All my papers are late. All my emails go unanswered until a second poke, except a tiny random sample that I answer within one hot second. All birthday wishes are belated. My grants go in late or not at all. Workouts have gone out the window. So have quotas on chocolate.

I’m reading 1/2 dozen novels at odd hours. My kids have unlimited iPad time. Their nails are not trimmed. My house is dusty. I probably owe you a call. I often cope by shopping online for accessories that will startle people in future Zoom calls.

I changed six lightbulbs yesterday and my husband and I agreed it was a highly satisfactory day’s accomplishment. I also decided that censoring myself by not swearing during talks is too much of an extra effort, so know if you invite me I’m swearing unless...

... they send extra sustenance ahead of time (see earlier comment about chocolate) so that I have the energy. Consultations with me are no longer free and I am not going to apologize about that. OTOH I have virtually no bandwidth for mentorship, and that I am truly sorry about.

I cannot tolerate messages about resilience or toughness right now. I don’t need mindfulness tips. I’m not fine, as none of us are, and I’m not short on gratitude either. I feel deeply normal right now. Not a superhero, not virtuous, not exceptional. Just a normal human ...

... humaning normally and am not going to pretend otherwise. Thanks for commiserating.