Oh goodness, Day 50 almost came and went as I try to wrap up some things for spring break. This means that my email will slow down, meetings will cease, and I’ll have some time to catch up on my reading, writing, and others things I have been putting off for spring break. Here’s some things I’ve been reminded of in the past couple of weeks.

1. Don’t be afraid to have difficult conversations with coworkers, partners, friends, etc. You’ll be amazed at the relief on both sides.
2. Never put off things that are really important to you even if you’re not 100% sure you’re ready. Do or Do Not, There is No Try.
3. Listen to music that inspires you; it might even calm you.
4. Get in at least one belly laugh or laugh that makes you cry once a week.
5. Help others when you can and sometimes, without being asked. (Asking for help is hard, so anticipate it in others and model how to do it.)
6. Asking for help is not a weakness; it actually shows strength and confidence and illustrates we’re all in this together.
7. My silence in lots of contexts makes people nervous and says more than I realize.
8. I love teaching, but more importantly, learning from students.
9. I love working with students and faculty on their research projects. (This week I got to see results of several research studies I approved and helped with during the process. Incredibly gratifying to hear about these projects.)
10. Women still face sexism, especially in sometimes subtle ways, which makes it much harder to call attention to it.