Dear Together Friends, Fans, and Family,
Living in the DC area is a bit. . . chaotic (or gut-wrenching? heart-breaking?) right now. A plane tragically fell out of the sky just a few miles from my home, I have researcher friends whose cancer studies at the NIH are paused, a cousin whose memos are leaked to news outlets, and I’m torn between wanting to drop out of civilization and live off the land using all my Girl Scout Troop Leader skills (hey, I was born and raised in a gas station in a town of 400 people in rural Maine, after all) to searching for some radical resistance groups (my dad dropped out of college to be a Freedom Rider in the 60s, so I come by it honestly). Because neither of those options seems practical or available to me right now, I’m just a human out here trying to do her best to help make the world a better place through CALENDARS?! (Oh, and Together Teenagers!)
In the midst of the chaos that so many of you, us, our students, and our constituents are facing (especially noting how many of you serve some of our country’s most vulnerable communities), I’m continually trying to make sure my calendar is reflective of my deepest priorities – and then some. Here is what this looks like for me:
- Using my weekend time to continue local community work. I just joined the Board of Directors for Girls On the Run-DC, an organization near and dear to my heart (that works to give scholarships to girls who cannot pay the program fees), and we have a Saturday retreat this weekend. I spent several years as a coach when my daughter participated, and I’m the odd duck who doesn’t mind fundraising, so. . . .
- Offering my time generously to others. May I recommend Rent-a-Toddler? We babysat my cousin’s 2.5-year-old this past weekend (because she had a WEEK at work, and I wanted her and her husband, a school leader, to have a brunch date), and there is quite honestly nothing cuter than a toddler playing Just Dance in the basement with a bunch of Semi-Together Teenagers. Also I’m glad I never got rid of our Legos. ALSO SINCE WHEN DO 2-YEAR-OLDS KNOW HOW TO PEEL ORANGES?
Yes, Russell the Cat is on the table. Relax people.
- Blocking buffers for my daily interactions. I definitely can have a bit of an efficiency vibe when in the grocery store, checking the mailbox, and doing errands, but I’m trying to build in more buffers. For the 6 AM hello to the gentleman who checks me in for my Thursday swim at the county pool (he loves a chat) to leaving extra time in the volleyball carpool to greet each parent to telling someone at the pharmacy that I love her shoes. This means blocking out time beyond what is needed for just the task at hand.
- Making time for radiant joy. I know radical rest is a thing, and I know deep work is also a thing, but may I offer radiant joy as another flow opportunity? For me, this is usually an outdoorsy and/or athletic event of sorts, and while my couch is often very tempting, an afternoon snowshoeing, or training for upcoming open water swim events gets me out of my head for a bit.
- Deepening relationships with my people. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by extended family (fun fact, I’m the eldest of a pack of 10+ cousins between the ages of 19 and 47!), lots of wonderful friends near and far, a best friend that I speak to on the phone at least twice a day, four teens and a lovely husband (#2, if you are a new reader, also someday I want to start a series of semi-humorous essays about blended families. Interested?). Anyway, this looks like finally getting a sister trip on the books this spring, ensuring our family’s annual summer trip to Maine sees as many people as possible, and expanding our epic St. Paddy’s Day Party.
I recognize this list is not a lot, and it doesn’t contribute to structural change in the short term. But, it does mean my calendar is reflective of what matters to me – community interactions, spontaneous delightful conversations, and ensuring I am steady enough to keep giving back. How about you? Are there any ways you can enhance your calendar in this particularly chaotic period? Tell me more here. And if you are wallowing a bit, I offer you this.
#clipboardsandclogs #togetherforever
MHM
Top Together Tributes
Creative school scheduling? Anyone? Some companies are trying out four-day work weeks and other creative schedule arrangements. I’m REALLY curious how creative scheduling has been tried in schools. We know a few schools that have late arrival and early departure days for staff, another with sabbaticals in place. We would LOVE to highlight any creative schedule that supports teacher retention. Talk to me here or reply to this newsletter!- Tidy Time to ring in the new semester? By this time of year, you know what is or isn’t working for you. Take some time (maybe even set up a polish week if you’re able; I cannot give that level of time) to reexamine and reset your systems to finish out the school year strong. Or maybe it’s time for a good old fashioned Tidy Time?
- Sometimes I put off intimidating tasks, even if I know they won’t take long. Some folks are setting up “Scary Hours” for themselves to complete their looming To-Dos. I’m looking at you, frightening tax form, at you calling the exterminator, and at you scheduling four cats to the veterinarian. Anyone want to join me in saying their Scary Things aloud over here?
Creative school scheduling? Anyone? Some companies are trying out 
