Not Making Excuses vs Accepting Limitations

This week I’ve had to say “no” to a lot of opportunities I would’ve liked to say “yes” to.

I’ve found myself feeling a sense of guilt both because I feel like I’m letting people down and I’m not able to do as much in a week as others around me seem to do.

Our work culture tells us not be a person who makes excuses but accepting the limitations of life’s seasons is healthy. This is what my seasons of life life is right now:

  • My wife is at work or on call 84 hours per week.
  • I have a two-year old and a baby on the way.
  • My nearest family member lives two states away.

Instead of feeling guilty, I’m trying to focus on this:

  • I am a quality developer and demand for my services is higher than their supply. This is a good thing and a testament to the quality of work I do.
  • I get to spend a lot of quality time with my son every week and experience his joy as he discovers more and more about his world.
  • I am supporting someone I love as they launch a new phase of their career.

My parents are in town this weekend so we’ve got a weekend of Fort Wayne planned — the zoo, the farmer’s market and a Tincaps game with fireworks!

Made my 2,000th check in on Foursquare / Swarm this weekend. I don’t use the social aspect much, I just love having a log of all the amazing places I’ve been over the last 8 years.

We’re halfway through the new season of Stranger Things and loving it! I have no idea how they’re going to resolve all of this in the next 4 episodes. ?

Road tripping with the dog to North Carolina. Stopped in Ohio for a short but intense hike in Scioto Trail State Forest. ? ?

Dog on hiking trail

Having a kid has definitely increased my post-4pm coffee consumption at the office. No more coming home from work and just crashing!

It sadly looks like it’s going to be a short playoff run for the Pens this year. Isles have completely outplayed us in every part of the game this series. ?

Traveling to southern Oregon / northern California this week for a family wedding. Planning on driving up to Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument on our free day Thursday. Anyone been and have any travel tips? ?

Making an extra cup of coffee this morning after staying up late last night shooing a bat out of our bedroom!

Tough week with the old house. The only steam radiator condensate line that went under our basement floor sprung a leak. Repair work around other super old piping caused subsequent leaks. Fortunately, everything is back in order now as temps have dropped below freezing again.

I love our old house and neighborhood (and being close to the center of the city) but this was an expensive week!