Letter 34: Reflections From the Road (MSP to IAH)

Rogue Humans is a weekly newsletter digging into the challenges of life in the modern world of work and beyond.

What I’m reading: Nora: A Love Story of Nora and James Joyce by Nuala O’Connor. Getting in all the Irish reading I can. Also Weyward by Emilia Hart, and it’s good witchy fun.

What I’m listening to: This amazing band a friend of mine introduced me to this weekend called Kraak and Smaak. Fun! Dancey! Fantastic!

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Today is Mother’s Day. If Mother’s Day is tough for you, please know I see you. For those who have lost mothers, lost children, or have estranged family, I know this day isn’t easy.

This is the first time I’ve traveled for work since last November. It’s been 7 months, which for me is quite a while since I flew every single month of the year last year. This kicks off the summer and remainder of the year with plenty of adventure time.

So, I’m headed to Houston and once again loaded with all my standard things: my layers for the plane where I’m always freezing, water and a nitro cold brew (also known as my emotional support beverages) and always with emergency snacks in tow.

I’m teaching two workshops this week on how better behavior builds a better culture, and most importantly, what can that look like when you’re following things step by step.

On top of that I’m ALSO giving a talk Wednesday to about 30-50 people on psychological safety and why it matters during Mental Health Awareness Month.

I love this stuff, and I’m so lucky to be able to do it for a living.

And while I’ve been hankering for some face-to-face time with colleagues and clients and I always have a good time in Houston, life sometimes throws curveballs and doesn’t give us a lot of mental runway when complicated things are going on at home.