This week was a mix of meetings, milestones, and moments that mattered: reconnecting with my parents, rediscovering patience, and remembering that a good round of Scrabble can fix just about anything.
Monday
I made it through an RCA call where I barely had to speak a word, even though I’d spent plenty of time behind the scenes making sure last week’s issue was fully investigated and the remediation was already in motion. Some of the discussion was productive; some felt a bit nitpicky—but overall, it went well.
Later that day, I went to visit my parents. We’ve been living in the same town for about five years now, just ten minutes away by car, yet I somehow only see them about once a week. It’s not that I don’t want to—I absolutely love my parents and wouldn’t be where I am today without their support. It’s more that by the end of the workday, I’m often mentally drained and not in the best mood to leave the house. I don’t ever want my visits to feel like therapy sessions where I just unload work frustrations on them. They’re in their mid-70s now, and time feels like it’s moving too fast, so I’m determined to be more intentional about seeing them. That’s the plan.
Tuesday
The day started with back-to-back meetings and some intense Slack conversations that, in hindsight, became the catalyst for a few key decisions I made later in the day. There’s a lot of work to do and not enough hours to do it, but necessity really is the mother of creativity. While I’m not thrilled about the circumstances, I’m confident I’ll figure things out and deliver on time.
I didn’t go see my parents again today, but my wife and I spent some quality time together—just talking and watching a bit of TV. Later, my sister called to tell me that Mom had phoned her, convinced that my visit yesterday meant I had some big news to share. She thought maybe it was work-related. We laughed about it — apparently, just wanting to spend time with your parents can be mistaken for a dramatic reveal these days.
Wednesday
A wall-to-wall meeting day. I didn’t have lunch until 2:30 PM, and by then I was pretty much running on fumes. Between calls, I tried to squeeze in some actual work, but it felt like trying to read a book at a rock concert.
Thursday
Visited my parents again. We played Scrabble, which has become our thing lately. There’s something about sitting around a table with them, making up words and arguing about whether they’re legitimate, that just feels right. It’s low-key, it’s fun, and I get to see them laugh and be competitive in the best way.
Friday
Ended the week on a high note—wrapped up some projects that had been lingering, had a couple of productive conversations, and managed to actually leave work at a reasonable hour. Small wins, but I’ll take them.
Looking back, this week reminded me that balance isn’t about doing everything perfectly; it’s about making time for what matters most. And sometimes, that’s as simple as showing up for the people you love—even if it’s just for a game of Scrabble.
Photo by Eugenia Ai on Unsplash