Strategy of intentional, built-in breaks as a daily scheduled priority. For me, taking mini-breaks of 5-10 mins., in addition to a lunch break, is essential & very-helpful to contain/curtail/prevent my bipolar hypomania.

What helps me is planning it out ahead and getting actions and intentions noted. And yes walking away.

I make lists, too, so that I can let go of the anxiety related to the idea of forgetting things, or losing track of ideas, etc.

Good stuff Misako!

Its harder being remote and when I had actual times I needed quiet and space. Concentration and participation with engagement was such a challenge. So now if I can avoid that I do. But speaking up is easier.

I think the main challenge for any employee who is a Peer in particular is to understand where there is flexibility, and where there is not, in the workspace. Some things you'll have to adapt to, and other things you'll be able to shape. If you can assess that early on, you position yourself to find the best combination of variables. So, are "you" good at assessing your workspace situation from this perspective? Do you know yourself well enough such that you can adapt to what is rigid, while creating the customizations that you need?

That is easier in an office work space or setting.

General, ongoing, mindful humor & genuine interaction w/co-workers also helps me stay grounded. And also signals to me my system-state.Key, for me, is mindfulness, intention, self-awareness.

Walk breaks with my dog makes me be alert to breaks but if I don't its because I'm trying to push myself.

When I am flatlined, I say, "I should should more." But I do't

don't

"I should not should"? haha

And the bad weather was distracting.

CA

Resilience is important, especially in flexibility. Resilience is made up of five pillars: Self Awareness, Mindfulness, Self Care, Positive Relationships and Purpose.

John's "I should do more" thinking re: a "flatline" state. Falling behind in my tasks, even at home, because of my mh condition, causes me to feel guilty & feel even more overwhelmed -- which reinforces my flatline state. Ugh!So, I consciously remind myself to be self-compassionate & pro-actively accept my (temporary) state.

Misako I think that those challenges affect so many of us. Being kind to yourself is so important.

From now on, Loran, I will text you at 10am to ask if you've done the dishes : )

When you are self-employed or working on your own, it can be hard to find the balance between motivating yourself and "should"-ing yourself.

John to Loran: lol

I think everyone has to find the right balance and way to motivate themselves in a positive way.

Virtual cocktail/mocktail meetings are fun and seem to make the virtual contact more human

Jeremy: I agree about that inner conflict when working in isolation, at home, especially!

I agree with all.

Inner conflict grows in power when you don't choose to implement self care... kind of what Robin is getting at, I think, when she said she recognized that she wasn't practicing self care

Major Charles Emerson Winchester.., " I do one thing at a time, I do it well, and then I move on."

Easier said than done!

Visual things and setting up working space helps and provides me balance.

Multi-tasking... I think that's been a misconstrued concept. For example, I know I can't do multiple things at the same time and do them well... but, I do have multiple things in process concurrently. Learning to juggle is a metaphor I prefer. We all juggle many things, and learning to focus on the one that needs focus while the others wait for their moment is a good way to think of "multi-tasking".

Yeah that's important Etsegenet. Your visual space is something you can control, and making it look the way you want is a grounding thing that you can control.

When at home juggling and multitasking is also things that need to be done around. But not be a responsibility just because.

Misako... "managing upward" is a concept that I like to encourage people to consider. It's similar to self-advocacy. But basically it's all about helping the person above you look good. So, you might say to your boss, "I am a great stocker... when I have a consistent schedule. But a fluctuating schedule really cuts into my productivity because I have to spend time adjusting. If you are able to keep me in a consistent schedule, my higher productivity will be beneficial to the store."

I have to map-out & as write down my routine & agenda, including making adjustments as needed when my symptoms act up.I also find tracking my daily wins, & where & how I can make small, self-compassionate changes. And other mh peers, including in a peer support group, often have tips, too, that I might try.

An accommodation I once requested was a day without meetings. I asked for one consistent day to just get the “work” done. My supervisor, who was not focused on wellness denied the request and surprise, I burnt out. My next supervisor accepted the accommodation and gave the whole team Fridays as a meeting free day. It was well received and very helpful.

Nice, Elise! I need to talk to my boss about that.

That's funny

Elise, because I try to have one blank day on my calendar every week too.

John: aren't u ur own boss? Or do u mean the project-client who's contracted u? Sorry, I missed Elise's comment (phone-signal drop).

EFT: Emotional Freedom Technique to help self-ground & center.

I feel the same in bigger virtual platforms and events. But I have to remind myself, I am there for what I bring to the table, and I should do better acknowledging that.

Time sure flies, thank you all!!

I was joking... need to request it of myself

Thank you!

Thank you

John: I thought so. Gone one! lol

Thanks you!