mental-health
5 conversations about this topic.
R U OK at Christmas?
I posted this to my work colleagues in December 2022. It was as much for me to set myself up for a break as it was for others. My 18 Days Until I Can Fully Rest was something I directed at myself. Then, in February 2023 I had time off due to burnout. Day 1 - Permission This is the first in a series of posts leading up to the Christmas Break designed to help you get the most of your time out of the office.
The Indicators of my Impending Burnout
In October 2016 I attended a session for HR professionals where the topic of the day was mental wellness. The idea was someone could be mentally unwell but not necessarily mentally ill. The audience were asked to call out signs which could indicate a person was mentally unwell. I had 11/14 and found another 5 when I got home.
Everything, Everywhere, is Too Much
Last night I watched Everything Everywhere All at Once and this morning followed up with a The Terror of Everything Everywhere All at Once, a commentary on the movie by Thomas Flight on YouTube. Listening to Thomas I realised I’m suffering the same malaise the movie puts forward. That is, overwhelm from multiple shifting fragmented and widely different cognitive responsibilities all crying for my attention.
It's (Not) Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas
Around this time each year people start to say how the Christmas/New Year break is just what they need as a holiday. This year it’s different. Everyone I speak too who is working is completely tapped out mentally. It isn’t the usual “end of year” slowdown, but something deeper. I’m not sure a couple of week’s break is going to be enough.
18 Days Until I Can Fully Rest
I’m now down to 18 work days before I get 2 weeks off work over Christmas/New Year. It’s important that I relax and look after myself. It’s tempting to think of all the: Books I can read TV I can watch Movies I can watch Video games I can play Kilometres I can walk Places I can visit Miniatures I can paint Photos I can categorise but the risk is I spend my holiday busy.