Is this real life?

Over the last few weeks, I made my annual pilgrimage up north to see friends and family in the NY/NJ area (with a few stopovers in between).

It was a rollercoaster of a ride, so-to-speak.

But one of the big takeaways, as it always seems to be, was how much more grounded and connected I am with myself and my attitude towards my life when connecting with the people that I feel supported by.

Most of my closest friends and family live nowhere near me, as I chose to live in the south while many of them are in the northeast. Going a long time without interacting with those important people in my life sometimes takes a toll.

I often get into these funks throughout the year when I feel disconnected.

I can usually dig myself out of them with:

• A video call with a group of friends where we can shoot the shit, be silly, provide life updates, celebrate a milestone, and maybe contemplate one of life’s philosophical questions

• A 1:1 phone call to check in on life

• Sending a quick text or DM on social with something that reminds me of them or makes them chuckle

But all of these pale in comparison to the feeling I get when I…

Drive out to Long Island to see a long-time friend, spending the whole day outside catching up, listening to music, jamming, and eating delicious Italian subs…

Or walk along the water with a buddy in Philly (also on a gorgeous day) with a cigar, getting new views of the Ben Franklin Bridge I had never seen…

Or have coffee and lunch with my entire immediate family (something that hasn’t happened in well over a decade)…

Or throw a frisbee on the Delaware green with several friends from undergrad and grad school…

Or eat a bunch of delicious New-Orleans style dishes and trying some new cocktails (also on a gorgeous night) with one of my Best Men, only to leave the “real conversation” for the 10 minutes we’re standing awkwardly at the car before leaving…

These are only a few examples of how the last few weeks left me feeling recharged, re-centered, and, quite frankly, rejuvenated.

The COVID era plus distance certainly made it difficult to maintain these in-person connections over the last few years, and it was important to me to prioritize seeing the close people in my life, in-person, to keep those connections alive and well.

Let’s Hear from You

So, today, I have two questions for you.

Hit reply and let me know!

See ya next week!

🥯 Bagel 🥯