Nurturing Yourself: A Fun Read For Rest
Hello Qualitative Mind,
I can’t believe this is the last post of 2020. Jess and I will be taking a break until the New Year and returning in January. On January 4th we’ll be releasing a refreshed, version 2.0 of the Qualitative Data Analysis Masterclass (available for enrollment throughout the year), and on January 5th you’ll read the first blog post of 2021 right here on qualiq.ca! We’re excited to continue helping you design, implement and publish impactful qualitative research projects.
In 2021, I’ll be introducing the REALIZE Path© to Qualitative Research Blueprint (QRB) members and my one-on-one clients. The REALIZE Path© includes four pillars that I consider essential to qualitative researchers’ success (If you’re curious, don’t worry, I’ll unveil them here on January 5th)! I believe that when integrated, the four pillars can support you in realizing your full potential as a qualitative researcher. One of the pillars is about you, your qualitative mind and body, and I want to talk about it today as we wrap up 2020!
2020 is a year we’ll never forget. It’s the year that changed everything...plans, dreams, career paths, social interactions, research projects and so much more. For some of us, this unprecedented year has brought clarity because when our world was shaken by a pandemic we could more easily discover what really mattered in our lives. Nevertheless, it’s also been a year of anxiety, grief and, perhaps, mental and physical exhaustion.
That’s why I decided this post will be about nurturing yourself, your qualitative body and mind. It relates to a previous blog post I wrote in the spring of 2020 Why Qualitative Researchers Need Recreation; however, today I’m going to be more personal and share with you the books (fiction and non-fiction), TV shows and random things that I enjoyed and was inspired by in 2020. So here they’re…
Books
I couldn’t pick just one novel to recommend here. I read two that I absolutely loved so drum roll...the first one is Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens and the second is All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.
The non-fiction book that I didn’t read but instead listened to {and had a blast doing so} was “Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person” by Shonda Rhimes (yes, the writer of many successful TV series including one of my all-time favorites- Grey’s Anatomy).
The other ones I read and enjoyed were The Practice: Shipping Creative Work by Seth Godin and Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World by Vivek Murphy.
Television Series
If you binge watched something this year, you’re one of millions! I didn’t jump on the Tiger King bandwagon {because it didn’t sit right with many of my values}. However, my husband and I watched Schitt’s Creek, and laughed out loud at Moira’s sophisticated vocabulary and shrewd craziness. While we had a great time watching Schitt’s Creek, the show that we started and will be going back to during the holidays is Un Village Français. If you’ve never heard of this one before, I’m not surprised. This French television series isn’t a streaming phenomenon (yet). However, when it comes to the depth and complexity of the human experience (something we as qualitative researchers are drawn to), this show is a must-watch. If you do a quick Google search, you’ll understand what I’m talking about.
Random Things
I like a podcast called The Next Right Thing with Emily P. Freeman and earlier this year she talked about stimulating all our senses to mark the seasons, especially now that we’re pretty much at home 24-7. Because of that, I started lighting a candle in my kitchen every day. I choose scents that help me feel more grounded in the season we are in, for example lemon in the summer, London fog in the fall, peppermint in December...
I also started listening to seasonal music playlists when I’m writing and working on tasks that allow me to enjoy music at the same time.
Dark chocolate every day! A delicious part of my afternoon and the best companion to the last cup of coffee of my day.
Exercise in online group classes and my first 5k run in the summer “with” an amazing group of women. I enjoy exercising; it’s a habit I’ve cultivated for years. In 2020, I needed a community in order not to lose the stamina to seek physical health amid a pandemic. I found mine at Fit Your Life, and if you feel you need a group of incredible women to encourage you, this might be your community too (now available online)!
There you go. My personal list to inspire your re-creation! I wanted the last post of 2020 to be fun, light and easy to read. Above all, I wanted to encourage you to rest, recharge, and feel all the different emotions the holiday season may bring up for you. For those of us who celebrate Christmas, Merry Christmas! May it be a hopeful one.
Wishing you all a safe and happy New Year celebration as well. Jess and I look forward to supporting your qualitative research goals and career in 2021!
Talk soon,
Maira