I don't think I'd blame anybody for not participating in Blogjune in 2020. Looking back on that month:
- More than two months into lockdown, and six months after my Dad died, I was just not in a good headspace.
- Also four months into a new job in a new organisation, in what felt like something of a trial by fire approach to learning a new role, and overcoming imposter syndrome regarding my writing and editing skills.
- I pretty much withdrew from most social media interaction - deleted my Twitter account, and vary rarely posted on Facebook.
- I took time to develop some skills in amateur photography
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| My attempt at being arty |
- Being in a full-time live-in relationship tested my ability to adjust and adapt to new domestic arrangements...
- I did a lot of cooking - more than usual.
- Finally, I committed to hiring a plot at the Canberra City Farm - a decision that brought a lot of hard work through the following months, but a good excuse to get out of the house, and develop a bit of a green thumb.
It was a horrendous month, to be honest. I was pushed to the limit, which I guess was the only way for me to learn when to step back, and find beauty and value in some of the simpler pleasures in life - an important lesson that has made the past year much more bearable in hindsight.
It’s horrible that burnout is what teaches some of us how to set healthy boundaries around work (it’s what taught me too); however for me it has at least been a lesson that doesn’t go away and allows me to keep those boundaries under great pressure now. Hope this experience is such a tool for yourself in your future also.
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