Switching Off

This will be a quick one, because I’m going through a particularly busy time at work at the moment, and I’ve barely had time to read, never mind write. I got promoted at Christmas, and my new role has been a big step up. We’re planning some really exciting and big events at the start of March, so I’ve been working some wild hours and have been responsible for an awful lot of things.

It’s obviously a very easy route to burnout, but I’m very lucky to have wonderfully supportive colleagues and managers. Anyway, why am I talking about work on my book blog?

I spoke to my sister yesterday, who until very recently, worked as a film producer at a small Irish production company. She’s used to working busy hours and being pulled in multiple different directions and when I called her to say I was feeling overwhelmed, she told me to take a proper lunch break, watch some reality TV and make sure I went out for my book club outing that evening. I was feeling a bit unsure, as I hadn’t read the book, and I hate turning up like the one kid who hasn’t done their homework.

I took all of her advice; taking the proper lunch break, watching the new episode of Real Housewives of New Jersey (I would kill for Frank Catania) and then going to my book club. I’m so glad I did. This group has been one of my main sources of friendship and support since I moved to Liverpool and a night of not thinking about work, eating amazing food and switching off made such a difference to me. When I got home, instead of logging back on to do more work, I got into bed with a book I’ve been meaning to start for ages, drank tea, ate chocolate and felt like myself again.

For anyone who needs to hear it, take the break, prioritise yourself and be well. Life is hard enough at the moment without us all making it more difficult for ourselves. My evangelising about the power of switching off is hardly groundbreaking, but this week, I needed the reminder.