Post-flu thoughts: Future-proofing?

I was hit by a flu bug a little over a week ago.

It came after a period of sleep anxiety, the effects of which I still feel every now and then. My immune system was probably pretty low after a few days of non-sleep, thanks to an inconsiderate neighbour from upstairs. Despite multiple attempts to communicate, they continue walking like elephants and randomly dropping items on the floor at all hours of the day and night, and early in the morning.

This isn’t going to turn into a rant about inconsiderate neighbours, as much as I’d like it to be.

I just wanted to write some of my thoughts down while I was ill.

I still had to go to work, though for 1.5 days, when the fever finally showed up, I couldn’t anymore.

Because of the vast amounts and varieties of remedies, the symptoms (apart from the fever) were very mild. Even the dreaded post-cough rarely comes up. I usually suffer from a post-infection cough for at least another week or two.

I was reminded, during the illness, that, though my colleagues were mostly understanding and tried to help, I cannot stay in a state of work responsibility forever.

I would certainly hope that I stay in good health for the rest of my life - and should probably be more proactive in ensuring that this is the case.

That said, there is an increasing urge to work in a less-stressful up-and-down way.

I actually asked an AI platform to analyse and make suggestions based on my preferences, skills, and limitations. Some of the suggestions are extremely useful. I intend to follow at least some of them.

Because I have not fully pondered and considered all the information, I’ll delay talking about it until a future post. This one is just an update - a much-needed one.

Acknowledging the Gains, Working Towards Reclaiming the Losses

Now that the pandemic is slowly fading into a memory, I find myself missing a lot of its effects.

Sure, it was not an easy time for me in terms of work and finances, especially considering the nature of my work. Still, I very much enjoyed the enforced separation.

And it somehow resulted in me being where I am now. I likely won’t be here doing what I’m doing if not for the entire episode.

In numerous ways, life has improved - well, mine, at any rate.

And yet, there are certain aspects that haven’t. I’d say they have diminished or deteriorated quite a bit.

It is, perhaps, time to do something about this.

I don’t think it will be an easy path, but I’m confident that improvements can be made. I just have to take one step at a time.

Too Many Tasks, Not Enough Brainspace

It's hard to do any single task properly when your mind is upon a few different things at the same time.

There are, perhaps, some who have a larger brainspace, and they are able to handle multiple trains of thought without tiring quickly.

I suppose it's possible to expand one's capacity, though I wonder if the expansion has a ceiling.

Knee-jerk Reactions, Better Safe Than Sorry? Consider the Consequences First.

Knee-jerk reactions over the unknown.

Like a child adamantly refusing to enter his own room until the light is switched on, it's a self-preservation mechanism.

Behind it is a bit of the old adage, "better safe than sorry". And it's understandable.

Nobody wants to put themselves in potential danger.

And yet, there are consequences to every reaction.

It will be prudent to consider them.