Radical Rest: rest as collective
Welcome to the Radical Rest Network! Here's our latest newsletter for October - if you're new to the idea of Radical Rest, you can also find out about the project and some useful resources here.
Radical Rest Network meeting
"Resting was so hard - I really felt the resistance in me"
"This was so helpful, as permission to prioritise rest for myself and my team - it's important!"
Our first online meet of creative learning workers interested in Radical Rest took place on Tuesday. Attendees shared practical ideas for including rest in their days, discussed sector-level pressures, and of course we rested together for a few minutes that felt both restorative and too short!
Some notes for those who missed it - we discussed:
Tips of what works to prioritise rest yourself: blocking time off in your diary, using pomofocus.io for regular breaks, changing location to a cafe/workspace, giving yourself physical permission to fully rest on a break (e.g. taking off shoes, headphones, leaving the building not just walking around the office), allowing yourself to focus on one task or type of task
Burnout symptoms e.g. losing your motivation - listen to them before they increase
Self-consciousness of rest at work - the Van Gogh Museum (Amsterdam) has created a rest space for workers but it's underused
"Moral injury" in the NHS - distress when doing work outside your values, or that you feel is causing harm
Wanting to propose 4-day-week but not knowing how to start the conversation (tools here: https://www.4dayweek.com/)
The importance of resting and talking about resting, to change norms in our sector
Thanks to everyone who wonderfully shared to support each other and take action for change.
We'll arrange the next meetup for late Nov/early Dec - if you have a Zoom account we could use as a "venue", please email Kate.
Things you might love this month:
GLAMCares and the Museums Association ran a session on their research into worker wellbeing, identifying these top factors: excessive demands, not feeling recognised/valued, and low pay. Read their recommendations for organisational changes or use their Individual Wellbeing Plan for your own needs.
"I never knew a relaxed woman..." powerful quotes about women & rest that may resonate!
Burnout in USA museums: two thirds of workers are looking to leave their jobs/the sector. In response, Museum Education gathered research in a special edition on burnout and self-care.
Environmental Educators: Communicate2023 is coming up in November, and Kate will be in Bristol speaking about the need for your rest in the face of eco-anxiety and the climate emergency. More info here: bnhc.org.uk/communicate2023