December 31, 2025
Sat on the porch on Oak Street this morning with my coffee and watched Mrs. Kaplan walk her dog, the brown terrier with the short leash. Same route, same pace as always. There's comfort in seeing that routine continue.
December 30, 2025
Dropped the kids at Jefferson Elementary late because I couldn't find Olivia's permission slip. Found it folded inside a notebook in my work bag after I got home. Took a breath and let it go.
December 29, 2025
Forgot my headphones on the A train this morning and almost panicked. Ended up just sitting there listening instead — two people talking about dinner plans, someone humming quietly. Got off at Bedford feeling calmer than I expected. Maybe I didn't need the headphones today.
December 28, 2025
Stayed up too late scrolling again, telling myself I'd stop after one more thing. But I also finally sent that message to Jake that I'd been avoiding all week. Both happened. I'm choosing to remember the message.
December 27, 2025
My granddaughter Emma called from her dorm at college in Vermont. She talked about her classes and how cold it's been there. I could hear her footsteps while she walked outside. I wrote her name here because I want to remember this version of her.
December 26, 2025
Dinner was frozen pizza from Trader Joe's. Ate it standing at the counter while the kids argued about homework. No one complained about the food, which honestly felt like a win.
December 25, 2025
Accidentally waved back at someone on the sidewalk this afternoon — they were actually waving at a guy behind me. I froze for half a second, then pretended I was adjusting my hair and looking at my phone. It didn't work. We made eye contact, both smiled awkwardly, and kept walking. I laughed about it for the next block.
December 24, 2025
Late train. Window fogged.
December 23, 2025
Back-to-back meetings from 9am until almost 3 at the office in SoMa. Ate lunch at my desk without tasting it. Stepped outside onto Howard Street between calls just to breathe for five minutes.
December 22, 2025
Ran into my old coworker Maya near the grocery store on 4th Ave. We only talked for a minute, but it felt strangely easy, like no time had passed. Walking home after, I kept thinking about how familiar people can stay.
December 21, 2025
Made soup tonight with carrots, onions, and leftover chicken. No recipe. Ate it slowly while listening to the radio. It tasted better than expected.
December 20, 2025
I felt quietly proud of myself tonight, sitting on the couch after dinner. I answered an email I'd been avoiding, didn't snap during a tense conversation, and still went for a walk even though I wanted to skip it. It felt like progress I don't need to announce.
December 19, 2025
Commute home on the 38 bus felt endless. Traffic on Geary barely moved. Listened to the same podcast episode twice because I zoned out the first time.
December 18, 2025
Watched the sunset from the Target parking lot in Burbank. Just sat in the car before driving home. The sky was pink and orange. It felt like a pause I didn't plan on.
December 17, 2025
Opened my calendar to check tomorrow and immediately closed it. That's future-me's problem.
December 16, 2025
Thought about an older version of myself while waiting in line for coffee. Not with regret — just curiosity. I wondered if they'd recognize me now.
December 15, 2025
Mom called on my walk home. We talked about groceries and what she's cooking this week. Hearing her voice while passing the park felt grounding.
December 14, 2025
Somewhere around 2:30pm, in a meeting I didn't need to be in, I had a clear thought about quitting everything and moving somewhere quiet. It passed, but it was there.
December 13, 2025
Spent way too long Googling my plant again. Every article says it needs 'bright, indirect sunlight,' which still feels like a trick. Moved it closer to the window and hoped for the best.
December 12, 2025
Neighbor waved from across the street while I was getting the mail. We didn't stop to talk. It was enough.
December 11, 2025
Had an idea in the shower about a side project. Nothing clear yet, just a direction. Didn't write it down anywhere else, but it stayed with me all day.
December 10, 2025
Looked at my to-do list tonight and realized it was shorter than yesterday's. Still unfinished. Still okay.
December 9, 2025
Was telling a story at dinner and realized halfway through that I'd mixed up the order of events. Stopped, laughed, and started over. Nobody rushed me. That felt kind.
December 8, 2025
Answered emails most of the afternoon and felt like I wasn't actually doing anything. Then a client named Mark replied with 'Thanks, this helps,' and it stuck with me.
December 7, 2025
Took a longer walk down Maple Lane today because my knees felt okay. Went farther than usual.
December 6, 2025
Sat on the couch after dinner to watch one episode and woke up an hour later with the TV still on.
December 5, 2025
My son Leo said broccoli looks like little trees at dinner and made himself laugh. I almost missed it because I was tired. I caught it just in time.
December 4, 2025
Watched the news for a bit, then turned it off and put on an old jazz record while I cleaned the kitchen. That felt like the right call.
December 3, 2025
Wrote this sitting at the kitchen table, in the same chair I've used for years.
December 2, 2025
My brother Paul crossed my mind while I was folding laundry. No reason I can explain.
December 1, 2025
Missed my workout again. Took the stairs at work instead and decided that counts today.