courtesy of Elisabeth
This is week 4 of Elisabeth’s F.I.G. Collective – Finding Joy in Gratitude and the month of finding little daily joys is coming to and end. It’s been a rough week month for me personally and finding F.I.G.s, therefore, was hard – I am not going to lie. But I guess it is a particularly helpful exercise to look for little silver linings when things are not going well.
February 22
We drove back home from Southern California today, I got to sleep in my own bed again (hooray) and I received a sweet note from Julie in the mail, which made my day!
February 23
I slept in and woke up without an alarm. What a luxury!
February 24
Today was our RTO (return to office) day and our center had planned a pizza lunch to welcome everyone back. It was a weird situation, but the cameraderie was very much needed today.
February 25
This week has been a lot and I was just happy to collapse on the couch in front of the fireplace tonight. It’s so cozy and calming to just listen to the (fake) crackling of the fire.
February 26
I had a very productive day at work (do you hear me fEl*n?). That is worth mentioning because this can’t be taken for granted these days. There is so much distraction and confusion every day right now.
February 27
I went to happy hour with co-workers and we had some fun conversations around “Chat pack” questions (have you heard about chat packs?). Sometimes you just have to tune out the world and have a fun time learning random things about your colleagues (no worries, we also talked about our work sitaution, as to be expected right now).
February 28
I participated in the economic blackout today. It might not matter much in the grand scheme of things, but it felt good to resist.
The highlights of this month were
- reading everybody else’s F.I.G.s. It’s been so lovely and uplifting to find out where others find joys in the day-to-day.
- the baby owls outside my office window. Seeing them grow has been a delight.
- sweet notes from (far away) friends. They’ve truly been lifelines this month.
Thank you so much, Elisabeth, for organizing Find Joy in Gratitude this month and for sharing the round-ups every week (Week 1, Week 2, and Week 3). It’s been wonderful to read about others’ little moments of joy, which in turn helped me to look for little joys in my daily life. Let’s do this again sometime!
J
February 28, 2025 at 8:49 pmI love that one of your FIGS was a free pickle. I mean, what’s not to love about a free pickle? <3 Hang in there, we're all rooting for you and your team. (both your work team and your family)
Birchie
March 1, 2025 at 5:38 amWhen I heard about the “5 things you did this week” email, I had two thoughts. First I wonder, but not very much, what Elon’s list of his 5 things is. Second, I had the thought to write a “5 things I did for my mental health this week to cope with the stress of work” list.
Technically I participated in the blackout, although you could make the argument that I wasn’t going to buy anything anyway. But hey, it’s the thought that counts.
Yay for baby owls!
Lisa’s Yarns
March 1, 2025 at 7:07 amI’ve been thinking about you as I know you were so very impacted by what’s going on with doge. Your work from home arrangement must’ve come to an end. I hope you can keep your four day work week!
I capped off the month of February with an awesome day with Paul yesterday! I did not participate in the economic blackout because we had this plan to celebrate his birthday together but most days I don’t spend any money and I’ll participate in future blackouts!
Tobia | craftaliciousme
March 1, 2025 at 11:56 amThe sound of a crackling fire is so so calming. I wish we had one. I used to turn one on at the tv but that image burnt in and the husband was not amused. now we have a new tv and I can not use the fire. Sigh….
Elisabeth
March 1, 2025 at 4:54 pmThanks for sharing a month of FIGs! I know February sucked – in so many ways – but I hope these tiny glimmers of joy or relief or fun offered a bit of a respite from ongoing challenges.
Yay for baby owls <3
Melissa
March 1, 2025 at 6:35 pmI can’t imagine the stress that everything going on in the world is causing you since you are so close to it directly impacted. I’m glad you were able to celebrate these little JOYS. Baby anything is always a good distraction, and baby owls especially. It looks like your exercise regime is standing you in good stead in this stressful time.
ernie
March 2, 2025 at 10:45 amI’m glad that the Fig project has helped you during a challenging month. I love reading about the time with friends doing a chat pack and spending time together. I’ve been thinking of you – hope you stay upbeat and positive. xo
Jenny
March 2, 2025 at 2:25 pmIt really was genius of Elisabeth to start this FIG project now. We really needed to focus on good things during this, ahem, challening time. Hang in there- sending all the love and support <3
Stephany
March 4, 2025 at 5:04 pmUgh, I’m sorry you had to RTO and I hope you’re able to have some sense of peace during the turmoil that this administration is going to bring. Thinking of you and sending you lots of love!
Daria
March 5, 2025 at 11:51 amThis administration is doing what they want and how they want it. Ao much apathy, and I am guilty of it.
I remember when the US had it’s economic crisis back in… what, 2007?… and federal employment was of the most stable job out there! Even more stable than teaching. A new person was just names to lead the Dept of Ed, and who even knows what will happen to public schools…
Anyway, sorry you’ve been dealing with so much turmoil. I’m thinking of you.
You did a good job looking for small moments of joy- figs. I agree, this was a much needed initiative and I’m glad I participated albeit on some days it was really hard to see the positive.
Nicole MacPherson
March 6, 2025 at 4:43 amSo glad you were able to find glimmers in the darkness, San.
Anne
March 11, 2025 at 3:09 pmI’m in awe of you and your ability to find the figs in the darkness. I’m glad you and your co-workers connected, that you had time in front of your fireplace, and that you also participated in the economic blackout. We’re doing what we can. Hugs, my friend. <3 I hope 2025 lightens up somewhat for you, and soon.