All we want for Christmas is you . . . to find balance, satisfaction, and peace. What gifts might you give to yourself this year?
Let’s start with things that cost nothing! You could…
Close your eyes and lie on the floor
Step outside and do nothing at all
Put on a favourite song and dance
Go for a slow walk
Take a nap
Draw a picture
Make a resolution to take every Friday night in 2021 off from work. That’s right, no matter what’s left on the to-do list, just stop and see what happens.
How about some office supplies?
Laura’s favourite notebooks are these Europa Notemakers. Lovely grain for writing with a ballpoint pen; not so precious you feel you can only use them for Deep Meaningful Thoughts and Important Things; available pretty much everywhere.
Will recommends these cheerful, eco-friendly, made in the UK ones. You could have a notebook rainbow!
For pens, we both love Papermate Flairs for adding some fun to our note-taking and list-making. Find multi-packs everywhere.
For your desk, so you can track your time without your phone, try this retro Ikea clock and this friendly, silent countdown timer
Finally, if you unschedule and work mainly at home, this massive German planner works brilliantly!
Or maybe some books?
As many of you know, Laura recommends The Now Habit by Dr. Neil Fiore for anyone stuck in the procrastination/perfectionism cycle. Another worth a read for those wanting to rethink how they manage their time (if you can get past some seriously neoliberal framing) is Cal Newport’s Deep Work. And for those of you who feel like heptathletes as you juggle all your competing commitments, how about James Loehr’s updated classic, The New Toughness Training For Sports? (The earlier version, Mental Toughness Training For Athletes, is what Laura credits for her brief championship rowing career.)
And a few things to help you rest and restore!
Some lovely candles made in Sheffield and Cornwall.
One of Will’s guided iRest meditations.
For a splurge, lovely bedding made in Portugal for a small British company. Laura can vouch for the relaxed cotton bedding bundle.
How about starting an art journal, like one of our Summer 2020 alums has done? Dylusions makes a great one, available along with lots of other fun supplies from this site.
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