Introduction The year 2022 has been a transitionary year. We’ve emerged from the isolation of a global pandemic and moved forward, courageously, to design a new normal. We have felt and expressed fear and gratitude, sorrow and laughter, and the full spectrum of human emotion. We have, at times, been energized and then equally exhausted. […]
Covid. Finals Week. Annual Evaluations. Debt Collectors. Internet Down. Zoom Meetings. Honor Code Violation. Any particular feelings pop up when you read these phrases? Excited to read more of this post? If not, I completely understand. However, I promise I won’t use these phrases again. These words are triggers making many of us feel unsettled,
Baffle the Anxious Brain Read More »
I recently facilitated a team building meeting in person for the first time since March 2020. I have worked with groups by facilitating conflict, team building, engaging in change management, facilitating strategic planning and decision making… and on and on… for the past 10 years. I have built a familiarity and comfort working with groups
What is this feeling?! Read More »
Anxieties is on the rise as return to in-person work gains steam. Here are some tips to squelch those thoughts and prepare for a smooth transition.
Squelching Anxiety As We Return To Work On Campus Read More »
Stress Resilience. As our office contemplates its annual report and gathers themes to present to the university community, this term cycles through my mind. It is a new term for me. I recently discovered it while reading the New York Times Bestseller, “Lasting Happiness In a Changing World, The Book of Joy” by Dalai Lama
Why do we gather together to remember a loved one when they’ve died? Why do we say vows at a wedding? Why do we give toasts at Thanksgiving? These are all examples of rituals we regularly participate in, often without thinking. They are part of our culture and are a physical representation of the psychological
Want to Improve Your Work Culture? Adopt a Ritual! Read More »
As Ombuds we have heard from numerous individuals doing their best to navigate these interesting, challenging, unique times. Many have handled the situation with minor setbacks and concerns. Some experienced sadness, isolation, loneliness and frustration while others expressed fear, confusion and forms of grief. Because Ombuds are not therapists, we offer appropriate assistance and refer
Learning From Our Elders Read More »
What we can do to acknowledge where we are, get unstuck and work towards moving forward. Currently, we are several phases into the COVID-19 crisis. Even so, the truth is that we are still experiencing a wide spectrum of emotions and thoughts depending on where we are personally at: physically, mentally and emotionally. We may feel
Practicing Self-Kindness in Our New Reality Read More »
Challenging times. Difficult times. Extraordinary times. These are all phrases that have been used repeatedly during the Coronavirus pandemic and they are all true. Let’s sit with that for a moment . . . People are still contracting the virus, some are becoming very sick at home while others need to go to the hospital.