I took a long weekend for an alumni event at UC Santa Cruz. It was set right in the middle of the redwoods, and yes, the Banana Slug is the mascot for good reason.
And while it was wonderful to see familiar faces, I also came back with a few unexpected takeaways:
1️⃣ Take the weight off where you can.
We used to plan our own reunions, which meant endless emails and coordination. Having the university organize these events? Game-changer. Sometimes you just need someone else to set the “where and when.”
2️⃣ Time off really does matter.
There’s nothing like a long weekend in a forest or along the ocean to remind you that recharging is not optional. It’s essential. And yes, a break from a prescriptive meal plan and exercise can also be needed (though we got our steps in).
3️⃣ Friends are fuel.
Catching up with old friends brought laughter, learning, and a kind of energy you can’t get from a spreadsheet. Relationships like that are worth prioritizing.
4️⃣ Have an elevator pitch, even with friends.
When you see people you haven’t talked to in years (or decades), you need a way to sum up what you’ve been doing. Bonus: Sometimes friends reflect things back to you in a way that feels really good to hear, so if you’re stumped, ask.
5️⃣ Stay curious.
Looking back, I realized how many subjects I never explored. Sure, in addition to my major in Psychology, I dabbled in a minor in art history and economics before landing on sociology, but there’s still a world of ideas I skipped. Lifelong curiosity is underrated.
6️⃣ You don’t have to take on every problem.
Of course, in addition to our praise, we all had quibbles about the event. And our first instinct? Jump in and fix them. But here’s the thing: sometimes it’s not your responsibility, and that’s okay.
It was a weekend of reflection, connection, and a few reminders I didn’t know I needed.
What about you? What’s one lesson you’ve taken away recently from stepping outside of your normal routine? Please comment, I’d love to hear.
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