It’s raining today, chilly and also windy outside. So we meet inside. You come over to my place. We light some candles even though it’s not yet dark and warm our hands on the hot mugs we have filled with yummy deliciousness. I am having a black coffee today with some extra gingerbread spices. You enjoy an Earl Grey with a dash of milk. The spices waft off our mugs and we deeply inhale. We settle into the couch, tug the cushion just the right way and start sharing what’s been happening lately.
If you and I had coffee…
…I asked how you are doing these days. What are you struggling with, what is draining your energy?
And after listening to you I share that I am tired. This year feels weird. It’s like it is sucking a lot of energy. Everything seems a little harder, a little more forced. Time to rejuvenate and regenerate is limited. Even though I was just away and had a weekend with myself I feel drained again. Already. And I can’t quite pinpoint what it is. Yes, I do have lots of things on my to-do list. Work is a bit crazy. But if I am perfectly honest I have had tougher times. But did they feel this hard? Maybe it’s the emotional weight of the world, the many bad news, the egocentric maniacs running this world. And the good people may be just as tired as I am and not lifting a finger? I am not sure.
If you and I had coffee…
…I admit that I am currently not handling my money well. For months I had to dip into savings to make ends meet. I am not knowing what exactly is going on. I feel like everything is getting more expensive but I have not run the numbers and gained some perspective what is happening. Usually in November I do a financial check and start thinking about what changes need to be made – for my business and for running expenses. But I will not get this done this months. I am too busy earning money so I guess I do that for now and then hope I can find some time to get a grip on things. How are you doing financially?
We sit a little and ruminate in the thoughts. But we don’t want to sit in gloom for our coffee chat so we move on to happier things…
If you and I had coffee…
…I need to know of wearing a tank top underneath is a millennial thing? I have stumbled across this Instagram post wear it says: Anyone else feel the most comfortable with a tank top under EVERYTHING? Trying to break the cycle 🤣
But if you jump into the comments. All the feels you guys. So I was wondering… is that a millennial thing? Because I admit, I am doing this. Just recently (independently from the video) I tried to not wear a tank top under my sweaters when being at home. I have never worn them under shirts but that is apparently also a thing. I need your thoughts here…
If you and I had coffee…
…I have a few happy things to share. We’ve got a new car. It’s another leasing so it is not ours ours but ours for the next three years. It’s a fine car but I feel a title lost in it. It’s too spacious and for longer drives I have no idea where to put my arms to rest. And I feel like it’s not as quickly accelerating as the last car. And I am a fast driver. I don’t like it. But since I am not the main user I guess I shouldn’t complain. The husband is very happy and he uses it daily.
If you and I had coffee…
…I report on another happy thing. On Thursday I was an approved for some funding to do an additional train. And I have immediately booked a four day course on crisis communication. Last year I was lucky to get the same funding and I did the AI Manager course. It has opened my eyes immensely and I can not imagine not having Chat GPT as my co-worker. My initial idea was to go deeper into AI but then stepped back and wondered if its necessary. And then I wondered what skills could set me apart when AI is the new norm. Where can I be valuable in the future. And as pessimistic as it may sound but I fear we are heading into a phase of crises. May it be political or natural in the future this will be an issue I fear. I have had it working for the pot of Hamburg when the Ukraine war started (the company runs the Port of Odessa). While I did what I could during the time I felt a bit unequipped. And That is why I decided to get some refresh on the topic. It starts on Monday. Is it a bit too much in the month of November. Most definitely. Will I do it anyways. Sure. 90 percent of the cost is covered. I would not be a smart business person if I let that slide.
If you and I had coffee…
…I share that I decided to not create Christmas card this year. I just dont see when I am going to do it. My crafty heart is a bit sad about this but y mental health is what I keep taking care off here. Long time readers might remember this post. I shared some card designs based on some art I did. Canva is finally able to provide a printable pdf and I think I am just going to have them printed. So they are half handmade. Good comprise? I could also gift a few to people and have tiny presents.
If you and I had coffee…
…I lastly mention that I set up my comment section so that if you leave a comment you should get a notification if it’s replied to. I tried it and it works but I am more than happy to get some confirmation from you. But the most fun part is that I actually had Chat GPT help me set it up and write the code. It was so much either than going through documentations, tutorials and forums to find a solution. It’s like you have a support person right next to you giving you a step by step plan. I have a few other ideas for the blog that I hope to get to work on over Christmas break. Like I am not too happy with my Book Page. It is ok but it could be more fun. we’ll see if I get around to it.
Hours have passed and we have gotten a good chat in. I will head outside with you o drop you of at the bus stop. On my way back I stop at the bridge to take the monthly photo.
As I said it’s been rainy. And grey.
How is your energy level these days? Have you used Chat GPT to help you with blog issues? What is the last thing you learned? Are you a tank top wearing millennial?
14 comments
I felt like you were talking directly to me (Earl Grey tea, yes please!) Sorry to hear you feel so drained… yes, it has been a hard year. “Egocentric maniacs” running the world, why yes we have one right year! This year has been a lot, and holidays make things extra crazy. I think it’s a good call not to create Christmas cards this year- anything you can take off your plate will help.
