Rentrée (Sep. 1 '25)
Even though I'm no longer on an academic calendar, the child is and work sort of is, and we're all in back-to-school mode. My rentrée started slightly early with various meetings to prep for the academic year ahead. And then the child returned to school, and now extracurricular activities are beginning.
The transition from summer to fall is intense, but we aren't starting anything new this year (at least not yet), which is a relief. Or rather, I should say that the child isn't starting anything new. I started a couple of new volunteer activities. I have three ongoing commitments, and I actually told someone that I am "at capacity and can't take anything else on right now."
I am really trying to break things down and to take breaks.
Over the long weekend, I did my day of errands and cleaning and otherwise rested: I went out with some neighbor friends, caught up on my current slow read (Proust), watched some soccer games, did a bit of embroidery for the first time in months, and rearranged parts of my study (again). I'm still trying to figure out how to fit every activity into the space, because it's part functional office for work but also a reading, writing, and craft space. I also need to take more breaks to move.
I got a walking pad soon after I first set up my office but realized that I hate walking while typing or reading, so I moved the small treadmill to the basement and returned to my traditional desk setup. But then I stopped using it. I don't watch much television except for some games, so I didn't have a reason to go to what's really our media space, and it was in the way, so we kept sliding it under the sofa, which meant extra effort to pull it out and set it up. I finally found a spot in my study (I think) for movement breaks. We'll see. I hope. My body is rebelling from sitting so much, and while I walk outdoors when I can, I need longer chunks of time to do so and want an option for short breaks during the work day.
I was glad to have some time this weekend to get my head and my space together. The week ahead is short and packed, and I expect the fall will be intense. We'll all need our outlets.
