THE COOP

Last week, my new therapist asked me “How do you cope?” Confused at first because I wasn’t sure what she was implying about what I needed to cope with, I started listing strategies I implement weekly to survive the fast moving machine that is Duke. I described to her that my most serene state was probably walking the Al Buehler Trail and listening to “The Daily” or “Hidden Brain” in an effort to escape the Duke bubble. Something about even passing local Durham residents on the trail walking their dogs or spending time with their partners gives me the peace and sense of normalcy I seek. But, I couldn’t seem to think of anything else I rely on regularly to take advantage of the rare moment I carve out for myself at Duke. Sometimes I even find myself worrying that even when I do find a pocket of free time, I am not using it productively enough. In fact, I often find myself sitting at my desk, neck contorted, staring at Instagram Reels and before I know it half an hour has gone by. What else could I do in half an hour? That is what I am seeking to answer, and I have asked experts more knowledgeable than myself.