Even AI Takes a Break From Time to Time
What's up with that, right?
I really wanted to come up with a snappy title for this week’s newsletter. However, I’ve been crazy busy (hate that term, but it applies), so I decided to use Chat GPT to get things rolling. But when I logged in, I got a strange message from the aliens:
“System unavailable now. Come back later.”
What-what??? Was AI on spring break? In the loo? Having some work done?
Call me crazy, but I didn’t think artificial intelligence took breaks.
Well, that marked the first time I’d ever been wrong, so there I was…back to the drawing board.
As I sat down to write, I glanced over at my to-do list and the whiteboard in my office that I use to write down tasks. There’s so much going on now that my to-do lists resemble a menu at a 24-hour diner. The only thing is, there’s a problem with my list.
I’m out of potatoes.
Can you imagine what a diner would do if they had no potatoes? No hash browns, comforting mashed potatoes, and worst of all… no FRIES.
The 2 a.m. crowd would not be happy with this.
Something would be off if a diner had no potatoes. Sure, there’s plenty of other tasty and (really healthy) food on the menu, but the lack of spuds would throw a serious glitch in the system.
Newsflash - I’m not out of potatoes.
But my to-do list has been missing an element that’s as important to me as potatoes are to diners. And drunks.
Scan my list, and you won’t find my usual daily activity - the one that calms my mind and gives me the endorphins and power to handle anything.
R-U-N.
I’ve been taking a break from running after I twisted my knee one millimeter in the wrong direction in a yoga pose. It’s been a little puffy, so I’m taking it easy.
But here’s the thing.
Laying off running disrupts my flow.
And I know, I know… it’s good to slow things down every now and then. I can’t run forever. It’s good to take a break.
I can hear the slow-down advice pouring in… with my parents leading the choir from heaven.
But I’m not a big fan of slowing down.
So this week, What I’d Rather Be Talking About is the fact that even though we don’t always love the idea of slowing down or stepping away from our daily routines… it doesn’t have to be the worst thing in the world.
Plus, let’s face it, we don’t always have a choice, so when we need to take a break, we might as well find ways to enjoy it.
In the meantime, I’ll keep dreaming of fries.
Abbey
LISTEN:
Detail Therapy with Amy Landino. I recently discovered Amy’s YouTube and podcasts, and absolutely love all of her business and life tips. “Become the Person You Want to Be” is a great one, no matter what your situation is.
I’ve been talking about manifesting a lot in past episodes. This week, solid advice on “How to Create A Vision Board (That Actually Manifests!)” in the Dream your Life podcast. Yes, please.
WATCH
I’m totally obsessed with Mind Your Manners on Netflix. “International etiquette teacher Sara Jane Ho helps people become their best selves through good manners in this heartwarming makeover series.” Watch the trailer on YouTube.
As long as we’re on the theme of “working on ourselves” and productivity, I really like this take on habits by a YouTuber named Michelle, whose channel is muchelleb. Check out “10 One-Minute Habits That Save Time & Create Happiness.”
BUY
Everybody’s got “that friend” who researches the heck out of something before purchasing an item. (I usually just turn to that person anytime I need purchasing advice and go with their take…) Well, Amanda in YouTube Land is that person if you want to know “10 Wardrobe Staples for Classic Spring Style in 2023.” She actually backs this YouTube up with research, which is something I never considered with fashion. Amanda really did her homework.
Speaking of researching. Our dishwasher died a few weeks ago. Here’s how my husband and I did research on our new model. We googled “top-rated dishwasher,” found one, and then read the comments of people who had purchased that particular model. It took about ten minutes. Maybe not the smartest way to purchase a major appliance, but I’ve never loved a dishwasher more. It’s quiet and efficient, has three racks for all sorts of things to wash, and the dishes come out clean as a whistle. (I’d highly recommend the Bosch 100 Series, FYI. Plus, my sister got a new Bosch around the same time we did… glowing reviews from her end as well. So if you make purchasing decisions based on two sister reviews, we’d say get a Bosch.)
PONDER
This one’s going to be short because I’m preparing to step out of the office myself… as in taking a bit of time away from the newsletter. Discover why it’s good for all of us to step away from work and find out why it’s good for our brains and also our mental health (plus get tips on the best way to take a break).
ON A SERIOUS NOTE
I started the newsletter by talking about slowing down and taking a break from running. For you, taking a break could be from work, a relationship, a habit… a million different things.
Whatever your break looks like… I hope it leaves you refreshed, recharged, and ready to tackle whatever great stuff you have on the horizon. So, please don’t forget to take those breaks… because if we don’t, we’ll be too exhausted to enjoy the good stuff.
Like fries.
Keep it real, friends.
Abbey