Beneath the self-deprecating labels we give ourselves when struggling at work – “I’m lazy/selfish/impatient” – is a whole lot of information about who we are, what we tell ourselves, what we need and how we go about meeting our needs.

Are you:

Lazy – or just exhausted by long hours?

Selfish – or prioritising your own needs?

Impatient – or struggling to cope with an unreasonable workload?

The ‘start of term’ might be a good time to remind ourselves that few workplaces are attuned to our human needs despite the best intentions of mental health first aiders and a growing wellbeing-at-work industry.

Our workplaces put the onus on us as individuals rather than on systems and culture to manage our mental health and in doing so, they play to our inclination to blame ourselves for our shortcomings.

Being ‘mindful’ about our experience of stress is pointless if the source of that stress is poor management, a toxic culture, rotten systems, and lack of training.

The ‘naughty step’ isn’t a great place for us to identify our needs or manage our boundaries.

*Are you struggling with an issue at work? Relationship difficulties, bullying, workplace stress? For a free initial session, email [email protected] or call 07799761825.