Now is the time to enjoy yourself!
It’s the time of year where I can see that grim look of determination to get to the end of the year starting to appear on the faces of colleagues. For those of us in HE and I suspect elsewhere, the last few months have been a juggernaut of activity and new initiatives. The ‘dangling carrot’ of a winter break is now close enough to take us through the next few weeks and if you’re like me, and love all the stupidity surrounding Christmas, it’s going to be a well-earned treat.
Well, it will be if a) I don’t try to do everything I currently have planned and b) don’t feel like I should be doing things (work) when I’m binge watching something. So this month’s LWRSUD is all about enjoying yourself – putting aside that niggling voice that suggests you should be doing something ‘worthwhile/constructive/useful’ and focusing on the things that are arguably none of those things…except you enjoy them! It helps that my post-Christmas birthday is National Chocolate Candy Day, confirming my menu choices for one day. And ‘ruminating’ is going to be the word of the month!
Listen: How to turn off work thoughts during your free time. (TED Salon, 2019)
The bonus about the winter break is that nearly everyone takes it at the same time. Thus, the emails/texts/What’sApps decrease significantly, which you’d think would stop us from thinking about work. However, I bet nearly every one of you have woken up, at some point, thinking about work over a break and that’s it for the next few days. In 12 minutes, psychologist Guy Winch sets out the concept of ruminating - the concept of worrying about tomorrow's tasks or stewing over work and explains three simple techniques to help you recharge after work. I have to say, this talk resonated with me more than most I have watched/listened to over the last few years…checked out and preoccupiedreally rang a bell! There’s so much good stuff in this TED talk.
Watch: How to relax – your call!
I started to work my way through the TED talks, YouTube, iPlayer (other catch up apps are available) looking for advice on how to relax – documentaries about how our brains work or yoga/pilates sessions that I could recommend and then realised the thing I watch that makes me relax the most are fairly innocuous TV programmes. I’m never more relaxed than when I’m on the couch watching Staged or Good Omens (I have a Sheen/Tennant thing), Yes Minister or pretty much any cooking programme. I can hear many of you chuckling now, which just goes to show that I can’t tell you what to watch to make you relax! So choose something that has the same effect on you as any cooking show does on me and go for it!
Read: 25+ Pro Tips To Help You Truly Enjoy Life (Justin Barnes, 2023)
Well! I did not know that there was a Wiki How to Do Everything site (which obviously will need further investigation)! Some of these tips are just a bit naff and also not necessarily an ambition for the winter break….but if you follow the 1st few, I bet they stop you from checking your emails on the 27th!
Sign up to: The Daily Direction
This comes with a health warning! I’ve only just signed up to this and haven’t tried to unsubscribe, but so far the inspirational quotes haven’t been too awful and some have been thought provoking. What I have found more interesting are the blogs, which deal with a wide range of topics focused on things that make us happy, but also things that make us unhappy – and you don’t have to sign up to read these!
Do: Get outside and do something!
I am nothing if not consistent, but any form of physical activity is going to make you think you are enjoying yourself. (Although I do note that last December, I suggested doing nothing). It’s the endorphins! And if you don’t believe me, have a read of this – there are many enjoyable benefits to exercising.
Leigh Robinson
December 2023
Leigh Robinson is a Women-Space Associate and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) at the University of Roehampton.