Home » Archive by category 'AT PLAY' (Page 10)

AT PLAY

For the home enhancers, the foodies, the wanderers

Sheltering from media sensationalism…

Hello, lovely readers – first up, how are you? Safe and well and settling into this new self-isolating way of life? My heart is with you all.

Like most of you, I’m now working from home, currently from the dining table of the lovely Silver-Fox’s apartment on the coast. Surrounded by work-related detritus, headphones in; my work pivoting to 100% virtual delivery within weeks of the COVID-19 alert. Semi-retired, the poor man feels the need to vacate his own home to give me video conferencing privacy. This is the new norm. Similar stories the world over as we settle into partner, children, pet co-oping.

Until recently, I had been observing how humanity went about managing the physical, mental and emotional elements of social isolation with relative dispassion. No kids or pets to consider, comfortable with my own company, healthy, cared for, life looking easy compared to so many out there battling the ramifications of the pandemic. Then last Sunday I awoke in a miserable ‘we’re all going to hell in a basket’ mood, no doubt thanks to an overdose of media sensationalism. Fuelled with a mental bitch slap, a cuppa tea, and a compassionate conversation with the Fox, it was then that we made a pact – to focus only on the positive. Here’s where I started:

Finding calm in an ocean of uncertainty…

That view of the Gold Coast skyline from my work station. – ocean to the left, a canal below and Harbour Town, the Dublin Docks Pub and Dan Murphys in the foreground. The once packed car-parks now empty, except for Dan’s. Dan’s still making a roaring, albeit socially distanced, trade. God bless Dan!

The new commute – bathroom, kitchen, work station. – the rush hour replaced with a leisurely breakfast, work-suitable tops over leisure-wear bottoms, and bottomless cups of tea.

Seeing the faces of the entire national team on video conferences. The intimacy of working with colleagues in their personal spaces, meeting their pets, children, partners, parents, learning of their favourite tipples during virtual Friday happy hour drinkies. More connected than ever, despite the real world ‘disconnect’.

Gaining a deeper understanding of my team’s personalities outside the work-place environment. The socialite, grappling with solo living and an anxious dog. The single dad, coaching his sensitive teens on the differences between fact and sensationalist reporting. A husband in lock-down in another country, another in another state with borders closed. A young mum, building a work routine around two little people demanding 24/7 parental attention.

Long evening walks on the wide semi-empty beaches while savoring deep conversations, gulping the crisp ocean scented air, attuned to the cry of the seagulls, the feel of sand between toes, warm ocean ripples tickling the ankles.

Perfecting the putt on the St Andrews Golf Course – aka the mini Putt-Putt assembled along the lounge floor. The 19th hole bar, aka the fridge beer offer. Assembling the Wii – released from hibernation, dusted off and ready to provide some old fashion exercise and even more amusement.

Actively seeking out good news stories, kind words, good deeds – humanity at it’s best. Marveling at the Venetian canals, now so translucent, you can see fish thanks to the cessation of water traffic. The air clear above China. The social media shared positive images, good news stories, hints, and tips for home-schooling kids. The Mum teaching her grade two kid the grade four curriculum, the result of an accidental download. Folk having virtual parties, work teams showing up in crazy outfits.

Not to mention, a kindle loaded with books, iPhone with calming, meditational apps and Spotify sound-tracks, a fridge full of healthy food, oh! and enough loo-rolls to last another two weeks. As well, a considerable interest in what our world might look like post-pandemic.

Stay tuned for the next blog which will feature a round-up of people’s book, movie, Netflix marathon recommendations, apps and everything calming I can think of.
Meanwhile, drop a line in the comments box to share your coping ideas.
Stay safe lovely people. x

Kicking ‘to-do’s’ to the kerb

Well, hello, there lovely peoples. Do you love a good old ‘to-do’ list as much as me? I have a tidy little app called ‘Reminders’ which pops up on all my devices serving as a constant…well… ‘reminder’ of all the things I haven’t done. As I stare at it, the angel perched on my left shoulder gently chides…tick off those pesky items, and you can have that glass of Champers sweetheart. The devil on the other swishes his tail and mutters ‘Nah!…pour those bubbles bitch, the list can wait! Yep, it’s time to kick those ‘to-do’s’ to the curb!

Pour those bubbles sweetheart, the list can wait!

Tired of listening to the two of them bickering, I realised drastic measures were required STAT! Always growing, never completed, my lists an essential element of both work and leisure yet oh! So exhaustive. Well, according to entrepreneur Robyn Scott, it doesn’t have to be like this.

