first words of january
Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash
I’m starting to get it now when people say January feels so long. Returning from Canada feels like a lifetime ago and I’ve already seen friends, done home bits, delved into work, renewed my passport etc etc etc. I'm on week three of Couch to 5K and realised I actually started on the Monday after 'quitters day' which is known to be the day people abandon their new years resolutions. Ha! Ironic I know, but I’m just glad I’m giving it a go.
I’ve been reading up on the anti-DEI backlash and am quite sad and disappointed by it all. I’ve seen first-hand through my business the impact of honest conversations around identity and life experiences on individuals and what it feels like to be heard and seen. I absolutely believe there is a need for companies to actively put in the work to make their environment and processes inclusive and accessible to all. I read this article in Harvard Business Review about tangible ways we can embed the practices of inclusion and equity into the workplace without using technical terms, if that does become a real threat. Many helpful examples in the article and it stresses that genuine change doesn't come from one report or all-hands meeting - all actions need to include everyone and every type of person in the process. And yes, I'm aware that my one hour workshops that encourage having difficult but honest conversations won't create overnight change, but the fact that 94% of workers care about feeling a sense of belonging at work means that my work is a vital contribution. I will however, be actively encouraging different types of groups at work to use the cards, and not just employee resource groups for example, where we assume the Female Empowerment deck is only for the ‘Women at X’ group.
In lighter news, I would like to have my first (and hopefully more to come after that) in-person event this year where I can invite people to play the prompts and experience different decks. I'm nervous to do this because my biggest worry is will people show up?! But I need to give it a go and experience all that it takes to host an event. Watch this space (and follow us on Insta @loveyourcompany_) to see how I get on.
And finally, a few random things I'm liking these days. Not Love Your Company related, just some nice things that you or someone you know might like because why not? :)
really enjoying these italian biscuits with my coffee. Bought a pack from Italy originally, and then spotted them in Eataly so picked up some more! Just the right amount of sweet.
made a wedding album for my parents and chose a beautiful sari one. I just love the vibrant colours (purple is gorg) and the quality was great. It's been ages since I’ve developed and stuck on photos but I was so pleased with the results. I’ve got the red sari one for myself because my wedding lengha was traditional red :)
went to watch Chineke! Orchestra (pronounced chin-uh-kay) perform at the Southbank Centre last week and they were incredible. Europe's first majority black and ethnically diverse orchestra.