One week in Seattle. It was exactly the time my body and soul needed after a hyper-social reunion week.

Don’t get me wrong — I genuinely enjoyed all the connection and energy. But I’m someone who needs a balance: time with people, and time alone to recharge.

I planned this week intentionally, to slow down and chill in the mountains of Arlington.

Here’s how my week 1,533 unfolded.

1. What I read.

I finished reading What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami.

The quote that stuck with me:

Clouds are always taciturn. I probably shouldn’t be looking up at them. What I should be looking at is inside of me. Like starting down into a deep well.

2. Who I saw.

I stayed at a cottage in Arlington, owned by a friend I’ve known since high school.

The little details I observed:

If I were to describe who she is, she feels like air to me — something that keeps me alive, so constant and essential that I sometimes forget how special it is until I’m away from it. This week reminded me how lucky I am to have her in my life, someone I can feel both together with and alone with.

We laughed about how, 13 years ago, when we first met, neither of us could have imagined being here now. I’m glad we were wrong.

Life has been interesting so far.

3. What I created.

I wrote a review of What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.

Next Week’s Peek — What I’m looking forward to and why

Heading back to my days in Tokyo, this time with a fresh mindset. I feel reset and ready to step back into my life there.

Hope you had a great week.

Catch you next week!