Friday open thread: changes

[dolorosa_12]

This is the final of my planned Friday open threads — I decided to do these as a trial run for the whole month of August, and gauge interest. From my perspective, people seem to have enjoyed them, so I would like to hear from you in the comments if you would like me to continue to do these in an ongoing way.

In addition, I have a prompting question, brought to you by the fact that I had my first day back in the library since mid-March this week. So my question is: what changed for you this week? It can be a big change, or a small change, as long as it's some kind of change.

You know about my change — so what are yours?

Comments

[kore]

I did something small but very important (and also extremely personal and a bit embarrassing) I had been putting off for three freaking months, so I'm pretty jazzed about that.

I really like your open threads! They make me think, even if I don't reply.

[bruttimabuoni]

I've really liked the open threads. No pressure, but if you want to continue I'd be glad.

I feel like autumn is really coming, not just the rain but a general feeling of back-to-school work getting more urgent; which means I'm back in the mood to cook. That's a positive change for me, and one I'm looking forward to indulging in the coming months. I think the other thing that's shifted for me is that I'm now thinking about *when* I go back to the office rather than just vaguely letting it go on. I'm not planning to for another month, as there's a week I am working elsewhere in late September. But I guess after that, I'm probably going to be doing a thing. Lastly, I've just been given a major piece of work that's basically sketched in the next 3-4 years of the programme I manage. Only sketched, but I can see a path ahead. Not easy, but good. It's been quite a changey week, which is probably why I'm now so sleepy!

[shadaras]

I've enjoyed these open threads, and would be happy to see them continue! I don't want you to stress about them, though, and wouldn't mind it being a 'most weeks but not necessarily every week' thing.

As of Tuesday of this week I am living in an apartment with no other humans in it, and that's hella strange. Not bad at all, but it's the first time I've been living alone. (I've been alone in apartments over holidays and such, but that's different.)

[likeadeuce]

I do love an open thread and I appreciate seeing these and sometimes having something to say!

I am not really in a changey state right now, working from home and a bit static in the way I am interacting with people. I did end up with a big deadline push to get some work product out the door (a little rushed because my boss wanted it done before heading out for a very well deserved vacation, but also because I've been dragging my feet in a bit of stasis without having deadlines); so overall having a faster paced, more collaborative work week, while still not seeing anyone face to face was a good change. Not sure what I'll settle back into next week.

Also decided to stick with the lower dose of psych meds that I've been on -- I went around a larger dose (by coincidence) around the start of lockdown and while it definitely helped me the cope with being home alone, scaling back has really affected my energy levels / has me wanting to write and talk about creativity and fandom more than I have for a while (i hesitate to talk too much about this because I don't want to promote the generality of meds killing creativity or anything, and it's very much been the change in my focus and activity since the 2016 elections that's been the main driver in my not writing/ fanning for a while, but there's also definitely some brain stuff going on and I need to look for the write* balance of positive energy and anxiety, but for now I'm hopeful about the current state)

*i meant 'right' but will enjoy the slip

[lyr]

Classes started and I'm having to learn to teach a ton of baffled, anxious freshmen online, so that's new.

[nyctanthes]

I've had access to a pool since early July, and have been swimming several times a week. This week I should manage two and half hours of swimming. A first for me!

[dhampyresa]

I enjoy the Friday threads, even if I don't always participate. If you have trouble with prompts, maybe asking for people to submit some would work?

I've had three changes this week: I now have a bedroom blind again; there are nesting pigeons right outside my window (I GOT TO SEE THE EGGS TODAY -- during the "changing of the guard") and for the first time ever the blood donation place had not available platelets slots so I went with whole blood.