I value:

Interesting work, good pay, flexible hours.

Don’t care about:

Moving up a ladder, job title, other recognition or appreciation except in the sense of keeping my job.

I am scattered and more creative than organized in most ways but like the work of accounting and systems much more than “creative” careers. Generally speaking at any job I evolve into the universal backup and people come to me for help with their work, can often see solutions others can’t.

I am literally incapable of doing something I don’t understand, so sometimes slow at the start.

And if I didn’t have to work for money, could live a full and happy life without a job. It’s not something I need, but I don’t mind working either.

Based on my experience and that of my own kids, what worked and didn’t:

Kids are all different so there is not one plan that will suit them all! In general though - K-6 should be half day of academics, half day of electives and free time, they just need to learn to read and do math comfortably, understand the idea of variables and some basic science about the physical world. Grades 7-12 should have science, literature, maths, art of some sort (kid choice - dance, music, visual art, creative writing, something that makes them think in a different way) and some learning about the world in a cultural sense - political geography, history, government styles. Some sort of physical education too - dance or sport for those able, health and gentle movement education for those who are not able, everyone should learn to maintain their bodies not just their mind, they are connected.

The kids of mine who went through the “IB” here got by far the best education of my offspring, but they were also the most naturally academic of the lot so it suited them, understand? The others would just collapse in the face of a program like that! You can’t just force everyone into the same shape.

Good food can be so indulgent and still healthy. When my kids were little I’d get a small container of raspberries at the grocery and eat them in the car to be selfish with them. Just didn’t have much for myself at that point in my life. Those honeycrisp apples are so delicious.

My mornings are indulgent because my days are busy.

No alarm to wake, husband wakes me gently.

Sex every day.

Coffee for work, often from the Cuban place up the street, and slow commute in by e-bike.

I also buy fancy cheese because I love that stuff, and have a large collection of liquors, liqueurs, and some wines, I don’t drink every day and honestly don’t drink enough to bother with anything I don’t love. Less and better is the way.

Sure, but it’s certainly the first thing to try. Get up when you need to, go to bed when you get sleepy. And I do think there is some “7:00” for everyone, some earliest time that can feel good, unless you have a literal sleep disorder, in which case asking the internet doesn’t seem like the best strategy.

How early? When I had to get up at 5, it just sucked no matter what. At 7? Just do it for a couple of weeks until you can be sleepy at 11pm, it will work itself out.

Down here we just have heat pump systems, often without any dedicated heating elements. So in the summer they work by displacing heat out of the house, and in winter are doing the opposite. But can’t work to get the house actually warm if it’s freezing outside, just warmer than outside. And in summer, can’t make it cold inside, but again, makes it colder than outside. It’s enough for most days of the year.

Anyway - these units need twice annual maintenance, plus regular repairs, devices that heat or cool just have to work so hard so much of the time. You can’t neglect that maintenance. Either hire someone or learn how to do it, because it has to be done.