For August. I am celebrating ME by relaxing the stress on my cerebrum and blocking out current events or interesting topics in advanced practice nursing. My words are lighthearted and contain simple, fun facts. I have reached a milestone in my editorial career, writing my 200th editorial this month. From July 2005 to August 2022, there are 206 months. Editorials written by invited guest NPs have filled only a few pages over the years, and not as many as I would have liked. I often state that the monthly deadline for my editorial (which I rarely make) comes around more quickly than due dates for monthly bills. At an average of 650 words for each editorial, the 200 editorials represent approximately 130,000 words, 6,500 to 8,700 sentences, and 260 pages of text single-spaced or 520 pages double-spaced (fully a healthy book length). Of course, I used a nonscientific method to calculate these numbers: a Googled online source. The time needed to write 130,000 words is estimated at about 54 hours on a keyboard or 108 hours with handwriting. I do not handwrite much anymore, and the 54 hours is grossly underestimated because of my routine when writing an editorial: think-think-think; decide on topic; start-stop-change topic-start again-stop; take many breaks; start again; eventually focus; finally complete; submit. This repetitive cycle is ingrained at this point. To read 200 editorials would take an average of 7 hours while reciting them would take an average 16 hours, depending on how fast you read or speak. The wonder of numbers.
Class reunion
I attended my 50th class (undergraduate) reunion in June. Once I reached campus after a 6-hour flight delay, I was transformed back into that teenager who started college in fall 1968 amidst high tensions across the country on race and "civil rights." Now in summer 2022, as author Jarod Kintz said, "Some things change, and some things stay the same. The things that change are the things that I wish stayed the same, and the things that stay the same are the things I wish changed."1 If you are old enough to remember the events of 1968, you understand. As the speaker for the Class of 1972, my message to alumni from all classes in attendance was loud and clear-justice and equity for all. That was the serious part of the weekend for me, and the rest was nonstop fun. I had to look at the senior pictures on IDs to jar my memory; time does change some things. Nursing students spent 2 years on campus and ended with 2 years in the big city 70 miles from campus, living at the hospital dormitory to be closer to excellent clinical sites. But looking back, it was all good. What attracted me to the college initially was the beauty and tranquility of the rural campus. Being there for a few days decidedly refreshed my soul. But I ate far too much.
Self-care
Now back to writing editorials. How many more will I write? That is an unanswered question. Here is a little poem I wrote to honor the occasion this month:
200 is a big number
And nights with little slumber
It is hard to say
How I paved the way
To write the text
Not knowing what was next
I've come to realize
That I may be wise
Only to a numbered few
That I hope includes You.
There is approximately another month and a half of summer. Enjoy time with family, friends, and acquaintances alike. Pamper yourself. Mend what seems broken, oil what squeaks, massage where it hurts, forget what does not matter, and revel in what truly delights you-at least a little! Another favorite from Maya Angelou, "Nothing will work unless you do." I think my brain deserves a rest this month; it is called self-care.
Jamesetta A. Newland, PhD, FNP-BC, FAANP, DPNAP, FAAN
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF [email protected]
REFERENCE