Hi friends,
The other day I saw one of those Instagram posts that’s supposed to be inspiring but instead sends you into a mild existential crisis.
It said something like: You work 8 hours a day. Sleep 8 hours. That leaves you with another 10 hours to exercise, meal prep, start a business, call your mom, raise a family, walk the dog, and save the world.
Ok, I’m exaggerating. It didn’t say save the world.
And it probably didn’t say 10 hours either. The math doesn’t math.
But I’ve been obsessing over that post, because I swear my brain thought it did say you had 10 hours a day to become the person you’ve always wanted to be.
There are not 26 hours in a day. I know that. I haven’t completely lost it. But for days, I’ve kept asking myself: What do I do with those imaginary 10 hours?
Even my subconscious has been making unreasonable demands of me. 😐
Time feels slippery like that.
Some days I obsessively track every minute, trying to figure out where it’s going. I know I’m doing things… but the question “Am I doing the right things?” (whatever that means) haunts me.
And lately, it’s the bigger sense of time — not the look-at-your-watch-every-five-minutes kind, but the existential kind — that’s been messing with me. I’m in my 40s. I know I still have time… but not as much as I used to. There’s this pressure building: to move. To do something meaningful. To not waste it. To not wait.
The question: “What do I actually want to spend my time on?” feels louder now.
And underneath that question is the real heart of the matter: why?
Why am I doing what I’m doing? What still feels true? What doesn’t?
That’s what this week’s episode is really about.
Today I’m talking with David Franklin, a founder, tech guy, Navy vet, and deeply thoughtful human. After losing his father, David had that realization so many of us have: We don’t have time to waste.
In this episode, we talk about:
Losing passion, and what it takes to get it back
Realigning when your mission and your day-to-day don’t match
The long, messy journey of reconnecting with your why
Grief, mindfulness, and healing on your own terms
And a surprisingly profound story about a turtle (I promise, it makes sense)
This one’s about clarity, courage, and choosing what really matters before time chooses for you.
Scroll down for more on David, some info on a topic I’ve been obsessing about lately (because like I said, I’m in my 40s), a book I’m reading that’s weirdly relevant, and
Cheers,
M
🎧 Prefer Spotify or Apple? Take it to-go:
(And while you’re there - don’t forget to hit subscribe and leave a rating 😁)
✨ About David Franklin:
David Franklin is the Founder and CEO of Naviday Health, a digital health company designing personalized, AI-guided care pathways—starting with menopause—to support women through some of life's most complex health transitions. A Gulf War Navy veteran with over 20 years of experience in technology, David has helped lead two companies through IPOs and brought more than ten products to market.
He’s a graduate of the Harvard Medical School Global Healthcare Leaders Program, a certified mindfulness facilitator, a positive neuroplasticity teacher, and the author of How to Catch a Turtle: An Introduction to Mindfulness.
🧠 What’s Been On My Mind
Did you know that 1 in 4 women say menopause symptoms have impacted their career? And 17% have quit or thought about quitting because of it.
If you're, like me, thinking about what’s coming (or already navigating it), this one’s for you.
My friend Jaqueline Oliveira-Cella (who also happens to be the person who introduced me to David) has done a lot of research so you don’t have to. Her piece on menopause at work is packed with data, personal stories, and really important insights about how this very real life transition is still being treated like a taboo in professional spaces. Especially for women at the height of their careers.
👉 Read the article and maybe even forward it to your boss. Or your HR department. Or both. Just saying.
📚 What I’m Reading
Ok, I’m not one to give book recommendations before I finish them… BUT this one just felt extremely relevant for this newsletter.
I was first drawn to it because of the title (because, of course), but once I saw the existential question at the heart of it, I couldn’t not read it:
In the face of death, what would you give up in order to live one more day?
If Cats Disappeared From the World by Genki Kawamura is a short, thoughtful novel about a guy who finds out he’s dying — then gets a visit from the devil, who offers him more time… if he agrees to erase things from the world. One thing per day.
It’s strange but easy to read, and it really makes you think about what really matters when your time is running out.
💖 That’s all for now!
Sending love to anyone who’s feeling the weight of the clock this week. You’re not alone.
Let me know in the comments what’s been on your mind and if this episode landed.
And if anyone finds those 10 extra hours, please email me immediately.
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