Finding Motion in the Middle of the Meh
A foggy week, a new challenge, and a reminder of how far we’ve come.
Sweat, Samosas, and a Little Perspective
When the week feels off, sometimes you just have to move through it.
This week’s Dad Diary:
Work’s been testing my patience, but a new challenge, a birthday celebration, and a few cups of perfect chai reminded me that motivation doesn’t always come from the desk. Sometimes it comes from movement, family, and a well-timed samosa.
Work has been… well, let’s just say it hasn’t been lighting any fires lately. I can’t quite put my finger on it — maybe it’s the uncertainty floating around both inside and outside the office — but the motivation tank has been running close to empty. I keep showing up, doing what needs to be done, but it feels like I’m walking through fog instead of purpose.
So, instead of waiting for clarity to find me, I decided to move. Literally.
This week I kicked off something I’m calling the “90 Hard.” You’ve probably heard of “75 Hard,” but I figured — why stop there? My version includes:
90 days of no alcohol (though at 18 months sober, I’d say I’ve got a bit of a head start),
two workouts a day, one of which has to be outdoors (luckily, Jasper treats being outside like it’s Disneyland, so I’ve got a solid training buddy), and
a consistent diet (with family visiting and trips to India in the mix, the Indian diet wins by default — no complaints here).
The hope? To clear out some frustration, find my footing again, and set my sights on the next big goal.
But it wasn’t all sweat and reflection this week — we also had reason to celebrate!
My partner’s birthday landed right in the middle of everything, and she wanted to try this spot called Karak Chai Café for tea. And let me tell you — this wasn’t your average “grab a quick chai and go” experience. The samosas were crispy perfection, the chai was out-of-this-world good, and you could actually watch them make your food. It felt like a little slice of home and celebration all at once.
Saturday brought a full schedule, too. We made our way to the temple (on her birthday, no less), though the visit was short since they were setting up for a wedding. The in-laws joined us afterward for Jasper’s 18-month checkup — and our little guy is doing great. Happy, healthy, and growing faster than I can process.
Later, we swung by our old house, just down the street. Standing outside, I told my partner how special it felt to see it again. That first home holds so many memories, but it also reminds me how far we’ve come since those early days of figuring everything out.
Sunday wrapped things up with another trip to the temple. It’s always a bit of chaos trying to get everyone ready and out the door, but once we’re there, surrounded by familiar faces and good energy, it all feels worth it.
So yeah — work may be murky right now, but life? It’s still full of things to be thankful for.
Especially for my amazing, loving, birthday girl partner — the heartbeat of this whole story.
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See more stories, reflections, and behind-the-scenes photos from our family adventures here: