Adapt, adapt, adapt

[mizarchivist]

I'm running a panel at a professional conference in a month+ on self-care as an act of resistance. Initially I'd planned on just being the moderator, but we had 2 of 5 panelists drop out, so I'll be adding proper content to this activity. Good times! 


My goal is to suggest concrete things people can do to take care of themselves. Explicitly on things like

• advocate for self, not defer self-care in a work environment
• speaking up against oppressive systems
• addressing micro/macro aggressions

Here are some things I want to share

• Basic work self care
  • Take lunch or lunch equivalent
  • Don't check email on vacation/after-hours
  • Be strategic in volunteering for projects- don't do all of them
  • Keep track of progress for your own sake (I like to do lists and Toggl)
• Toxic work situation? What to do?
  
  • Keep your resume up to date
  • Participate in mentoring opportunities (esp. if offered through professional org)
  • and/or connect with a person or people whose perspective you appreciate to help think of alternatives
  • Be mindful about being isolated or hyper-focused on work's dumpster fire. Give your brain a break

Personal observations

• Don't let perfect be the enemy of done
• Break down tasks into smaller parts
• We all have lessons to learn in life, patterns to learn or unlearn. Look to your own patterns. The pattern will repeat if the lesson hasn't been learned adequately the first time. Subsequent learning experiences are likely to be progressively painful.
• You don't do anyone favors by working yourself past a breaking point (that's hand in hand with good boundaries!)

I'm going to need to do some more thinking and reading on all this. What I wrote is a start (iMpErFeCT and that is OK). I welcome suggestions, thoughts, links.