Doula Doula
There's a new kid in town.
I've been in transition again. It’s my new normal.
About six weeks ago, I created a newsletter on LinkedIn. The newsletter is called “Nourish” and is sent to my connections every Thursday morning.
I have been writing under a persona called “Work Doula.”
Wait...what's that you ask?
Those two words don't usually belong together.
You won't find "work doula" in any dictionary. It's something that just popped into my mind.
When inspiration strikes, you have to run with it.
The definition as I understand it:
"Work" means the mental or physical labor. It is a creative in nature. You may or may not earn income from it.
"Doula" comes from ancient Greek, which means a woman who serves.
A "birth doula" helps a woman and her family navigate all things related to having a baby before and after birth.
A "death doula" supports a dying person and their families. This includes care before and immediately following death.
Doulas educate, support, guide, and witness the transition from one state to another. This includes tending to the psychological, mental, spiritual, and physical needs of a human being.
I want to encourage people to express and blossom into their authentic selves at work. For far too long, there's been a division between the person you are at work and the person you are in the rest of life.
My goal is to educate, support, guide, and witness the transition from worker to human to being.
How it's going…
For two years, employees have not been going into the office. They've felt a new sense of freedom and well-being working from home. Maybe even joy.
Snippets of their humanity have leaked into the workplace. Coworkers and bosses are being let in. Children, parents, pets, and your home décor (or lack thereof) are plain to see.
The line between “work” you and “real” you has gotten blurry.
That leads us to a question. Why was there a line in the first place?
The “real” you wants to be honest even when there is a threat of upsetting your boss.
When you embody integrity, you feel free. Creativity thrives when it is given the freedom to express itself.
The “real” you no longer tries to fit in. You are loved for your uniqueness. You appreciate others the same way.
“Real” you and “work” you are aligned.
Sounds crazy, right?
I get that. But the world as we know it is changing.
We get pretty deep into connecting to the “real” you through the practice of yoga.
Yoga is the bridge to remembering and connecting to who you really are. Once you glimpse your spectacular being, there is no reason to ever leave part of you behind.
If we're not connected on LinkedIn, please send me a connection request. Here is my LinkedIn profile. You’ll have the opportunity to access my weekly Nourish newsletter.
Click here to read my LinkedIn newsletter on creativity.
BOOK CLUB
The book for May is “The Little Old Lady Who Broke All the Rules” by Catharina Ingelman-Sundberg. We meet TONIGHT at 7 p.m. to discuss.
Sign up for the Zoom link here.
YOGA
No yoga classes this month