Instead of an endless list of tasks, Robyn has a sweet little trick that will completely change how you think about your to-dos. Her suggestion? Make your tasks emotional – create a few categories that appeal to how doing that task makes you feel. For example: “highly helpful” for introductions and advice-giving, “basic decency” for thank you notes and keeping promises, or “massive relief” for tax returns and booking travel

Alex Cavoulacos’ A Mind-Blowing New Way to Think About Your To-Do List‘ (The Muse) suggests making the emotion dramatic. Alex uses headings like ‘triumphant,’ and ‘massive relief,’ for she finds this increases the allure. She also experiments with fun and fear. States or emotions on her list might be positive, or she’ll use terms like ‘avoids a physical and psychological meltdown,’ and it works for her.

‘Kick my Ass’ – kicks procrastination to the curb!

Well, I adopted their suggestions lovely readers. ‘This Week’, This Month’, ‘Goals’ and other mundane titles that blurred into one endless nag have now morphed into a bunch of fun expectations. ‘Reputation Saving‘ takes care of RSVPs, thank you’s, non-urgent responses. ‘Ass Kicking’ kicks exercise procrastination to the curb and ‘Culture Craving’ creates a ‘must book’ that art, theatre, musical event. ‘Money Grabbing‘ gets the coffers topped up with voucher claims, refunds and tax time preparation. ‘Soul Nurturing’ reminds me to take time for me – a massage, facial, coffee with a friend. And more.

My procrastination significantly reduced, and a satisfying tick against each of my emotionally focused items…oh wait? Did I hear the gentle popping of a Champagne cork?

2020 – it’s all about work AND play!

Well hello lovely readers, welcome to 2020! It’s gonna be a good year, a good decade, don’t you think? And Indulge Divulge is here to help make it so. Designed to nurture in both work and play, this year, the blog will focus on self-love – looking after YOU. 

If your inner dialogue is no longer enamoured with the ‘I work longer hours than you do’ badge of honour, isn’t it time to stop, pause and reflect? After all, burnout and the associated mental health issues only benefit your Psyche and Doctor, not you, your loved ones or your employer. Soooo…let’s start by looking at finding a little more self-nurturing balance here, OK? 

One of my work colleagues enjoys exercising her artistic muscles. Digital, paint, acrylics, charcoal, pencils, crayons, Instagram layout, you name it. So much so that she consciously puts aside time from her work and a demanding young family to focus on this, her form of self-nurturing. It’s meditative and gives her creative satisfaction, reflecting in her family interactions and work. 

Having an enjoyable hobby—whether creating a patchwork quilt for your bestie’s new baby, hitting the ski slopes of Japan’s latest resort or practising pirouettes in ballet class—there are all sorts of well-documented benefits, from lower levels of stress to increased sense of belonging and purpose. As proven by my colleague, hobbies can make you more focused and enthusiastic when you’re on the job, and, depending on the hobby, the associated skills you gain can also make you better at your job.  

So, having a hobby that you love can do good things for your life and your job, but what if you don’t actually have a hobby you enjoy? You’re not alone. I frequently hear from transitioning candidates ‘I don’t have any hobbies other than ferrying the kids to and from theirs, my life just feels like all work and no play’. Sadly, ‘all work’ didn’t keep them their jobs now, did it? 

There are plenty of people who don’t have or don’t know how to find a hobby. But that doesn’t mean they can’t find one. Whether you’re 25 or 85 years old—it’s never too late to hop on board the hobby train! Here are a few strategies you can use to find a hobby you truly love.

1. Transform existing pleasures into a hobby

Even if you don’t have something that you consider a hobby, you’ll have activities that you enjoy. Chances are, there’s a way to transform these into a full-fledged hobby. I like to ask my candidates what they enjoy doing for fun. Such things as ‘eating’ or ‘watching sports’ could easily be turned into hobbies such as ‘taking cooking classes’ or ‘joining a hockey team.’

Have you watched every stand-up special on Netflix…twice? Try taking an improv class. Is your favourite part of the day playing with your dog? Try volunteering with a rescue organization. Love reading about random pop culture facts on the internet? Try joining a trivia team.

My example? I love writing, and I love to travel. My blog actually originated from a desire to write about my travels. In turn, this means I know how to build websites, and I’m good at helping people articulate their brand in written form – both beneficial to my job. Figuring out how to build off the things you already love to do is the easiest way to find hobbies that you’ll enjoy—making you a better, more well-rounded person and employee. 

(more…)

1 … 8 9 10 11 12 … 86

close

Enjoy this blog? Please share the love...