How do you switch off?
Hopefully this summer will offer you a chance to switch off. The question is, how exactly do you do that?
Well, it’s the final piece from theDSLblog for this academic year. And originally I was going to write a ‘normal’ piece, and then at the end bang out a paragraph about the importance of switching off over the summer. And then I thought: no, let’s do better than that.
We’ve all sat in safeguarding networks or conferences where a well-meaning host starts off with a reminder about the importance of looking after ourselves and not getting overwhelmed etc. They then proceed to talk for an hour or two about all of the important things you need to know, all of the essential things you need to do, and all of the potentially disastrous things that will happen if you fail in any way. And then at the end they thank you for coming, and remind you again to think about your own well-being. I mean I get it, but it’s not exactly a spa day is it?!?
So I figured for this last piece I’m just going to share a load of things that help me to switch off: things that I like, things that I’ve enjoyed and things that make me feel good. And maybe you’d like some of them too.
Switching off is really important. Apparently being an Air Traffic Controller is a stressful job (sounds easier than putting on a nativity with 5 year olds to me, but I guess directing thousands of flying death tubes every day might be a tad stressful). And apparently when they study Air Traffic Controllers, the number one things that the people who manage to do it well for a long time have in common is: they are good at switching off.
So let’s all try and switch off this summer.
My one and only serious tip is: TURN OFF YOUR NOTIFICATIONS. If you haven’t got this sorted already, set an out of office email reply up and TURN OFF YOUR NOTIFICATIONS. I cannot believe how many years I went before doing this and it was so stupid. Now, I have my own individual work email address, and then we also have a general safeguarding email address which people are directed to out of hours for emergencies - so I leave my notifications on for that during the summer, and virtually nothing ever comes in. But once more, however you do it, if you haven’t already, find a way to TURN OFF YOUR NOTIFICATIONS this summer.
Besides that, do whatever floats your boat.
A quick bit of housekeeping from me first.
A massive massive thank you to everyone that has followed the blog this year. Before I started this thing a few people told me that in the modern age people don’t really want to read 2,000 words of hodge podge reflections, and that if I wanted to be successful and find an audience I should be doing quick content videos for social media instead. They were probably right. But I didn’t want to do that (it turns out I actually really did want to write 2,000 word hodge podges). So I am very grateful to everyone that is willing to read this stuff. And if you enjoy the blog then please do share it with others. I’m actually getting hilariously close to the 1,000 followers mark now, and let’s not pretend that getting there wouldn’t make me very happy. You probably know at least one other DSL who you think might like this, and they might well not have heard of it, so please use the share button below - it’s much appreciated.
And for the people that have sent messages in, an even bigger thank you. I’m still not completely sure why I started this blog, but those messages are definitely one of the main reasons I plan to keep it going. And the biggest thank you to people that have subscribed to a paid account - as I’ve said before, I am very flattered and grateful for that gesture.
I have got one other small favour to ask. I would be really grateful if people could take two seconds to fill out a survey for me. Whilst I’ve had some really nice messages, it’s hard to get a feel for who all of the people behind the email addresses are, and what pieces they like and which ones they don’t, so I would be really grateful if you could just answer these three quick multiple choice questions (and there’s two optional ones after that), to help me plan for theDSLblog next year. Constructive criticism is welcome, but be gentle, because I’m probably still only one harsh comment away from crawling into a hole and stopping the blog forever. Please click here to do the survey - thanks in advance.
Finally, before my quick tour of nice things that have nothing to do with safeguarding, if you really want something more typical from theDSLblog to read this week, then you can scroll down to the bottom, where I’ve listed and linked to all of the articles that I’ve posted since day one back in January. That should be enough/too much for anyone.
Right then, switching off, here I go…
Things to listen to…
My number one way of switching off is listening to music. Without it my marbles would be all over the place. Here’s a few artists you might not have heard of that I find good for switching off.
Romantic Piano by Gia Margaret
Run yourself a bath, get out the candles, stick this album on and tell yourself you are far less likely to get a verruca than if you’d splashed out for a spa day.
Jensen McRae
How are some people so talented? I just love Jensen McRae.
Maverick A Strike by Finley Quaye
It’s the summer, so there has to be reggae. If that’s not normally your thing then try this album, a 90’s classic. Vibes, as my kids would say…
Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn
Ever met anyone who wanted to be a DSL when they were a kid? Me neither. I wanted to be a gangsta rapper (slightly held back by not being a gangsta, or very good at rapping). But I still love hip-hop, although slightly more on the mellow side these days. Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn are my absolute favourites now, and this song is just beautiful…
Things to watch…
Martin Sheen on The Assembly (BBC iPlayer)
I have no real interest in Martin Sheen. But this one-off special where he is interviewed by a room full of autistic, neurodivergent and learning disabled people is perhaps the most charming thing I’ve ever seen on TV. Watch it here.
