indistinguishable from laziness, and I had no idea how unhappy it was making me. It turns out that spending your days without rhythm or… Continue reading Disciplines that changed my life in 2019
Trying to make friends like my mom
My mother has a placard on her desk that we gave her last Christmas, an engraving of her job title: “Emotional and Spiritual Consultant.” She got a master’s degree in interpersonal communications in the 80s and has been doing that full time, paid or unpaid, ever since. Like others who excel as stay at home… Continue reading Trying to make friends like my mom
Doing public speaking wrong
A couple of weeks ago, I went to a salon-style public speaking workshop. The crowd was small and intimidating—mostly CEOs, founders, and other accomplished folks—but the atmosphere became surprisingly intimate and warm. There’s a reason for this. Cliff, the host, designed the day as an experiment in vulnerability. He and other speakers began each segment… Continue reading Doing public speaking wrong