Friday, December 3, 2010

soul food friday ~ being connected

I had a very interesting day yesterday. I woke up after my day off and really didn't want to go to work. I actually had to talk myself into it...and that's unusual...and not a good thing. No, not good at all.
As I was driving to work I tried to figure out why I was feeling that way. And once I allowed myself to think about it...because really...who wants to think about these things...it was actually pretty clear. I was feeling disconnected. From my work, from the people I work with, from my ability to be creative there. I have a great job. I work with clever, lovely, fun people in a beautiful environment. And yet...I couldn't shake the glooms. And I didn't think it was because it was the end of a long, tough year or days and days of rain.
I talked it through with a colleague at lunchtime...in our communal kitchen. And as I talked about my feelings of disconnection, the solution became very clear to me. I needed to move. Not away from the company, but away from my office. And into the open plan. Towards my colleagues.
Having an office of your own is a bit of a status thing isn't it? I've had a lot of them. But the 'geography' of this one kept me away from everyone else. A corner office (everyone's dream!), but a corner office around a corner...if you can imagine that. I could hear people but I couldn't see them, and they couldn't see me. I wasn't connected. So I moved my stuff out on to the main floor late yesterday. And already I feel better...and it was also lovely to have people say that they thought it was great. They might not think that this time next week though!
And that one, simple act...that on-the-spot decision, will make a huge difference...of that I'm sure. I'm an extrovert...mostly. I know there will be times when I wish I was back in my office (which we're going to use as a library and meeting room) but I know it's the right thing for me to do. Amazing how a simple physical change can create a mental change as well.
Being connected is essential to a happy life don't you think? And it's what the blogging world does so brilliantly. We reach out over the ether. We get concerned when someone is going through a rough time. We sympathise.  We encourage. We say 'bravo' when someone does something great, or even just has a go. We ask for advice and we get it. If we're lucky we make wonderful friendships. We find people we get to meet in real life and a whole lot more we'd love to meet. We discover people who are on our wavelength (I'm not the only knitted dishcloth nut out there...am I??). A lot of you give me the best laughs with your priceless, kind, witty, cheeky comments. People might disappoint us; we might disappoint them. But the bottom line for me is this...we connect.
So as I reconnect with my workplace I want to thank you for the connections you've given me...so very generously...and I want to tell you how much I appreciate them. You're a top lot :)


15 comments:

  1. Always good to see you conneting with us too :)

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  2. connecting!!
    I did learn to spell a long time ago.....

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  3. Kerry my virtual friend i so needed to hear that today as i head to my corner office! so true.

    Deb

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  4. It is so true that a small change can make a huge difference. I hope that when I will eventually find my first job I'll have a great atmosphere at the office :) and a nice boss - as nice as you are I bet! xox

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  5. Oh Kerry, you are a top bloggy buddy too! I worked by myself for years and it was quite difficult. I now share my "office" with a colleague and I really like sharing ideas and our biscuits! She's on an RDO today so it's just me. Hopefully I can keep on task..it's hard on a Friday :)

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  6. I'm happy to hear that you came to this realization...you have solved your gloom problem...and I don't think of you as a gloomy person at all.

    XO,
    Jane

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  7. Merry Christmas. Lovely to catch up on your goings on. The US and Brit versions of the Office are my fav T.V series. Funny how we need to be connected and yet it is a fine line between loving that connection and wanting to poke the eyes out of the individuals surrounding us!
    Love your post.
    Tracey x

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  8. Very profound Kerry. I think we all feel disconnected at times but good on you for recognising it and changing things xx

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  9. Good on you for taking the time to really investigate why you were feeling so low and then taking a positive step forward to change it. Feeling connected makes a huge difference to wellbeing, particularly in the workplace. It's underestimated I belive.
    X Briohny.

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  10. I think the act of being disconnected sums up a great many of life's problems. Whether it be your colleagues, kids, husband, or people in general. We all need to make time to connect with others. It's what humanity is all about.

    I think it is great that you moved your office. You have so much to gain by being visible and accessible.

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  11. Oh, Lovely One, this post really resonated with me. I'm so glad you worked out how to 'plug back in' only hours after identifying why you felt that way.

    I wish I could plug back in as easily. That disconnect sums up my PND. I thank the stars, every day, that I have bloggy friends like you to help me as I try to reconnect with life. Blogging is making such a difference - thanks. J x

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  12. Well done Kerry. It is not easy being in an open plan office and I am sure the dynamics will take a while to resettle. Good on you for reflecting and taking action.

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  13. It is so true, my friend ! I have thought about that the last couple of days. Isn't that's why we love Facebook, blogs etc so much ? We want to meet each other !
    And I prefer to sit in a in open plan office (as I am).

    xo
    Anci

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  14. Hey Kerry, this is an excellent post and I am sure you have helped many others who have that same feeling. Although I don't work in an office and I work for myself,I often have felt this way. Its all about the connections with others. Glad you worked it out, thanks for shairing, cheers Katherine

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  15. Great post Kerry. And amazing how taking some physical action like that goes a long way to changing your mental state of mind. You never strike me as a person who would be down too often, and I'm sure by moving your desk you'll continue to inspire and uplift your workmates too. I love the connections forged through the blog world. I was lucky to have dinner last week with the lovely Ange from Signed By Ange, and her family, and honestly, it felt as though we'd known each other forever.
    P.S love your softy for Mirabel - so very cute, and I bet your book club friends will so appreciate your nimble fingered bookmarks. xx

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I love it when you comment...I feel excited, chuffed and tranquil all at the same time! Thank you.

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