Writing Through A Snowstorm

February Week 4, 2026

Sunday, 2/22/26

When I woke up this morning in my safe, quiet hotel room, all I could think was how grateful I was to have just two jobs today: work on my National Board papers, and move to a new hotel before the snowstorm later today. My husband, parents and in-laws helped me carve out this work retreat, and I’m going to make every moment count.

I’ve been suffering from a severe lack of confidence over this work, so I’m taking a moment right now to summon every ounce I can muster by calling up memories from my past when I felt “joyfully competent,” as I wrote about last week. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Being onstage at a pandemic-era concert, wearing a mask with my students socially-distanced on stage, conducting my first concert in 2 years. The kids sounded incredible; then one student yelled out, “We love you Mrs. Sowul!”

2. The first time I got my firstborn to calm his cries just because I’d figured out the right thing to do.

3. Standing on stage at Lincoln Center and reading “The Band Room” to a hushed audience.

4. All the moments when my students seek me out to give me hugs, hand me “I Heart Band” signs, or deliver me birthday cupcakes.

I think that’s enough for now. I’m ready. I’ll write more tomorrow about my progress!

Monday, 2/23/26

There was a book by Randi Zuckerberg several years ago that told women they could only “do it all” by “picking three” every day. As in: on any particular day, you could choose motherhood, work and friends, but you can’t choose taking care of yourself or doing housework. I thought this was bullshit, but yesterday I decided that even if the overall premise was whacko, she had a point about the scattering of attention and energy. I’m on this work retreat, and all I have to do is work and take care of myself, and it feels so much simpler than everyday life even though the work I’m doing is difficult and time-consuming. My attention and energy is on just two things. It’s like when we take a vacation and I can focus entirely on just my family’s needs and my needs— no work, no home care. This is what my brain craves all the time— fewer inputs! I haven’t been anxious or overwhelmed once since I got here.

I don’t see any way to engineer “picking three” in everyday life unless you have the resources of a Zuckerberg, but in a world that pushes abundance, it’s a good reminder that less is clarifying.

Tuesday, 2/24/26

Another entry in the column for “joyful competence—” Alyssa Liu! Have you seen this performance? I love the story that she’s only doing competing for fun now— literal joy— and that her gold medal win was just a byproduct. That’s my inspiration. Put joy first, and everything else will follow.

Photo by Frank Leuderalbert on Unsplash

Wednesday, 2/25/26

I did it.

I wrote 1 4-page essay, 1 12-page essay, and 7 single-spaced 1-2 page forms to complete my National Board portfolio.

There will still be edits, of course. I have some NB certified friends who will read and comment, and I’ll be reading with fresh eyes and making my own adjustments. There are still attachments to compile, videos to compress, and whatever the heck I have to do when it comes time to submit something like 25 documents and 4 videos.

But for 3 days in a hotel during a snowstorm, I stayed focused, took breaks when I needed to, got great sleep, and I finished.

I feel like the weight of 1,000 elephants is off my chest.

Thursday, 2/26/26

Things that saved my life this week:

1. Marriott hotels. I can’t speak for all of them of course, but the one I stayed in earlier this week was perfect— very comfortable bed, great breakfast, nice gym.

2. The Scrubs reboot, OMG totally delightful!

3. The support I got from my family, parents and in-laws that allowed me to be away without any concerns. (Aww.)

4. Wegman’s bakery items. The chocolate chip cookie sandwich with buttercream in the middle… wow.

5. Calm app soundscapes. They’re so soothing.

Stuff You Might Like To Know

Stay tuned for Sunday, March 1— the new issue of In a Flash is coming out, and it’s incredible. It’s one that I lead-edited, and I was blown away by the piece that landed in our inbox for my chosen theme of “Maps.” I can’t wait for you all to read it.

I’m reading THE ACADEMY by Elin Hilderbrand and her daughter Shelby Cunningham via Audible, and it’s good-not-great. It did entertain me during my drive this week. I have a bunch of great Audible books on tap, and I’m considering deleting my podcast app for the month of March so I can focus on audiobooks and music. I suspect my mental health would improve if I stopped listening to politics shows (but I just can’t seem to do it).

Hey, everyone: if you made it to the end, thank you. You’re one of the good ones, and I’d love to hear what you think. To help our community grow, please comment and share with others.

Keep hoping. Keep caring. Keep trying.