Monday 4 May 2026 in 2026

Dear A,
Today’s swim was later than usual, so I found myself among a different crowd. The pool was quiet, and I had a lane to myself. Lately, I’ve been improving my technique, even borrowing tips from YouTube “instructors”—like pointing my toes. I try to keep them straight, but my body forgets after a few seconds, and I have to remind myself again. It makes me wonder: will there come a day when my body instinctively knows? For now, it’s a tug-of-war between bad habits and learning. But I suppose, like any skill, it’s a matter of repetition until effort becomes instinct.
I’ve now swapped my old manual toothbrush for an electric one with Bluetooth and an app. It tracks my brushing, telling me if I’m applying enough pressure and when each set of teeth are sparkling. It’s amusing—lights flash, the phone screen sparkles, and I’m left wondering if my teeth ARE truly cleaner. I do all the basics—floss, mouthwash—so my oral health is good. But it’s fascinating how much faith we place in these apps. I’ll be curious to see if my brushing technique actually improves—or if, in the end, it’s just another screen telling me what to do.
Anyway, that’s me for now—what have you been up to?