Dignity of Doing

This new blog has again, a disclaimer. This time I want to make it clear, that what I am sharing does not apply to everyone, that my experiences do not translate into a self-help manual or try to tell you what to do. They are my own experiences, thoughts and insights, and I am sharing what works for me. But what I am sharing might just resonate with you and give you the encouragement you need right now.

One day until Christmas, we observe our home tradition of celebrating on Christmas Eve especially as my birthday falls on Christmas day ??, and there is so much to do, to prepare, and I haven’t written one Christmas card yet– but have sent some online…

I think of all the people for whom Christmas is less than merry:

Culture of Busyness

I have many things to be grateful for, one of them is my work. But this year has provided some challenges, both workwise and health-wise. Most of my colleagues have found 2023 to be a very ‘full’ year and social media is full of stories of burnout, tiredness, anxiety and questions. In many industries being busy is worn as a badge of success, and down-time is seen as being unproductive. You can read about the culture of busyness here:

Of course, I would like to acknowledge our wonderful healthcare professionals and other workers who have to work over Christmas, my lovely daughter-in-law included.

But most of us need to slow down and swim against the trend of Gordong Gekko’s saying in the movie Wall Street, “Lunch is for wimps.”

For me, laying on the beach just does not do it. Doing something though helps…

But I am too tired to do anything

I have called this blog “Dignity of Doing’ because this has been my experience. When I am overwhelmed, when things are getting to me and at me, “doing’ has been a therapeutic way of relaxing. What an oxymoron – doing to relax. When the social and other media portray relaxation, ?it is usually with a tranquil and lonely beach scene, a yoga pose in front of a waterfall, or as in one, to remain, un-named ad sitting in a blow-up spa bath in the woods with a bubbly to sip on and a butler playing the harp.

Now, for some, this might be just the right thing to help them unwind, reflect, relax and restore. But if I am sad, feeling down, overwhelmed, unappreciated, thinking that I cannot do anything right, then “doing’ helps me to come out of this self-pity hole.

Dignity of doing what exactly?

Don’t laugh, but I have rediscovered puzzles. You know the old family favourites that I have done many times before, or even some new challenging ones. So, what is so healing about putting little pieces of cardboard together to form a picture? What does this contribute to? Especially if you dismantle it and put it all back into a box after having maybe taken a photo of the completed picture. I have tried to find some research on this but have not been successful. If you find something solid, please send it my way. I always love evidence for what I am doing ??.

Can a song be evidence? Well, it is better than nothing. Two Czech songs by Uhlire and Sverak have become stuck in my head. One is “Neni Nutno” which analysis what is important in life and highlights that having a heart is more important than having cash. This song also acknowledges that sadness is part of our lives.

It is in Czech and was used in a Czech fairytale. Very fitting. Enjoy some 80s images…

The second song, again Czech, is “Doing”. This song really speaks to me, because it refers to hard times, but offers a way to process these by “doing”. The “doing” is creative and helpful, baking bread, building a wall, and doing it now, it is medicine and saves our smiles.

(another fairytale…)

But for me this is not a fairytale, “doing’ is indeed medicine. It blows away sadness and gives back a smile. Baking, sewing, crafting, making things for others, and even weeding, all bring back a feeling of dignity, of doing something worthwhile, creating, and contributing to basic life.

Again, I tried to find some supporting evidence, but only came up with ‘an ethical argument against mandatory retirement’ and ‘dignity of work’, not really what I was looking for. So, I am happy to have my own lived experience as evidence that this works, for me at least.

Advent and Christmastime are great times for being creative and making something for others. Baking is my love, my happy place (and now I have a dishwasher, it is even better ??). It might be better if I did not eat what I bake though, but hey, never trust a skinny cook…the gift shop merchandise says.

So, I hope that you have some joy this festive season, be it Hannukah, Christmas or enjoying the break.

I will be back again in February with the #6 Shard Nurse.

Stay safe, enjoy and thank you.

Suzanne

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