1/ All my life I have worked in cycles. Intense effort in one specialization followed by a repeat in another.
Working out different part of the brain every few months or years.
A few years with CS, followed by a few years as an actuary. Two years as an author than a film maker
2/ As I have gotten better the cycles have gotten shorter and more intense. Now it's a few month of regulatory reporting work, 15 days as a writer, a month of intense road running, a week as a trsiner and then repeat.
3/ The variety and context switching makes it possible for me to keep the output above the mean.
And it ensures that I don't have the time to think about boredom.
The problem is when burnout hits it's equally intense.
The last time was 2015.
4/ I could no longer write.
Luckily we had just sold our tech piece to a partner and the earn out had a pre sales component. I spent the next 3 years traveling 120k km a year.
Didn't have time to think. Travel was a change. I learned to swim all over again in hotel pools.
5/ This year has been particularly hard. The conventional exits for stress - movies, travel, vacations, eating out are no longer there. Work is more intense.
My coping mechanisms for handling stress are failing one by one.
But one thing still works like a charm. A morning run by the creek with the sun rise on your right.
Two of these a week and I can carry on for a few more days.
I had been running in the lanes through out Covid.
Today was a special treat.
6/ I run for the sunrise and the sounds of silence.
The city is still, asleep. Between the slap of the sole of my shoes on the road and the whisper of wind lies a zone of sanity. It's my refuge.
7/ Can't wait for Sunday. Rest, recover, refuel and try the course again - this time with speed.
Share this Scrolly Tale with your friends.
A Scrolly Tale is a new way to read Twitter threads with a more visually immersive experience.
Discover more beautiful Scrolly Tales like this.