#BreakThings: Small Mercies

11.17.20

This morning, I found my focus wandering to Instagram, e-mail, news sites, and the like. Suddenly, I looked up and it was 10:00AM. Where had the time gone?

It’s become increasingly difficult to focus these days. So I decided to try the breathing exercises from Career Contessa that I posted in #BreakThings a few weeks ago.

My focus improved remarkably.

In a chaotic world, where everything feels out of control, it’s easy to forget that there are small things we can do to improve our lives. Something as simple as five-minutes of breathing exercises can clear out the cobwebs and bring us back to focus. A quick walk, a snuggle with a pet, a phone call with a friend may seem small, but they can make a big difference.

If you feel off track today, choose one thing that you’re going to do for yourself — a favorite beverage, a hot bath, cleaning up your workspace, calling a relative, etc.. Sometimes you just need a little something of your own to bring you back to life.

When I was growing up, it was common for people to talk about “women’s work.” But what was the real value of all that cooking, cleaning, errand-running, and child-rearing? According to the nation of New Zealand, a lot.

Instead of pursuing “equal pay for equal work,” the Kiwis are looking into compensating people based on the value of their labors. It’s an interesting way to address the gender wage gap.

Cecilia Payne, like so many women (esp. women in science), had her greatest discovery stolen by a man. Most of what we know about the composition of stars and the universe was first postulated by her, and yet, she isn’t widely known. Let’s change that.

I need to replace a pair of heirloom diamond earrings that I lost, but I don’t want to run the risk of losing another valuable pair. So I bought these Asscher-cut Diamonique earrings from QVC. They’re a fabulous size and have a very sophisticated look. You can find them in .50ct, 1.00ct, and 3.00ct styles.

Looking for a quick, fun breakfast? These bacon, egg, and cheese hand pies are satisfying and delicious. I also recommend serving them at lunch with a simple salad. They’re a great sandwich and burrito alternative.

When I was sick last week, I wanted to be cozy all the time. Sadly, I have a job that requires that I look presentable for Zoom calls. This Banana Republic coatigan was a lifesaver. Cozy, comfortable, warm and with a collar that looks good on camera.

I spent the first two months of COVID working from the couch. It was not great for productivity, it was worse for my mental health. This Bustle article discusses how your work from home setup can hinder your work-life balance, and how to improve it, even if you don’t have dedicated office space.

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