As I wrap up my first #SabbaticalGoals quarter (Q4) and lean into planning for the second (Q1) I am looking forward to new experiences and unlearning.
Q4 recap.
- Conferences and Events – I attended National Association of Corporate Directors Summit in DC, Lesbians Who Tech & Allies Summit in San Francisco and a Stanford AI Symposium, Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders and Lama Lounge in Palo Alto and gave a keynote at the SheTO Summit in Fremont.
- Projects – Got a new closet (yay!) – Since our bedroom is small and house was built in 1929, this involves a lot more complexity than one might expect. Leveraged the opportunity to also declutter all the things (including the attic). While still more to do, we are safely moved back into our bedroom and feeling a lot more at ease.
- Health – Did all the check ups that come with being a woman fortunate to have lived past 50. Generally good here, but learned that I wasn’t wrong when I thought shelter in place had ruined my feet. Short summary is that barefoot is no longer an option and I have even more constraints than I thought in the purchase of shoes (challenge accepted).
- Reading/Thinking – I covered most of this here but I’ve also sent a good number of texts, DMs and emails with articles, blogs, quotes, thoughts, videos, jokes, memes and podcast links. Surprisingly, people still respond and haven’t blocked me 🤓 – sponge status unlocked. I have attempted to keep track of these things for future reference, but let’s be honest, that is a huge “growth area” for me as I forget to remember where I put all the things.
- Human Connection – Advising, mentoring, walk-and-talks, hugs, coffees, lunches, bookclub, girls weekend and various zoom calls. I’ve met amazing people, re-connected with people I don’t spend enough time with and everything in between. Huge thanks to everyone who made time to engage and share time with me, it has brought me joy.
- Movement – Dance, Peloton, Pickleball, Walks, Hikes, Stretch class, Strength training. Not winning any athletic awards but appreciating health and mobility and everything my body can do and committed to laugh more.
- Family – Attended Family weekend at University of Richmond, a milestone birthday in Phoenix for my step dad, a few family gatherings locally and cheered the youngest through the college application submission deadlines (IYKYK).
Strange that I did all the above and somehow feel like I’ve not done much… I think there is a reflection opportunity there for sure. In my mind, all of this time was about transitioning and mental decluttering. Winding down a bit, but still very much connected to current state.
Structured Unlearning
As I prepare for Q1, I’m leaning into an Expansive mindset with a focus on travel. I plan to get out of my routines and habits and shake up my assumptions. When planning travel, I tend to experience some anxiety and invest too much in mishap prevention. Generally, prevention is good – the avoidance of problems is a cultivated strength and has generally served me well. But this is also a personal limitation.
In my nerd wanderings ™ , I’ve learned that this kind of risk aversion is consistent with a first generation (compounded by trauma). It’s a pragmatic response to the reality of limited safety nets. In my case, it is also a bit of a life hack to accommodate for my visual spacial disorder and my propensity to get lost. I work around these challenges with memorization, routines, and an outsized amount of planning.
In Q1 I’m going to channel my best AFW and remind myself that things could work out fine. I have access to the google machines, smart friends in multiple timezones, AI recommendations and GPS. I am also a great problem solver with American Express card, a reasonable tolerance for inconvenience, who doesn’t stress about wait times. In other words, it’s time to unlearn some behaviors. As I prepare for our “empty nester” status next year, I think it wise to understand my real boundary conditions vs. falling back on past assumptions.
Q1 Travel Plans
- January: Park City (Skiing), Hawaii (Beach)
- February: Virginia (UR Ring Dance), NYC (Board meeting), India (Tourism)
- March: TBD College visits, Cambodia/Singapore (Tourism), Chicago (Wedding)
I am excited to learn more about myself and the world. I am lucky to have the time and the opportunity (inclusive of health) to live new experiences and I am grateful to my family who has been supportive (with the occasional eye roll of course).
I still intend to over plan and over pack but I am also going to give myself permission to roll with it and change it up as opportunities emerge. For many of you this is not a big deal, but I can promise you that for me this is real growth.
Here’s to reflecting on the year and growing in 2024 for whatever that means for you. I am grateful to know you. You make me better.
Meg Bear 