It’s become my routine to start work from home in the morning, then head to the office around lunchtime and stay through the late afternoon. This way, I avoid the morning rush and don’t have to line up for coffee.
The downside of this is that by the time I commute, the sun is directly overhead — mercilessly beating down on my head. Unless I’m at the beach, this kind of relationship with the sun is anything but fun.
Here’s how my week 1,539 unfolded.
🎥 What I Created
Projects:
A business-focused piece on the lessons I’ve learned about career growth.
Story behind it:
Last week, I walked out of the most effective 1-on-1 growth conversation with my manager since she became my manager. I feel like over the past half a year, I’ve learned how to work with her, and now I’m able to see more clearly which part of my career I want her to be involved in.
This piece is both a self-reflection on that journey and a way to share my personal advice — in case anyone finds themselves facing the same struggle.
🏃 How Much I Ran
Distance / Time:
29.57 km / 3 hours and 23 minutes
Body & mind notes:
The spark of indoor running has been especially strong this summer. From the treadmill by the window, I watch outdoor runners grimacing under the harsh, blinding sunlight — their faces twisted in the heat.
📚 What I Read
Book / Article / Podcast:
Finished わたしたちが光の速さで進めないなら (If We Cannot Move at the Speed of Light) by Kim Cho-Yup.
Quote that stuck:
そのなかでウナは、いつになく鮮明に見えた。母がまだ生きていたとき、ジミンは時折母がふっとそこから消えてしまいそうな気がしたものだった。母と一緒に住んでいた家には母だけの部屋がなかったことを思い出した。(In the midst of it all, Una appeared more vividly than ever. When their mother was still alive, Jimin would sometimes feel as if she might suddenly vanish into thin air. She remembered how, in the house where they had all lived together, there hadn’t been a single room that belonged solely to their mother.)
— A reflective passage in which the daughter, Jimin, recalls her mother, Una.
🤝 Who I Met or Spoke To
Who:
A colleague of mine who used to work at the Tokyo office. This was our first coffee chat since he relocated to Paris. It was morning for him and afternoon for me.
Memorable moments:
The 30 minutes flew by. I could tell he’s genuinely enjoying his new role. I admire his open and ambitious mindset. Through working with him, I’ve learned so much about focusing on what’s within my control and staying optimistic about the future.
🔭 Next Week’s Peek
Looking forward to:
Honestly, spending more time writing. I’ve been collecting aromatic candles as my secret writing companions.
Why it matters:
If you’ve tried, you know — focusing 100% on writing (or anything) is incredibly challenging. I suppose it’s a bit like practicing Zen: trying to concentrate fully on not thinking. Mastering that kind of focus is my goal.
Hope you had a nice week.
Catch you next Sunday!