Let's face it, the past couple years have been hard. Many of us miss the chance encounters, those random ideas you get in a space shared with others. As we get used to new ways of working, my hope is that we will see the person first, remember to be kind and patient with each other, appreciate the joy of collaboration and community, and keep learning and getting better, together.

The pandemic has reminded us of the importance of owning our well-being. We are fortunate that Audible offers a plethora of pertinent resources to help, such as a broad selection of Audible listens on this topic. The Women in Tech (WiT) Well-Being Panel last year offered valuable practical suggestions, and Meet-Free Thursdays enable us to focus.

The weekly meditation sessions provide an opportunity for me to practice with professional guidance. I can focus my mind on the present and quiet distracting thoughts. I also started to incorporate the meditation into my morning and night routines by listening to our Morning and Sleep collections.

The farm to table approach of our food program is key to providing the most nourishing and sustainable foods. I am beyond excited for the return of onsite cooking classes throughout the summer, which is the most wonderful season for buying and preparing local fruits and vegetables.

My morning run gives me a tremendous physical and mental boost, and a sense of accomplishment. It not only prepares me for the challenges of the day, but puts me in a positive mood that helps me maintain and improve my personal relationships outside of work.

It didn’t matter that I forgot Moriarty was Sherlock Holmes’ nemesis. What mattered from these informal trivia nights with my new UK counterparts was the instilled sense of team, from my Brooklyn apartment.