A litmus test and a time-sensitive offering
Another result of my natural process ~ February 2024
Relax. Nothing is under control.
How do you feel when you read that statement?
When I first heard it a few years ago, I loved it. I instantly felt my shoulders drop and my heart open. The thought that I didn’t need to try to control anything was a huge relief.
When I came across this saying again a couple of weeks ago, I had a completely different reaction. My body immediately clenched up, and I felt myself getting agitated. I was already feeling overwhelmed, and the idea that I couldn’t get things under control fueled my anxiety.
Since then, the phrase has become a handy litmus test for me. I’ve used it several times, and it’s been providing a quick and accurate read on how I’m feeling.
I use other indicators, too. Signs that I’m heading into unhelpful mental and emotional territory include feeling resentful and noticing every tiny imperfection in my physical space. (Seriously, why is the bedspread 32 millimeters lower on one side?) I do my best to just notice these important clues without judging myself for them.
What litmus tests do you use when checking in with yourself? Or do you rarely pause to check in at all? I have a wee bit of personal experience with that, and I’ve found techniques like STOP to be really helpful.
I’ve also found that connecting with others, even when we really don’t feel like it, can be incredibly valuable. That’s one motivation behind the STANDOUT Professor Confab (ProfCon), an offering I’ve been testing out. In addition to building community, it’s proving to be a powerful form of structure and accountability, things that can feel especially lacking over the summer.
So if you’re an early-career researcher (junior faculty member, postdoc, research scientist, etc.), I hope you’ll consider joining phase 2 of the ProfCon pilot. It runs for one month starting on June 11th, and if you register by June 3rd, you’ll be invited to join bonus focused-work sessions on June 5th. The cost is only $25, with discounts for current clients and past participants. You can learn more here.
Whatever your role, I hope you'll share this newsletter with others who may find it helpful.
As always, thanks for being here, and thanks for being you.
Warmest wishes,
Elizabeth Odders-White