I wish you a relaxing and happy time over the holidays with those close to you. May you stay safe and well – and a special thought to those who are working over Christmas providing care and health services, running transport and deliveries, and keeping food shops and warehouses open.
I hope that teachers and all working in schools manage to have a good break after a challenging year.
Our celebrations will be low key this year, in lockdown for so many. May we enjoy the small pleasures of being together, sharing good food, exchanging gifts, walking outside and shifting to a different rhythm.
I plan to take some time to pause, switch off and rest. I shall read and listen to music. ( I recommend the memoir above: it made me think afresh about how gendered everything is and the impact on all of us). We will make time to talk together and play some games: Jenga, Eckolo and charades maybe.
If you don’t know them already, I recommend the films of Charlie Chaplin to watch with your family – they were made a long time ago but have universal themes that always feel relevant and they are fun . And if you have seen them before, they are worth a revisit.
These past months have been very tough for many – I have felt an inertia sometimes. They have also brought new contacts and virtual friendships in my professional world and I am grateful for these. The learning through that sharing and challenge has been wonderful. The same goes for the conferences I have been in virtually – so inspiring and impressive the way people have adapted and delivered those. I have moved to coaching and working on line all the time and have felt glad to be able to enable my clients to progress through this strange time.
I have met a great bunch of new women through my volunteering for International Women in Business Dusseldorf – I love the new energy they have brought to our work.
I invite you to find me on Instagram : strongleancoach.
The news is brighter with vaccines being rolled out..I wish you and your close ones peace, good health, safety and happiness for the new year.
Dear Catherine,
Many thanks for the festive good wishes and the well deserved thanks to the carers who will continue to care for us all & help to keep us safe, over this rather subdued time of Christmas celebration.
Thanks for sharing the pictures of the lovely, international Xmas decorations .
Happy Christmas to all the family, Muriel