𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨 𝐏𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝐇𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐭𝐫𝐥 + 𝐀𝐥𝐭 + 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞

While finishing yesterday's Patio Pondering, I noticed my computer acting glitchy. It lagged as I typed, dropped letters, and switching between windows wasn’t as seamless as it should be. It hit me: my computer needed a reset, a restart, a good old Ctrl + Alt + Delete.

And that got me thinking: how often do we need to hit that same reset in our own lives? Are we paying close enough attention to our mental state or physical wellness to recognize when we’re lagging, freezing up, or running too many tabs at once?

Recently, a friend of mine found themselves in that exact situation. They had been in the same role for years and were great at it. But over time, the stress piled up, their energy shifted, and the spark was gone. Conversations with colleagues didn’t flow like they used to, and their patience with customers began to wear thin. Eventually, they realized it was time for a reset because they no longer had the enthusiasm to serve their customers the way they expected of themselves. Their version of Ctrl + Alt + Delete was stepping away, leaving behind the steady routine and paycheck to find something that would help them thrive again. It took guts. But through honest reflection, they knew they couldn’t keep going the way things were.

I also think about a company I know that’s going through a different kind of reset: an organizational one. Leadership made the difficult decision to shift direction, restructure teams, and, unfortunately, eliminate some positions. It’s a tough Ctrl + Alt + Delete, and it’s impacting teammates across the organization. These resets are painful, especially when people are affected, but from the company’s perspective, it’s the restart they believe is needed to bring a new vision to life and move forward.

These moments are never easy. But they’re often necessary.

So the next time life starts lagging, ask yourself: is it time to hit reset? You don’t have to crash to reboot. And if you're stuck staring at the screen, unsure of what to do next, reach out. Sometimes, all it takes is a friend to help you press the right reset buttons to refresh.