Hello, colleagues! I am (probably) not your dept chair, but if you need to hear this, let me be your chair for a second: you should block out the time you need to take care of yourself on your calendar this fall. 1/

Plan to eat lunch? Good idea, food is good, and you deserve to eat lunch! Block it off. Going to take a short walk every day? Also a good idea! Block it off. Going to exercise or meditate so you don't scream or cry? Excellent. BLOCK IT OFF. 2/

We can't do a damn thing for anyone else if we don't take care of ourselves. And despite what academic cultures sometimes tell us, it is reasonable to want to eat a meal or take a 15-minute walk or, in general, be actual people. It is especially reasonable right now. 3/

That's all. Take care of yourselves. You're not wrong or somehow lacking in commitment if you do so. Love, your temporary dept chair /End