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Open Thread: How are you?

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Open Thread: How are you?

Check, check, one-two. Check.

Kevin Maguire
Apr 21, 2023
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Open Thread: How are you?

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Friday rolls around once again. How was your week? It’s been six months since we did one of these, and there are a fair few more of us here today. Part of what TNF is here for is to provide a space where dads can share how they’re feeling, no matter how they’re feeling. And we’re past due on a check-up. So, how are you all doing?

Two offers this weekend. Choose your adventure:

Option #1. For the lurkers. Click 1-5.

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Option #2. If you’d prefer to share a little more, click the big blue bottom below, give yourself a 1-10, and tell us why you picked that number.

Right now, I’m a 7.5. (You’re invited, nay, encouraged, to get more specific than 1-5 in the comments.) I’m busy. I’ve been working hard to break myself away from the myth of busy, but I’m feeling stretched. Busy, but without busywork—exciting projects, some of which you’ll be reading about here soon

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. I’m enjoying the stretch—it’s career pilates—marvelling at how things can be energy-draining and energy-fueling at the same time. The sun is out (we’re all just plants) and it’s Sant Jordi here on Sunday, a day the Catalans celebrate by gifting books and roses to each other. My working soundtrack this afternoon is We’re New Here, Jamie XX’s sublime reworking of Gil Scott-Heron, and the three of us just arrived at where the piano transforms into “NY Is Killing Me.”
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Hey, I might be an 8.

Have a great weekend, whatever you’re doing, whoever you’re with. And if you’re not feeling great, there’s a great bunch of dads in these comments who have been in a tough place too (myself included). A problem shared is a problem halved. We’re all nice here; come say hello.

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1

And listening, perhaps.

2

How is that album 12 years old?!

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Open Thread: How are you?

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Open Thread: How are you?

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Bryce Seto
Writes Bird's Eye View
Apr 29Liked by Kevin Maguire

Late to the party, but I made it. Hope there's some pizza left?

I'm okay. Saturday morning. I booked a family photoshoot with my little girls and partner today. We were supposed to do it a month ago, but my partner had a minor surgery. Should be fun, we haven't had good pictures taken in some years and the girls are giants now (ages 3 and 4, no longer babies).

This week has been shaky, a lot of anxiety. My workload seems to keep piling up. I'm in school (doing my MBA), working full time (as a sales and marketing executive), fatherhood, and decided on Monday to start writing again. I wrote about my mental health journey and decided to get really open about it, so regulating through that with feeling vulnerable has been a lot.

It's important to me, though. I think I have a lot to share, and since I lost my mom to a short battle with cancer last year, need a place to process and write. It's easy to get busy and forget to regulate emotions, and writing forces me to slow down and really process my thoughts.

Anyways, sorry for the ramble. You asked. I guess I'm not used to being asked how I am? Fatherhood, am-I-right??

Love what you're doing, Kevin. I'm going to hang out here.

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Péter H.
Apr 22Liked by Kevin Maguire

I’m very low. I’ve had an emotionally draining week due to issues in both my private and professional life. We were also busy preparing for our one week long trip that was supposed to start this morning. We were ready to leave, but my son got sick: fever, vomiting, diarrhea. To make it worse, even if he recovers by early next week, we can’t take him to the daycare, as we already informed them that he will be on holiday and consequently they didn’t order any food for him. Next week will be extremely long, we will have to juggle with him and work again and work at night.

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