As for wearing tank tops…UNDER clothes… shudder. I get so hot, I don’t want any extra layers touching my skin. Maybe that’s because I’m not a millennial, but rather an aging Gen Xer.
Well, maybe it is because you are in Florida and even Millenials won’t wear tank tops in the heat? I am not sure. We have to wait for other commenters to chime in. I WAS thinking of you when typing Earl Grey but I know a few others like it too.
yes you do have an orange Egocentric maniac. But unfortunately you are not the only country having stupidity at the forefront. Sigh.
The world is EXHAUSTING and EXPENSIVE. I make OK money, but my company doesn’t give regular raises and with inflation, I effectively have less money every year. Frustrating.
I think your Christmas card plan sounds perfect. You are very busy, and need to pick and choose your priorities.
It was 80 degrees this week, but has cooled down now, and I am wearing a light sweater with a tank top underneath. I wore a heavier sweater yesterday, and a tank top would have made me too hot. I am not a Millennial. My husband wears tshirts under almost everything all year. We are OG Gen X (born 1965). Our daughter doesn’t wear tshirts or tank tops under her clothes, I don’t think. I will check in. She is cuspy Millennial and Gen Z (1996).
I am pretty sure I have been getting notified when someone replies to my comments!
No rasier ever. That is tough.
I actually received your Christmas card already. I opened the envelope and when I realized its a Christmas card it got tugged back in. I usually read those on Christmas Eve. So thank you for sending it.
I just checked some paper samples for the cards so I think it is the better road and I will go ahead with it. Even though it’s money again. My handmade cards are usually only recycled material I have at hand and besides time they dont cost a thing. Oh well… Gotta spend money so it can come back to me, right?
I love this post. It kind of reminds me of the daybook post I did on Monday but with a much more up to date twist. This has definitely been a rough year and it only seems to be getting worse. It’s a scary time. My energy is around zero these days and no tank tops for this old lady, lol. I can confirm that I do get notifications when you reply. Enjoy the rest of the weekend!
I was thinking that too when I read your daybook post.
Isn’t it weird that we collectively feel this year is rough? Those moments I always wonder if the whole astrology thing is maybe holding some sort of truth.
Thanks for confirming the notifications.
What Julie said: the world is EXHAUSTING and EXPENSIVE, especially this year, and I also feel so drained.
I am also in the same boat that I make OK money, but working for the government, you can’t really negotiate raises and the little bit we do get (sometimes) never covers the inflation, so I also feel the squeeze every year. :( Luckily, Jon and I are generally not big spenders, but even the necessities are so expensive now.
I hope you can take a look at your finances and figure it out.
I also wear tank tops under (pretty much) everything! I don’t even think I am considered a millennial … haha.
HA…. maybe it’s a growing up in the 90s influence kind of thing than with the tank tops. I don’t know. It just made me stop in my tracks.
I feel you on the money. I mean we are still doing well considering many other people who can NOT make ends meet but man… exhausting.
I agree with you that everything feels exhausting and everything is expensive. I haven’t used ChatGPT much. I did ask it to help me solve a Solitaire game that I couldn’t win, and it told me the game was unwinnable, so I felt better about myself after that! Ha! Ha! I didn’t know about the tank top trend, and I have never worn tank tops under anything! I’m already hot all the time, so I don’t think I’ll start wearing them.
Hahah no don’t start wearing them if you already well temperatured (?) / temperated?
I love when Chat GPT is telling me what I do is the right choice. It does make one feel better.
I am feeling pretty tired lately too, and do limit my exposure to too much news, there is so much craziness in the world. I really don’t understand people and the things they do sometimes. We have a massive youth crime problem here and it is heartbreaking some of the stories. Although most of the increase in crime is due to repeat offenders, not more people committing crimes.
I do not wear tank tops under my clothes. I didn’t realise it was a millenial thing.
I’ve been using ChatGpt to do some automating of our work processes and I can see how it would be helpful for custom coding on the blog.
Ah youth crime… it’s sad but it’s happening here too. And so many drugs.
I’d love to hear more about your automation of work processes. But it might not be a blog topic.
The world is dire these days. Not sure how much ignoring the news will help. Maybe a bit with mental health but it’s not that it will go away…
I used to ALWAYS wear a tank top under my shirts, but I stopped doing that at some point. I’m not sure when! But I used to feel so weird without some sort of extra layer, lol.
ChatGPT is something I have had to learn how to utilize with my job in digital marketing. I know a lot of people are anti-AI, but I don’t know… it’s the way of the future and I’d rather know how to use it than not.
I feel better knowing you’re also struggling financially. Not that I want you to be struggling! But life is very expensive these days. I feel less like a loser to be struggling, knowing I’m not alone!
Yeah it’s not too fun these days financially. Mainly because everything is getting more expensive and I can’t just raise my prices. Also so many tools one needs these days.
I think you are the first to say you wore tank tops. I still do. Wear one right now. But then it’s around freezing here