Cubicle Notes

A brief reflection from earlier today

Dear Treasure,

I’m typing at my cubicle eating pretzels. The work day is easing to a close and I’m lingering, enjoying a moment of pause after a long day of meetings.

The other day I had coffee with an old friend. We sat across the table from each other with plated butter croissants and little cups of black coffee. Later in the day, I met with a new friend over a second cup of coffee. I think sitting with people is one of the best things in the world.

And recently, I’ve made more effort to meet my neighbors and get to know the people around me. It’s been such a sweet and fun experience so far. More than ever, I want to make myself more available. I used to think it was better to be and look busy. But now I’m enjoying being free.

I’d like to be free to sit down with a friend, free to watch a cat, free to get up from my cubicle to grab a cup of coffee with a coworker, or just free for a spontaneous walk around the park after dinner.

Photo by Art Institute of Chicago on Unsplash

Lately, I’ve been taking more walks at the park with my neighbors around sunset. I listen to birds soaring overhead, children laughing and playing on the wide open field, and families and friends chatting together on cozy benches. It reminds me of the things in life worth fighting for—those beautiful pockets of peace beside the people we are so lucky to love.

What have you been reflecting on this week? 💌

Thanks for being here,

Ash

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Some things I’ve been enjoying lately:

Podcasts-

• A Little Bit of Optimism by Simon Sinek: Why Awkward is Awesome with Psychologist Ty Tashiro

• The Diary of a CEO: The Exercise Neuroscientist with Dr. Wendy Suzuki

Non-Fiction Books-

• Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence by Dr. Anna Lembke

• Work: A Deep History, from the Stone Age to the Age of Robots by James Suzman

Fiction Books-

• Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout

• The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane by Lisa See 📚

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