Last year, I started doing something unexpected at work: Hosting a weekly tea time.
A fair number of us come into the office regularly, but don’t actually work on the same projects. We sit near each other, sure, but just end up joining different Zoom calls with colleagues in other parts of the world.
I wanted to start tea time as a way to build community. We step away from the work and talk with each other. I make tea for anyone who wants it, but people who don’t drink tea come just to spend time with everyone.
It has become something we really look forward to. It’s a way to bring a little humanity to a corporate world.
Things are especially hard for a lot of people right now. Hate is on the rise, here in the U.S. and around the world. People find themselves sitting through conversations about OKRs and KPIs while their human rights are being taken away. They’re attending an all hands while wondering if their families will be safe. They’re getting a performance review from their manager while processing how DEI programs are being cancelled and workplaces are becoming systematically less inclusive.
And this is for people who have work. Many are dealing with these same things while interviewing for jobs or pitching their services, facing stress about how they will be able to put food on the table.
If you subscribed to this newsletter hoping it would be free of politics, I’d encourage you to spend a little time thinking about how much privilege it takes to have that point of view, then unsubscribe.
Now none of this evil out there is really new, but it feels especially present for a lot of people I’m talking to right now. Because of that, I’m changing my plans for the year. I’d expected to spend this year writing about teaching and even doing a class where you can learn those skills in case you want to offer workshops of your own. Now, mid-February, I’m honestly not feeling up for that anymore.
For now, I want to write about everyday survival. I’m planning to do more interviews with people about how they get through things. I want to hear from folks who are going through all sorts of career situations. People with jobs, looking for work, starting a business, taking a break, and everywhere in between. I want to learn from them. How do you get through your day? What brings you joy when things are hard? Who do you spend your time with? What do you talk about? I’ll share these things in this space.
I’ll still be doing some workshops (check those out at the bottom of the newsletter) and I’m always open to in-house speaking and teaching if your team is looking for it.
As always, thanks for being here and continuing to share your thoughts on these topics. It’s always nice to hear from you.
Survival tips: Haley Donoughe
This interview series is about how people are getting through things. Not literal, life or death survival, but existing in difficult times and spaces, while being true to themselves.
This week we’re hearing from Haley Donoughe, a writer and hobby enthusiast. I asked her about how she takes care of herself and others at work.
I know not everyone wants or needs personal connections at work, but I really value them. I love virtual coffee (or tea!) meetups and try to schedule about 3 per month with various team members. Sometimes we talk about work, but usually we end up talking about life. Books, pets, and The Great British Bake Off are a few favorite topics.
One small thing I do is explicitly mark when my messages aren’t urgent. With so many notifications in a remote setting, it can be hard to know what to prioritize. Adding a simple “Not urgent” to my message lets folks know they can respond to me when it’s convenient for them.
For myself, I try to start my mornings slowly at least once or twice a week. That usually means grabbing my coffee and sitting somewhere comfortable to read a book or check my Slack messages. When my to-do list is long, I feel pressured to “make every moment count,” but I’ve learned that rushing into my morning sets a stressful tone for the rest of my day.
Thanks, Haley. I love your reminders about how to connect with people and bring some calm to a workday.
Upcoming workshops
March 19 - Building strategic success as a UX freelancer
Live workshop led by Bonnibelle Chukwuneta
I’m very excited to partner with Bonnibelle on this workshop. One of the questions I get regularly during leadership workshops is how to apply some of the concepts I teach as a freelancer. My experience as a freelancer is limited, but Bonnibelle has done it throughout her career. She’s going to share some practical strategies for approaching your freelancing work with intentionality and getting more of the results you’re looking for.
Whether you’re a seasoned freelancer or thinking about trying it, Bonnibelle’s class is sure to be helpful.
Anytime - Custom and in-house classes
Did you know I offer private classes for you and your team? Choose from several proven classes I have ready to go, or hire me to design a class specifically for your team's needs, whether it’s about practical leadership, UX writing, or integrating content into design systems. I’m available for in-person or remote sessions.
Just reply to this email and let me know if you'd like to hear more.