Multi-tasking is not all we were told it was. Apparently our brains are impaired by it. The thing is, I love music, all the time, and especially when glued to chair. I feel comfort and a sense of belonging. But it can certainly distract me, especially when I am trying to write.

Still, I refuse to give up the soothing companionship of a randomized list of favorites: rock, folk, old style salsa, Daft Punk and the necessary Latin hymns of Carlos Vives and the like. I also love classical music mixes…until the occasional opera aria creeps up on me. It always takes me out of anything I am doing, with chills. You see, it brings back memories of the neighbor that used to wake me up early every Sunday in my teens. Not pleasant.

Interestingly, last year I started with the motto of doing new things and doing things in a different way, you know, trying to not give constant signals of insanity. In spite of my youngster trauma I went to the opera for the first time. It was quite an experience. I finally understood the fascination many feel about it. The costumes and sets are amazing. There is humor and pain. I would do it again. But don’t ask me to also listen to it, please.

This year my motto is to be micro-ambitious. I think Tim Minchin is on to something there. He advocates passionate dedication to the pursuit of short-term goals. So here I am, putting my head down and working (not sure if I would say that with pride, as he suggests; obstinacy is perhaps more accurate) on whatever is in front on me. It has worked wonders, especially to keep up with my studies and, more importantly, my work obligations.

I don’t multitask. On the contrary, I try to make sure I have only one objective for the next couple of hours and move on to another task when I get stuck in any of the many possible ways, by now all too familiar to me. Going for coffee and writing this blog also help, especially to feel human again for a moment.

Right now, end of the day, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds are here with me. The album is “Let love in”. I am going to take it as a signal from the universe to begin the healing after so many battles against shame and guilt…Give life back to music!