Interlude: Recovery Days, AI in Publishing, and the Oxford Comma
Have you ever thought that you just need a "lazy day" when you don't need to do anything on your to-do list?
A few weeks ago, a friend of mine shared that she was feeling exhausted and just needed a lazy day to recoup. But I could sense that she felt guilty for wanting to have a day like that.
I think her feelings are related to how we think and feel about the word "lazy." We associate the word with being unproductive and even not caring about things getting done.
But I think this association is flawed. I think that lazy days are about resting so that we have more energy and motivation to be productive.
So I've decided to stop calling them "lazy days" and instead call them "recovery days."
In sports, recovery days are not just days to "do nothing." They are days to let our bodies rest to prevent injuries and get stronger.
The same is true for our minds. We need recovery days to prevent injuries (like burnout) and get stronger (have better mental clarity).
So when you need a day of rest, think of that day as a needed recovery day. And give yourself permission to build recovery days into your calendar—guilt free.
Now onto this week's round-up...
💌 Round-up
📆 Upcoming in the Redwood Ink Academy
Quarterly Quests Workshop – April 4, 2025
Big annual goals can feel overwhelming. But breaking big goals into smaller quests can make progress feel achievable, motivating, and exciting. Next week, we are kicking off a new recurring workshop in the Redwood Ink Academy. During this interactive workshop, you'll get clear on your most important goals for the next 90 days and map out a plan to accomplish them. You must be enrolled in Scientific Writing Simplified to join.
👓 Reading
AI in SLRs: a tool, not a replacement
"AI tools can streamline SLRs [systematic literature reviews] by analysing large datasets, summarising and grouping data, identifying patterns, and visualising findings – all in a fraction of the time it would take a team of researchers. However, careful attention must be given to how AI tools handle sensitive input data, including confidential content, copyrighted material, and personal information. Human validation remains essential to address potential inaccuracies, ‘hallucinations’, omissions, and bias produced by AI."
Generative artificial intelligence (GAI) usage guidelines for scholarly publishing: a cross-sectional study of medical journals
"Although most medical journals provided their own GAI usage guidelines or referenced external guidelines, some recommendations remained unspecified. For example, many journals did not address whether AI can be used for data analysis and interpretation, or whether authors should conduct fact-checking. . . Additionally, journals with lower SJR scores were less likely to provide guidelines, indicating a potential gap that warrants attention."
🖥️ Watching
The case of the missing Oxford comma. Are you for or against its use?
This Instagram post by @englishenjoyed is an entertaining skit on why the Oxford (or serial) comma "is not just a flourish—it is a guardian of clarity."
💬 Quote
The most powerful productivity tool ever invented is simply the word "no.” – Shane Parrish
💭 Thoughts
Editing while writing is like driving with the emergency brake on.
Thank you so much for reading.
Warmly,
Crystal
