Read on Twitter
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
), 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)
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.
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 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.
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!
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
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
