New Routines
A Sunday Update
This past week, I returned to both school and work after a refreshing winter break. As the week unfolded, I found myself settling into new routines, and I’ve realized I’m genuinely fond of them. Reflecting on how my life has evolved over the past year, I feel content and grounded.
About a year ago, I started using a journal called One Line a Day. It’s been such a joy to look back and see what mattered to me each day. Last year, my entries were often a simple recap of running, going to work, or squeezing in yoga and grocery shopping before another shift. Now, my life feels much more balanced, and I’m proud of the routines I’m building—the kind of life I’ve been striving for.
One of my favorite parts of my current routine is reading, both before bed and in the early morning. This week, I read After I Do and found a line that deeply resonated with me: “Isn’t it nice,” he says, “once you’ve outgrown the idea of what life should be and you just enjoy what it is?”
Over the past month, I’ve become more aware of how much I’ve let other people’s expectations shape my goals. I’m learning to let go of those pressures and instead focus on what excites and challenges me. Goals can change, and that’s okay. It’s better to mourn goals that no longer resonate than to chase them out of habit. After all, working hard for something you truly care about is rewarding, but working hard for something you don’t care about is just stressful.
Running Highlights
Running-wise, this week was a solid one, even with its challenges. I ran 84.79 miles (though I was tempted to run 0.21 more for the nice round number). Four of those runs were with friends, which was a highlight. I didn’t feel particularly strong during my big interval session, but my 18-mile long run felt incredible—possibly the best I’ve ever felt during a long run. I wasn’t drained afterward, which felt like a victory in itself.
Running with friends also led to some fun coffee shop discoveries. This week, our runs ended at:
Stone Creek Coffee: Maple Ube Latte
Canary Coffee: Almond Milk Cappuccino
Pilcrow Coffee: Cookie Dough Cold Brew (so good I went back post-long run to grab their bottled cold brews in all four flavors).
I’ve been using these cold brews creatively, steaming them as “creamers” for my americanos. My rankings:
Cookie Dough (obviously the favorite)
Yabba Dabba (fruity cereal milk vibes)
Orange Mocha (a surprisingly delightful twist)
Vanilla Cardamom (a bit too earthy for me but still good).
Spring Semester Beginnings
Classes started this week, and I have a Tuesday/Thursday schedule that kicks off at 2 PM. This worked well with my running routine since these days also happen to be my workout and double-run days. It feels productive to dedicate my mornings to running and my afternoons to school. With classes running until 8 PM, I’ve been ending those days pretty wiped out, but in a good way.
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are my dedicated study days. I’ve been using them to tackle homework and start brainstorming ideas for my data analytics projects this semester. I’m excited to learn new skills, particularly in Power BI and Tableau—tools I’ve seen pop up frequently in job descriptions. It’s reassuring to know I’m gaining practical, relevant experience that will serve me well in the job market.
Career Updates
Speaking of jobs, I’ve started hearing back from some of the applications I submitted over winter break. I’m late to the LinkedIn game, but I’ve been working on improving my profile and trying to network more. This week, I had my first phone interview and completed a two-hour logic assessment for a project manager position.
The assessment itself was intriguing and would have been fun if it weren’t for the added stress of being proctored, timed, and taken post-run when my brain wasn’t exactly sharp. Still, it felt good to be progressing in the hiring process and putting myself out there.
A Popcorn Celebration
Finally, I can’t wrap up this post without mentioning that today is National Popcorn Day! I’m celebrating with a giant popcorn salad this afternoon. Last night, I stocked up at Aldi, and my popcorn game is about to be elevated with peanut butter M&Ms and pistachios.
Now, I’m off to the library to pick out my next read. I hope everyone had a relaxing and well-balanced weekend!
