Office Alone

Good post. For work stuff, I prefer to be around people, too. Mostly for the energy it can bring. Somehow there’s more momentum and motivation.

But for non work periods, I enjoy and look for some alone time. I’m only mentioning this because it used to not be the case. When I was in high school and college, I couldn’t be alone. If I was, I’d be so uncomfortable that I’d need to pick up the phone, turn on the tv or the radio. Anything to fill up the quiet. We could read into this a million ways.

But after I bicycled across the US it was no longer a problem. I was 22 when I did this and it was the first time I was forced to be alone (I was the rookie. From PDX to nearly Chicago, the slowest of the 9 women, I almost always rode alone). We’re talking six hours a day or more. Just me and my thoughts. I had a stereo on my handle bars, but didn’t listen the whole time.

It was a huge change for me. And not an easy one to overcome. Shortly after that I had the biggest break up of my short life, and was in a new city where I hardly knew anyone. This is when I learned to do things alone. Movies, restaurants, music clubs, bars, etc.

Now I know you’re not in this same state that I was ten years ago, Sean. But I wanted to thank you for bringing it up because it was a good reminder for me to appreciate how far I’ve come.

Leo, you’re never alone. Even when you’re along you’re more connected than most people. I remember when you was touring the Outback and couple of years ago and you’d know more about my 2 colleagues sitting 10 ft away than I would.

I disagree with Nick here. We’re all alone. In that sense, we’re together. Nothing to be afraid of and certainly nothing to obsess over. Being lonely is something else and yet another human emotion to be fully experienced in the process of growth.

Just read something about growth and the sense of loss that comes with it. I never really thought of it in that way but it’s true. As you move on and acquire more skills, more knowledge, etc., you need to let go and it is this letting go that causes grief and sadness, as temporary as it may be.

Mum,

1st of all - I love you and am glad that you are back.

2nd of all - I think Nick was joking around - ie. Jen seems to always know whats going on at BootsnAll HQ…