Today would have been the start of @WBC2020 (delayed until Dec ), and I was (and still am) really looking forward to it!

Coincidentally, it's also @mentalhealth #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, so I've ended up thinking about self kindness in academia. #AcademicChatter

Like a lot of academics, my mental health hasn't always been great.

I often feel like an imposter, and still worry I've taken a fake it til you make it approach to self confidence (top tip: never give me a laser pointer during any type of presentation)

Far smarter things have been said about what Oxbridge does to state school students than I'll manage, and I know I had privilege as a white, culturally middle class male.

But as someone who was driven as much by fear and shame of failure as love for my work, it nearly broke me.

Thankfully I learnt, slowly and often painfully, that not only do I love my work, more importantly I love myself.

And y'know what? I am damn good at what I do. I'm pretty awesome.

And anyone reading this, you're awesome too. #KindnessMatters for everyone, and the only way to get better is to practise. So find things to love about yourself!

I don't always find it easy! But I can genuinely recommend practising complimenting yourself, because you are great.

Whether it's a new thing you've learnt; or a favourite pair of shoes that you look great in; or even just that you managed to reply to an email;

Find the small things that you like and celebrate them, even if it feels weird!

So in that spirit (and looping neatly back to @WBC2020) here's the outfit I want to wear to conference dinner (after a haircut!)

Is it daft? Yes. Will I look as good as @Hamishthecow? No chance. But I think it's cool and honestly, that's a kindness I never used to achieve