🧭 Cultural Compass #6

A round-up of culture influencing my navigation of life.

Jul 16, 2023

Welcome back to the ‘Cultural Compass’ series of The Navigation, where each month I’ll be sharing a round-up of recently consumed culture (usually books, podcasts, articles; sometimes TV, and other miscellaneous items) that’s in some way had an impact on my thinking around navigating life.

Maybe something that’s caused me to reflect on an aspect of my life I want to change, something I want to strive for, a daily routine ‘hack’, or something that I just feel compelled to share, relating to the themes I’m thinking and writing about.

📑 Holiday Personas

First up this week, in line with my Cretan meanderings and as holiday season is in full swing for many, I wanted to share this Guardian piece written by a former NHS clinical psychologist on how a trip away can be a "chance to dip a toe into a new version of yourself." Sharing insights from her own travel adventures and reflecting on those she experienced as a child, Bev Thomas questions how holidays change us, and asks what we can gain from a new environment where we're free from regular, mundane routines and responsibilities.

Thomas also highlights the success of TV show The White Lotus (which I have a mild obsession with) as demonstrating our enjoyment of drama set against exotic backdrops. For me, the show is pure escapism, from the scenery, to the outfits, the incredible soundtrack - and of course the poolside book politics of season one. Such shows encourage us to think about what could be (and also teach us not to get on a boat with relative strangers…).

Often we go away to get away from it all. And why not; we all need a break once in a while. But as the title of a book I recently read and shared reflections on clearly states, Wherever You Go, There You Are. So perhaps the question is more, who do you want to be, wherever you are? How can a holiday help you discover that? And as Thomas offers as a reminder at the end of her article, "as we unpack our suitcases, (how can we) find ways to fan the small flames of adventure into our everyday lives?"

📑 Defining Explorers

Somewhat relatedly, though more seriously on the idea of adventure, I wanted to share an alternative take on the concept. There is not much to say on this piece that it doesn't say better itself, articulating complex thoughts and feelings that I, and undoubtedly others, have felt over news reports of billionaire "explorers", compared to those who explore with little other options. Grateful to Ann Friedman for sharing this important piece by

Meg Conley

.

Worth a read, with some time for reflection.

🎧 Productivity Patterns

Back to thinking about what happens when we do return from a holiday, whether it be a week of relaxing on the beach or hiking in the mountains, it can be so easy to get back into a pattern of productivity guilt. Thankfully, Madeleine Dore is here to tell us to let it go.

I recently listened to two podcasts with Dore and found the interviews enlightening and encouraging: a Ctrl Alt Delete replay, and the London Writers’ Salon. Sharing insights from her book I Didn’t Do The Thing Today (now high up on my TBR pile) Dore speaks slightly more to those in creative fields, especially writers, but I think her words and ideas still resonate with those of us who work in other industries, and even experience productivity guilt over day-to-day household tasks.

Dore offers the permission some (many!) of us may need to take productivity off a pedestal and not only accept the fact we can't get everything done, but even embrace it. She speaks from experience in soothing tones without being preachy, and I'd recommend either of these interviews as an ideal listen on a pre- or post- work walk, and see what ideas come up for you on how you could think differently about what it is to be productive.

🎧📑 Addressing Overwhelm

On a related theme, I'll end with a little collection of recommendations and resources. When a colleague confided in me a few weeks ago that she was feeling quite overwhelmed at work, and struggling to know what to prioritise, I pulled together a few Squiggly Careers podcast episodes as well as some articles on related topics to share with her, and highlighted why I'd previously found them helpful. I made it clear I didn't want to add anything to her to do list, and that she should totally ignore them if they didn't feel relevant or helpful.

But then last week she came back to me and explained how she'd gone through each of the links and been able take away a selection of tips and recommendations, as well as new ideas on how to approach things - especially around the idea of flow.

So if you or anyone you know is feeling similarly at the moment, whether before or after a holiday, or with no planned trips in sight, I hope something in these might help. And if not - ignore and delete!