The first-half of 2019 has been a most difficult year as my personal life transitioned through many changes. I won’t go into all that. On top of that has been my work with a heavy teaching load at the university: co-teaching a journalism course on multimedia storytelling design, co-teaching a neuroscience workshop, and teaching a first-year writing course. The last two courses are my first experiences teaching in those areas. The writing course was an 8:30am – 9:30am course while the others were held late in the afternoon. Often, I found myself coming into work before 6am and not leaving until after 6pm. The term was draining but, oddly, energizing.
A one-week break followed Winter Term and then our 4-week Spring Term rolled into action during which I taught a course on innovations in publishing. Near the end of Spring Term, I faced almost complete exhaustion (both physically and mentally).
I’m having some time to recover now that summer is here. No courses, no students to mentor. I can focus on rebuilding my life and preparing for my fall courses. And, along the way, I have my job at the library but that’s largely now defined around teaching and leading the academic minor in digital culture and information.
As part of my recovery process, I’m listening to a lot of podcasts. I have some time to do that as I drive up and down the highway. One of the best that I enjoy is The Tim Ferris Show. Someday, I’ll write more about Tim Ferris. I’m also picking up again on the a16z podcasts from Andreessen Horowitz. Through both of those I’ve come to know about The Moment with Brian Koppelman. (I appreciate how Koppelman consistently recognizes his privilege.)
From Tim Ferris, the recommendation list is huge. Perhaps to get started, please listen to one of the following: Tara Brach, Sharon Salzberg, Maria Popova, Jack Kornfield. If you only listen to one, I recommend Alain de Botton, How Philosophy Can Change Your Life.
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