It’s February!! (?) I don’t know how this has happened.
I returned to work last Wednesday after 10 days holidaying in New Zealand, which consisted of visiting family and friends, threatening to kidnap my nephew and bring him to Australia as carry-on luggage. Normal family stuff.
It was wonderful to reset myself – I didn’t take a real break over Christmas/New Year’s and by January 16 my brain was crying out for some holiday time. There was a couple of times that I realised I was near to stabbing an innocent colleague with a fork (and not a particularly sharp one) just because I needed some downtime so bad. (No need to worry, really the worst it would have gotten was a passive-aggressive sulk in my office while I stewed on a transgression like stapling a document in the wrong place, serious stuff.)
I, like many People & Culture people, am really excellent at reminding others they need a break from work. Some reset time with family and friends to give your mind a chance to recalibrate. I, also like most People & Culture people, am terrible at taking my own advice.
This time I did it and while it did take me 3 good days to get my brain back in the game I feel like a whole new person.
As much as it feels like you can just keep going because you love your job (I know the feeling). Don’t. It’s not until you have a real break that you realise how much you needed it.
During my time off I also made some life decisions – I’m going to re-enter the world of studentdom to complete my Masters – I only have one double semester paper to go, but I can’t figure out yet if this is an incredibly silly or brave move on my part when I’m only 4 months into my new role.
But it’s the year of the rocket! And I’m defining it with being kinder to myself (I have two lots of leave booked before July. TWO!) and getting back on the study bus. Clearly I’m not defining it with excellent English (study bus?) – but perhaps 2017 will be the year of expanding my vocabulary.
The picture is taken from the Taranaki coast in the North Island of NZ
#humblebrag #proudkiwi
Renée Robson 