Strategies for Fighting Lethargy & Burnout, May 2021 Newsletter

Hi friends,

I’m writing this newsletter because I put in on my checklist today. Do you still use checklists (if you ever did)? I had completely forgotten about them as a functional life tool, but I am finding them quite inspiring at the moment (and by inspiring, I mean I have been doing things all day since writing one).

Based upon this last paragraph, you may have noted that I’m trying to edge out a bit of lethargy, which is described well by this New York Times article “We Have Hit a Wall” (subtitled: “confronting late-stage pandemic burnout, with everything from edibles to Exodus”). My favorite quote is from a woman featured in the article who shared that despite her best efforts, she keeps finding herself “falling back into deep pajamaville.”

Yes, I think so. This “deep pajamaville” is a place I have become familiar with.

So what am I doing to shake the dust?

Here is a list of strategies for fighting burnout and lethargy that are working for me.

1. Making checklists and marking things off said checklists.

2. Buying and arranging flowers and keeping my house clean.

3. Listening to smart, funny podcasts about people and culture—not violence, news, or serial killers.

4. Sudoku.

5. Movement, outside when possible.

6. Watching “Shake the Dust” by poet Anis Mojganey.

Do you have any lethargy-mitigating tips? Send them my way and I’ll add them to my list.

In exchange, I’d love to have you join me for a “shake the dust” themed First Friday Meditation from 9:00-9:45 on May 7. You can register here, and all of the details and the Zoom link are here.

Take good care, and I hope to see you soon.

Warmly,

Brandi

P.S. Looking for a new podcast? Here is a list that combines the unique blend of brain stimulation and not-too-dark pleasure that I need at the moment.

Here are some podcasts that aren’t too dark.

• Decoder Ring: Decoding cultural mysteries like the Cabbage Patch Kids Riots and Jane Fonda workout videos with empathy and insight.

• Still Processing: Providing funny, smart cultural analysis of content including Lil Nas X videos and Marvel movies.

• Maintenance Phase: Telling the story of past and current wellness trends like Biggest Loser and Moon Juice with a critical journalistic eye and a sense of humor.

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