


42 ways to look after yourself
So we're are finally enjoying some semblance of normality in our lives again - it's not over and who knows how much of our adapted existence will remain long term. However, schools are back, meeting the team and clients again is commonplace, we are in our studio and we get to enjoy some good times with friends and families that have been missed for too long.
But still, we’ve all had to cope with an unusual level of stress and anxiety this past 18 months or so. That we can't deny. Whether the brutal changes to work and life or the pandemic itself, we all had to learn to cope, and I’m no different of course.
Whatever ‘hat’ I have on at any given time - dad, husband, colleague, friend, bad guitar player - I've had to make sure I tend to myself too at times so here, in no particular order here are 42 ways I’ve (mostly) kept it together:
- Stop work at 5.30 (even if you got back to work later on)
- Bob Mortimer & Paul Whitehouse Go Fishing
- In fact, Bob Mortimer always
- Ramblechat
- This book
- And this one
- Oh and this one
- Any and all Beck albums (especially when he's channelling Prince)
- Nick Cave & Warren Ellis collabs (although they are a little apocalyptical)
- Friday family film Night
- Daisy Dog
- Ennio Morricone Transcribed to Classical Guitar
- Playing ‘Still got the blues’ by Gary Moore (badly)
- The West Wing
- The Office (US & UK)
- How to Fail Podcast
- Any beach
- My house plants
- Cycling the Formartine/Buchan Line
- The Udny Drovers Road
- The 'rare' 42 social event
- Freshly ground coffee (looking at you Coffee Apothecary)
- Cooking dinner (esp Monkfish Daal)
- Launching a project
- ‘Motivating’ the kids to help in the garden
- Moaning at my kids about how much time they spend on Xbox
- Boring my kids at the dinner table with ‘facts’
- Stealing my kids ‘snacks’
- Logs in the fire
- My wildlife camera
- Our annoying and regular pheasant visitor
- Listening to my boys talking to their friends
- Sunday night Cluedo
- This meme
- My blue envelopes
- Eat on the Green @ home with K
- The 42 team & the work
- Bedtime stories (esp this book)
- First beer at the Old Bridge Inn Aviemore
- My crocs (leave me, alone haters)
- Alistair Green
- Detective Roger LeCarre
Remember, you can't support others if you don't look after yourself too, so leaning into those things that help is nothing to be ashamed of. Share where have you sought comfort, joy or relaxation over the past wee while - there will be gems in there we can all benefit from.
Have a great weekend.
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