This week, I had to rearrange my schedule and juggle priorities. It was a bit overwhelming. Once I had a plan, it instantly got easier, even though it’s not all entirely resolved.

I think sometimes we talk about wanting answers when really what we want is to know what to do next. A perfect example of this is trying to tackle a big project, such as cleaning out the garage or closet, then standing in the space and getting more overwhelmed by the minute. Once you, or someone, else decides a single task, then the next one usually reveals itself. And so on, and so forth.

I decided once I get this current plate of tasks all settled that my next step would be to sit with an empty plate for a bit, then add one thing at a time. At least, that’s the plan. It could easily all change tomorrow.

Wherever you are on your to-do list and however you’re navigating all this uncertainty, I hope you can give yourself 10 minutes to reflect on all that has happened so far this year. If your experience is anything like mine, it’s a lot—and mostly unplanned. Still, It’s encouraging to see what I’ve accomplished and builds my confidence that I can handle whatever comes next.

Until next time, stay safe, be well and be kind!

Employment Data

If you’ve filled out job applications at any point in the last 60 years, you likely had to self-disclose your gender, race and ethnicity at the end of the application. That information was collected as part of workforce demographic information employers submitted to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

The agency tasked with enforcing anti-discrimination laws in the workplace voted 2-1 on July 21 to rescind the data collection requirement. The proposal is now in the 30-day public commentary period before final approval.

The decision has prompted the kind of responses you would expect from the political parties, so I’m not going to repeat their arguments for or against. However, I do think it is worth remembering the impetus to collect this data.

For the past 60 years, the EEOC has required companies with at least 100 employees or federal contractors with at least 50 workers to submit a yearly EEO-1 form. Even if they are no longer required to submit annual EEO-1 reports, many employers will likely still maintain workforce demographics records, because they could still be investigated by the EEO or face future lawsuits or litigation.

Read more here.

Gen Z’s Work Ethic

When I saw this story in my morning New York Times newsletter, I instantly realized that it was going to unleash a storm of comments, and that I was going to sit with this one for a while. Both proved to be true. In one day, this piece racked up 2,850 comments before being closed.

I’m still not sure how to sort through my feelings for Generation Z, those approximately ages 14 through 29, and the youngest generation in the workforce. One thing is for sure, though: They are certainly not buying the myths that previous generations clung to.

And you know what? I’m sure some millennials and Gen Xers are out there wondering what good it did to go to college, put work above all else or conflate their identity for their occupation. Maybe these were questions we needed to ask but didn’t, for whatever reason.

There are so many notable and thoughtful insights from guest essayist Emi Nietfeld. The one that struck me, as a reader and as a millennial, is this observation from Nietfeld:

“While talking to students, I found myself questioning my own choice to worship at the altar of work. I wrote much of this article on weekends, sometimes while my toddler begged for me; I have chronic pain triggered by sitting too long; I don’t know how to turn off my drive. Before talking to these students, I never really considered what ‘success at any cost’ actually cost me.”

I recently talked to my parents about how clean my grandmas kept their homes. I’m not just talking about no traces of dust on surfaces or omnipresent vacuum lines. My grandmas regularly wiped down walls, cleaned windowsills, dusted sconces and chandeliers, and all those other hard to reach, detailed surfaces. I bemoaned that I can’t replicate what they did.

It was surprising to hear them say their moms regretted so much time wasted on keeping house. My dad gently explained that on their deathbed, people don’t wish they spent more time cleaning—just like they don’t wish they spent more time working.

Maybe we, as a society, are all coming to the same realization that we need to rethink how we spend our time. Whatever *this* moment is that we’re experiencing but can’t quite put a name to, it’s prompting an entire generation to rethink, reframe or reconsider their future. I, for one, am excited that Gen Z has the benefit of learning this sooner rather than later, because I strongly believe we all will reap the rewards.  

I highly encourage you to read Nietfeld’s essay here, then read through some of the comments.

Jimothy the Racoon

I don't like when I see a raccoon rooting around my home but when I’m having a rough day, I will watch this video of a raccoon politely going through the drive-through. I guess you could say I have respect for their hustle, but I prefer to admire from afar.

Given my proclivity for cute animal videos and trash pandas, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that I, along with millions of others, have become enamored with Jimothy, the little raccoon that could.

Recently, a Seattlite was strolling around Jimothy’s neighborhood when she spotted him and decided to record a video of the little guy. She wasn’t sure what the diminutive, round creature with a stump of a tail was, until he turned around and revealed his distinctive band of black fur around the eyes. That four second video has unleashed a frenzy.

Hall’s upload has inspired Ballard neighbors to share their own Jimothy sightings. In one video, someone says “You got it, whatever it is!” Honestly, isn’t that the kind of energy we could all use right now?

Laura Exley, the owner of a local tattoo shop that is getting requests for Jimothy tattoos described him as reliance personified. “He’s dealing with life a little bit differently, and he seems to be fine,” she told KING-TV. “And I think that resonates with a lot of us.”

I love how this raccoon, thought to have short spine syndrome, has become a source of joy and inspiration. If you haven’t yet caught Jimothy fever, here are articles from The Seattle Times, The New York Times and Smithsonian magazine to get you started. Bonus: Many of these have embedded videos, though a quick search on Reddit and Instagram will also reveal more. They might take you down a raccoon hole. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.