Finding JOY in a Slush Puppie

Last week I said I’d share our research into ways of making hybrid work within organisations, but with the week we’ve had—Omicron tidal waves, WFH guidance, canned Christmas parties, and Mr Big and his Peloton—let’s save the worky stuff to January and focus on JOY.

As you know, we moved to Winchester this summer and, what with three new schools, selling a place, renting a place, an explosion of work and none of our usual support networks, we weren’t feeling too much of anything good in the early Autumn. (You may remember the Diptyque candle scenes 😱)

We’re not alone according to this tweet that went viral this week from historian Amy Achenbach:

We all know it’s important to find ways to restore our energy, particularly when we’re back to remote working and especially when we tell ourselves we don’t have the time. The research tells us that being stressed is one thing, but not giving yourself space to recover is where the problems really start.

5 ways to find the joy

❄️ Connect

God knows no one needs another post about middle-aged women taking up wild swimming BUUUUUT (stay with me people, I never thought I would write these words) when I saw all those social media posts I totally failed to realise that it’s the very intensity of the experience and the connection with others that makes it a delight.

That is of course if swimming through a slush puppie while your friend shrieks, “WE CAN DO HARD THINGS!” can be described as delightful. It's also a great weekly ritual and weekly rituals are very good for us. Even when it’s snowing.

🧘 Get your move on

I’ve started popping into a lovely, (lovely) yoga studio, which smells of incense, has teachers with beautiful auras and from which I float home and sleep soundly. It is a bit pricier—but I’d rather go less often and love it.

🐾 Find the “Awe”

The ridiculous Covid puppy has dragged us on every filthy walk in Winchester and been a brilliant way to explore the City and its surrounds… a beautiful avenue of trees, the cathedral at sunset, and views over the surrounding hills.

🩺 Discover

I insist you follow Dr Nighat Arif across all social media. She appears on BBC Breakfast and This Morning and is fun, usually dancing, and hugely informative about health generally, but women’s health specifically.

🎁 Be a giver

Smile, say thank you , organise a local event and, if you need to do more, volunteer your husband to help out at Scouts.

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas or festive break and a New Year filled with your own takes on joy. Tell me what you decide to do!

THANK YOU for watching and being supporters. I massively appreciate your messages, comments likes and shares. For any true fans (hi Ma) the newsletter has really taken off in the last few months, so do please recommend it to anyone who you think would enjoy it.

For anyone considering conducting some research next year, drop us a line. We’d love to be able to help.

See you in January 💪

Christine

xx