The End of the F***ing World (Netflix)
This TV series is a lottle bit weird (I think they call it a black comedy?). It’s about a kid called James who is a psychopath. Maybe. And his relationship with a spiky girl called Alyssa. Probably very marmite (lots of swearing and adult content), but it made me smile.
Little Miss Sunshine (Disney+)
Again, probably not for everyone, but for my money this is simply the greatest feel-good movie ever made.
Things to read…
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
A book about a free-thinking seagull with a passion for flying. Short, easy to read, slightly strange, very wonderful.
The Last Hours by Minette Walters
I don’t really read fiction, but my mate recommended this to me so I gave it a go. It’s about a village trying to make it through the Black Death in the 14th century (sounds cheerful right?). It’s faintly ridiculous, but I couldn’t put it down and it made me happy.
Human Kind by Rutger Bregman
Because I normally read non-fiction, a lot of the books I read are actually a bit depressing. Then there’s the news, stuff on social media, wars, global warming etc etc etc etc. Well this book is an antidote to all that. A non-fiction book that reminds you that most people are actually nice most of the time: it will give you an injection of hope and optimism.
Things to do…
Get outside. And walk.
This one is so obvious, but so many of us need a kick up the backside to do it. If you haven’t already got a big walk scheduled in for one day of the summer holidays then get one planned. I walked up Snowdon two years ago with an old friend and I still feel good whenever I think about it now. Walking outdoors must surely be one of the most reliable ways to get a quick mental health boost. So if you can, then do it. Get away from everything and really switch-off.
Learn something new
Again, the benefits of learning something new are well-documented. But it feels time consuming, and it’s a lot more effort than looking at a screen. We can be forgiven for not all playing the harp or learning to speak Mandarin. But there are easier options out there. Learn a calligraphy or graffiti font, and make every birthday card you send in the future a bit cooler. Learning to juggle is loads easier than you might think. Or - and this should be mine this year - learn a bit about basic photography (I think my main fear in life is that I’ll get old and realise that I didn’t take enough photos). I’m guessing that with a bit of practice you can learn to take better photos, and/or spruce up the ones that you do take. There’s some simple tips here, or for more advanced info I’m told you could try Tony and Chelsea Northrup on youtube.
But it doesn’t matter what you pick, just as long as it’s something that will give you that buzz that comes from getting better at something.
Buy new socks
Every single time I buy new socks I think “Why don’t I buy new socks more often?”. I have never ever heard anyone say “I regret buying these new socks”. You’re guaranteed to go to the shops at some point this summer: when you do, please come home with some new socks. You deserve new socks.
That’s it. The links to the old articles are all below. I hope you have a great summer, take a break from being a superhero, and switch-off. And I’ll see you all back here in September…
What is theDSLblog? My first ever piece introducing the blog
Is being a DSL a good idea? A look at why it can be hard to find job satisfaction as a DSL
Can you spot a perpetrator on sight? A look at the role first impressions can play in safeguarding
What do you do when you’re not going to do anything? A look at what DSL’s do with recorded concerns that are going to be NFA
What does ‘Continue to Monitor’ actually mean? A look at monitoring and a possible model for different types of monitoring you can use in your school
Does being a parent make you a better DSL? Some reflections on how I think parenthood has changed me as a DSL
What can DSL’s learn from rats? A look at the pygmalion effect (how can positive beliefs and optimism work in safeguarding)
Is anybody’s E-Safety curriculum actually working? My rant about social media and smartphones
Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed? My attempt to capture some of the madness that is being a DSL
How good are your safeguarding chronologies? A closer look at safeguarding chronologies, why they matter and what makes them good
Are you looking out for the unknown unknowns? Thinking about the different types of knowledge and ignorance that we have in safeguarding
How do you say a good goodbye? Looking at farewells for DSL’s
Useful Bits and Interesting Bobs 1: Worst. Holiday. Ever - a book for anxious children
Useful Bits and Interesting Bobs 2: Inside Out - using the Pixar film with school children
Useful Bits and Interesting Bobs 3: Sad Book - Michael Rosen’s classic picture book
Useful Bits and Interesting Bobs 4: FKA Twigs on Louis Theroux - a conversation highlighting experiences of domestic abuse survivors
Useful Bits and Interesting Bobs 5: Sussed - a getting-to-know-you game
Useful Bits and Interesting Bobs 6: Action for Carers website - and a quick survey you can use to help identify young carers
Useful Bits and Interesting Bobs 7: A positive change worksheet
Useful Bits and Interesting Bobs 8: Using tech as a DSL - a range of basic and slightly more advanced ways that you can use technology as a DSL
Useful Bits and Interesting Bobs 9: Reverend Richard Coles interview - a conversation about grief and addiction
Useful Bits and Interesting Bobs 10: Safeguarding Chronology Appraisal - a toolkit for assessing the quality of your safeguarding chronologies
Useful Bits and Interesting Bobs 11: Family Wall - an app to help you stay organised at home and at work
Useful Bits and Interesting Bobs 12: Paul Stewart interview - a challenging but valuable conversation with a sexual abuse survivor