4 Tips to Manage Your "Re-Entry," Even If It's Still a While Away

It will still be quite some time before many people in our community "re-enter" the work force. For some of us, the re-entry has begun, however slowly or erratically. For others, the day-to-day toll of SIP, WFH and home-schooling have us re-thinking the reality of re-entry entirely.

That's why, this week, I'd like to take a moment to consider our re-entry even if, for you, that's still a while away. Whenever it happens, and whatever shape that takes, it's on the horizon.

Let me share a few ideas for managing that eventuality, with particularly high awareness around our collective well-being.

Above all, be compassionate to yourself and others.
We are all at different stages of re-entering – in our work lives, our home lives, and in our communities. The people we encounter are likely to be experiencing a vast array of emotions that are invisible to us, just as our emotions would be invisible to them.

Keep in mind that we have no real idea what's going on with the people we meet, so try to give them the benefit of the doubt. We can choose to engage with a sense of anxiety and overwhelm, or we can choose to engage with compassionate calm.
 
See if you can "err" on the side of the latter.

Understand how news works, and limit your intake.
“News” is a business. It’s designed to sell stories. It’s presented and dispersed with the intention of being high-impact and confronting. Soundbites are purposely meant to be memorable. Much like media coverage of natural disasters, news is curated to compel.
 
Remember that there’s only so much of this that you need to ingest in order to remain informed and responsible. Find sources you trust that cap the sensationalist tendencies, and cull your daily news from there. Learn what you need to learn. Then shut it off, and move onto another productive task.

Know your boundaries around the things that energize you, and those that spin you downward.
Those boundaries could be reading certain authors you love versus going down the rabbit hole of toxic threads on social media. They could be walking outside versus binge-watching from the sofa. They could be calling to check in on a friend versus pouring another drink.

You get the idea. Identify the differences between how the routine activities of your life impact your well-bring, and respect their boundaries accordingly.
 
Team up with a re-entry buddy.
Offer to check in regularly with a friend on how the re-entry process is going for them, and look for someone to do the same for you. Once a week may be enough, or a nightly text or message could do the trick. Whatever fits in your comfort zone. Make the agreement, and stick to it.

None of this is easy, but we are in it together.

I hope these tips help, and Beck and I would love to hear others that you're finding useful. We'd also love to hear from you in general, so please drop us a line and touch base.
 
Namaste,
Cathy
 

What We're Reading:

There is no shortage of wine news, and here's what has piqued our interest this week related to wellness.

Staying Calm During COVID-19 – PsychologyToday.com
How to rebalance your life in an unbalanced time.
 
Escape the Anxiety Trap – Men’s Health.com
As more patients seek treatment for anxiety, more doctors are prescribing pills. But what happens when a short-term fix becomes a long-term problem?
 
5 Tips to Create a Healthier Social Media Feed – ExperienceLife.com
It is possible to use social media to support the life you want to live. Consider these expert tips for a more mindful online experience
 
Walk this Way! – How to Optimize Your Stride and Focus Your Mind to Get the Most from your Daily Stroll – The Guardian.com.au
Lockdown has reminded us of the pleasures of walking. But making small changes can boost its benefits to our health, mood and creativity, too
 
How the Team-Building Business Has Reinvented Itself in the Pandemic - Inc.com
Workplaces nationwide are struggling to stay cohesive and stress-free while working from home. These leaders are looking for solutions.

Meet the Community!

Our community is only as strong as the company we keep, and here we meet some of the folks who make our profession so dynamic.

Christina Rasmussen, Co-founder & Head of Content, littlewine.co, London (UK) 

Years in the Industry
I have been working in the wine industry for six years. When studying French language and literature at the University of Exeter, I had the opportunity to work abroad in Beaune. Visiting vineyards across the Côte d’Or and tasting site-specific wines fascinated me; I went on to write my university thesis on wine’s place in Medieval France and the role of monks in shaping modern day wine culture.
 
After completing my studies, I went on to work for Westbury Communications, managing many campaigns to help wine regions and companies to understand and develop their place in the UK market. At the same time, I completed my WSET Level 3 and commenced my Diploma (which I am still undertaking).
 
Since I was very young, I had always hoped that I would one day become a full-time writer. In 2018, I wrote two chapters for Lonely Planet’s Wine Trails: US & Canada, which was an honour for me. I cofounded a new wine platform called LITTLEWINE, which I launched together with my business partner, Daniela Pillhofer, in April 2020.
 
My Biggest Challenge to Wellness:
Tom Lubbe of Domaine Matassa in the Roussillon once called wine an “energy tonic.” I really do believe that wine sparks positive energy and unites us in our joint mission to better comprehend agriculture and the liquid in the glass.
 
However, there remain challenges within the industry. I like to think that sexism in the wine trade is largely a thing of the past, but from time to time I overhear nasty remarks. I have also been the subject of vicious rumours, I have experienced harassment more than once, and most recently I have also faced anonymous bullying. As somebody who is only 28, and as someone who always tries to spread and promote kindness, it can leave a dark cloud hanging over my head.
 
I struggled from depression when I was 23, so I know first-hand that sometimes it is impossible to just get on with your life. Back then, I took medication and saw a therapist, and if anybody comes to me in an unhappy place, I always urge them to book an appointment. We should actively fight any stigma surrounding mental health. Three years of practicing meditation and yoga have definitely helped my mind to slow down and compartmentalise the good from the bad.
 
I was also diagnosed with adult ADHD in 2018, which brought me great relief, as I was able to read and to learn about my condition, and how better to approach and handle it.
 
How I Keep It Together To Stay Well:
I find that when I am exhausted, my physical and mental health suffers. It is my personal duty to ensure I don’t let this happen. This means sometimes saying no to plans, which is something I used to find extremely difficult but which I am learning to practice. My business partner and I are also flexible on our working hours, which helps to ensure we have a healthier work-life balance.
 
I practice yoga regularly, and I love dynamic spinning classes too – nothing feels better than pedalling while when my instructor blasts out Disco music and sings at the top of her voice on the microphone. Although I’m sweaty and out of breath, it always makes me laugh, and that’s the point for me - exercise should be FUN. I would never be able to stick to a punishing gym routine.
 
I have a pet chinchilla, Elvis, who I adore. If I’m ever feeling down, he seems to know instinctively and comes to sit on my lap. Animals have an incredible sensitivity to emotion, and I must admit I sometimes prefer his company to human company.
 
My recent newfound hobby during corona lockdown has been flower identification. I have an app on my phone called PictureThis AI and it is astonishingly smart. I hunt for new flowers and plants on my daily walk and have started a collection of discoveries. It helps me to clear my mind.
 
Having a personal connection to nature is something very dear to me, and simple actions like stargazing or touching the earth with my hands and bare feet helps me to feel connected and to calm down. Most importantly, I try to always remember to be mindful and patient, both with myself and with others. A little act or word of kindness goes a long way.
You can connect with Christina on Instagram @christinarasmussen_ or online at littlewine.co

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