And just like that we are here for our May coffee date. Again Lecy is hosting and I am glad you stop by in my little corner. Today we kinda meet in person but only with feet apart. We bring our own coffee and stay on our own side of the fence. But we chat and we see each other and that is kinda of a good thing.
While we sip our coffee…
let’s discuss the phenomenon I recently came across more often. I listen to a podcast and next time I am on Instagram I receive an ad from the host selling some online course. I sit at dinner with friends (pre-Corona) and she tells me about a new product I have never heard of, never googled and never seen before online yet next time I am, I see ads everywhere. Well my phone was on the table during our gathering. So it’s not surprising that when I look for something on Pinterest I soon get infos about it on other social media. While I know all this is happening (and am not totally opposed as I work in marketing) can I say it is still a bit weird. Or better it’s grounding as it shows me that I am quiet transparent in case someone wants to know anything about me. So in a way it is kind of humbling and it makes me reconsider every once in a while what I put online. What are your feelings?
While we sip our coffee…
I talk about our not happening family reunion on the first weekend in May. Usually we meet up at my late grandparents house in the countryside for a weekend of bbq, playing talking and some exploring. Obviously it did not happen. It’s a bit sad. I decided to go down there on my own on May 1 (a holiday in Germany) to visit grandpas grave as it is his day of death. It was a good decision. I sat at the cemetery for an hour enjoying the sun and listening to the birds sing. Then, after spending two hours in the garden (secretly waiting for my parents to come back from their little drive) I left to go back to Berlin. So no worries the social distancing was still intact.
While we sip our coffee…
I share with you my new practice of writing letters. Just last Sunday I wrote three sitting on the balcony. It is such a nice thing to do. And I really do miss having a slow conversation with people. To wait until you receive the answer. Of course I still like the internet and immediate responses too. I guess it’s the combination of it all. It looks like I am developing a new penpalship with an OLF. And so letters are flying between Prague and Berlin. Have you written more letters since the pandemic?
While we sip our coffee…
we just enjoy the warmth of the sun. After a few really warm days it has been rather cold here. But temperatures are climbing again and when you are in a spot of sunshine it gets really nice. So we soak up all the vitamin D we can get.
While we sip our coffee…
I share with you that I have not eaten any cake, chocolate or candy since late February. I am working on crossing of my #74 on my goal list. Basically I try to reduce the sugar intake. I have to admit I had spoon of Nutella once or twice (realizing I really care for it) and I had some semolina with cinnamon sugar and what ever is added to the store bought yoghurts. But besides that I have been good. And my migraines have reduced noticeably. It could be the new treatment with the shots though. I will start having the occasional cake starting in June then we should see but I can’t deny that the sugar is not my friend. I feared that outcome…
While we sip our coffee…
asking you if you keep a regular journaling practice. I have been doing a gratitude journal combined with some habit tracking for years but it looks like the system is not working for me this year. I have hardly filled the pages of my calendar. I used to do it in the morning but now I rather read. And at night I am too tired, keep forgetting or don’t feel comfortable writing in bed. If you keep up that practice please share some tipps.
So much for now. It is getting late. We end our coffee date for today but will be seeing each other next months for sure. And of course in between you are welcome to stop by as well.
Happy May
It’s great that you can see people in person now, even if social distancing is still in place. I totally relate to how weird targeted ads can be. Just yesterday, I was telling my husband I had a pregnancy craving for pizza. Then when I looked at Facebook, there were ads for pizza places coming up! It must have been so difficult not being able to have your family reunion earlier in the month. But I’m glad that you were still able to have a special time remembering your grandpa and that you got to see your parents. Family gatherings are one of the things I’ve missed most in this time. Good on you for reducing your sugar intake! And great that your migraines have decreased because of that. I have a gratitude journal too, but like you I’ve fallen out of the practice of using it. There’s nothing wrong with giving up a practice and replacing it with something that works for this season of life. So lovely to have coffee with you today, Tobia! Hope you stay safe and look after yourself!
Yes the sewing people thing is real but I haven’t done it yet. I dropped some sewn masks of at a friend and I saw her and yesterday I wanted to stop by my friends house to wave from the car but she’s not been there. I haven’t really seen my family though. But I think I will soon. My birthday is coming up and maybe I have a little coffee chat then.
I had pizza craving too yesterday and I usually don’t like pizza.
I cannot wait for real coffee dates. I’m still maintaining social distancing because of my health and our infection numbers are still rising in my area. Hopefully, I can get out to see people soon. The internet freaks me out sometimes. I don’t like the idea of my phone listening it, and have often thought about turning it off while I’m visiting with someone. Maybe the ads will change if I do that. It’s so weird that they pop up right after having a conversation about it. I’m sorry you weren’t able to do your family reunion. That’s the hard part about the quarantine. I look forward to getting together with my family when this is over. I love writing and receiving handwritten letters. It’s nice to open the mailbox and have something that isn’t a bill or junk mail. Way to go on cutting out the sugar. It’s so difficult! I once read an article that said our brains form the same kind of addictive responses to sugar that it would with hardcore drugs and that scared me. I think it’s okay in moderation, but sugar is in so many packaged foods these days. I have been journaling more now that I have more time on my hands. I enjoy it and it helps my mental health. Tobia, I’m so glad you were able to join the coffee date this month. Hope to see you next time!
Lecy | A Simpler Grace recently posted…If You and I Had Coffee | vol 47
Yes I have left my phone in the bag after I realized it a few times. Would be interesting to see if it really changes.
I good for you that journaling is helping to keep your mental health. It is good for me too and I miss it but I just don’t feel it right now. I am looking forward seeing the family and most of all hugging again.
Such a nice article. They are sounds really great. Really it was so read interesting. I am looking forward seeing the family and most of all hugging again. Thanks for sharing more details.
This has happened to me that I’ve been shown ads on Social Media of things that I have recently talked about or heard about… it is a bit weird, although I guess it’s to be expected that the Internet connects *everything* .
I’ve been writing more letters again too and it’s been so nice to both send and receive letters. I love the envelopes that you created!
Yes it is a weird feeling to be shown so clearly even though we somehow do know. Letters are best. Not only during Corona.