I LOVE this! Finding joy in monotony is the secret sauce to life, in my opinion. There are vastly more small moments in our lives than there are big moments. It’s so easy to overlook them, but then look at how much JOY you miss!
This was so joyous to read! And yes I truly truly have a hard time separating my identity from my work, I am teacher and some days that’s all I feel like when.... I should feel all of the things and let myself have more than just that including being a dog mom of big ole Saint named Atlas
Love the post! But as a native New Yorker who commutes to work on the subway everyday - LOL at “The train car smells like fresh showers, perfume, and coffee.” - more like urine, cigarettes, and body odor
I find this is VERY dependent on the train you take. Any train that goes into midtown smells like pee. I live off the G to the 7 which is always pleasant!
I was a teacher for 15 years and it was very hard to separate work and home life. I would often see my little students with their parents out in the world, and I would have to turn on my teacher self then. And I can honestly say that I hid idown the grocery store aisles some days!
Finding beauty in common, ordinary things takes mastery and you were able to put it in a beautiful manner in this entry. Thank you for sharing what felt like an invitation to value the simplest of tasks
I love the way you write about New York. Your perspective puts the reader directly into your experience and it makes me feel the city. Your Substack never disappoints, Isabel!
Isabel, glad to hear you enjoy the small pleasures of the morning also. Each day I specifically take an 8 minute drive on a country road before my hour on the Jersey Parkway, just to decompress and enjoy the beauty of it all, making a point to look in different directions to see new scenery. It fills me with such joy.
Whichever companies you are freelancing for are very fortunate. It's clear you give 110% - from writing, to photos and to how you capture and describe all of Simon's shenanigans - so I am sure that translates to the brands you are promoting. A job ending is never easy, but now all these other brands get to benefit from having you be part of their team! They are so lucky and I am sure they know it! :)
I’ve spent my career in human services, often in roles that are emotionally draining and/or have an on call component. Separating work from home has been a struggle - until the pandemic and working from home. It’s weird but my now permanent work (mostly) from home has given me the best work-life balance I’ve ever had. I think it forced me to be intentional about separating the two things. I’m much better about taking breaks and setting limits around working early/late/weekends. My dog helps - walk breaks force me to step away, as does her coming into my office right before 5 every day for our long walk. Stopping to play with her is a great stress reliever too. I never thought working from home would be a good thing but it really has been.
I LOVE this! Finding joy in monotony is the secret sauce to life, in my opinion. There are vastly more small moments in our lives than there are big moments. It’s so easy to overlook them, but then look at how much JOY you miss!
I couldn’t agree more. There are so many beautiful, small moments in our days that are so easy to look over
This was so joyous to read! And yes I truly truly have a hard time separating my identity from my work, I am teacher and some days that’s all I feel like when.... I should feel all of the things and let myself have more than just that including being a dog mom of big ole Saint named Atlas
Atlas is the bestttt name ever
Love the post! But as a native New Yorker who commutes to work on the subway everyday - LOL at “The train car smells like fresh showers, perfume, and coffee.” - more like urine, cigarettes, and body odor
I find this is VERY dependent on the train you take. Any train that goes into midtown smells like pee. I live off the G to the 7 which is always pleasant!
I was a teacher for 15 years and it was very hard to separate work and home life. I would often see my little students with their parents out in the world, and I would have to turn on my teacher self then. And I can honestly say that I hid idown the grocery store aisles some days!
My mom did the exact same 😂
Finding beauty in common, ordinary things takes mastery and you were able to put it in a beautiful manner in this entry. Thank you for sharing what felt like an invitation to value the simplest of tasks
What a beautiful comment! 🥲
This makes me miss all the trips to NY I took in my 20s. There's really nothing quite like it 🥰
Also, I'm crossing my fingers for the senior lady. I'd love to see how Simon reacts to a sassy old lady.
Same! He needs someone to put him in his place
I love the way you write about New York. Your perspective puts the reader directly into your experience and it makes me feel the city. Your Substack never disappoints, Isabel!
New York is my biggest muse 🥰
Aw!!! A sweet senior!! That would be great💖💖
I know right!
Isabel, glad to hear you enjoy the small pleasures of the morning also. Each day I specifically take an 8 minute drive on a country road before my hour on the Jersey Parkway, just to decompress and enjoy the beauty of it all, making a point to look in different directions to see new scenery. It fills me with such joy.
That is so lovely 🥲
Love the idea of fostering a senior dog 🩵
ME TOO ❤️
Beautifully written. I ❤️ visiting NY😊
It’s the best 🥹🥹
Whichever companies you are freelancing for are very fortunate. It's clear you give 110% - from writing, to photos and to how you capture and describe all of Simon's shenanigans - so I am sure that translates to the brands you are promoting. A job ending is never easy, but now all these other brands get to benefit from having you be part of their team! They are so lucky and I am sure they know it! :)
Oh you are so kind to say this 🥹
I recently visited New York for the first time as an adult & was blown away by how welcoming & inclusive it felt. Your writing resonated.
That has ALWAYS been my experience. We may be blunt and fast moving but always kind and accepting
I’ve spent my career in human services, often in roles that are emotionally draining and/or have an on call component. Separating work from home has been a struggle - until the pandemic and working from home. It’s weird but my now permanent work (mostly) from home has given me the best work-life balance I’ve ever had. I think it forced me to be intentional about separating the two things. I’m much better about taking breaks and setting limits around working early/late/weekends. My dog helps - walk breaks force me to step away, as does her coming into my office right before 5 every day for our long walk. Stopping to play with her is a great stress reliever too. I never thought working from home would be a good thing but it really has been.
That’s wonderful! I also think working from home has allowed me to take more of a step back. Work/life balance is a HUGE priority of mine
Old dogs are so special 💙
I agree! I hope it works out ❤️
I hope you enjoy it!