This week I thought instead of my usual PR blog I’d use this space to do a little getting to know me better exercise. So, I’m going to share with you five things I love (friends, family and pets not included). In no particular order here are a few of my favourite things:
Books
I’ve loved books and reading for as long as I can remember. When I was a child, I’d get so engrossed in what in a story that I’d walk down the street reading, bumping into things as I went. As a teenager I’d happily spend hours in the library exploring the shelves, looking for new authors and discovering new things. As an adult I love nothing me than hunkering down with a good book. It’s probably no surprise that I love books as they are full of stories and our stories are what make us all unique and interesting. They are also the things that people connect with, that help build rapport and community. Books can teach us about things, help us understand and also help us escape when life becomes overwhelming.
Stationery
Oh, what joy new stationery brings. I live by the motto that you can’t have too many notebooks (which is probably why my unused stationery pile is almost as big as my to be read pile). There is something exciting and therapeutic about opening and new notebook to a crips empty page yet to be filled with whatever you feel, it could be lists, your thoughts and feelings, poetry, ideas, work, holiday plans or anything else that takes your fancy (note I have separate notebooks for at least four of these things). I’m also a huge fan of coloured pens and spend a lot of time writing lists in various colours and then feeling a frisson of excitement when I can take my highlight and score through it (yes, I agree I probably should get out more)
Singing
I won’t suggest that I am the best singer (I’m not), but I do love it. I sing in the car, in the shower, cooking dinner, at karaoke, even in the supermarket (often unwittingly) if a song I love comes on. So great is my love of singing that recently I started having singing lessons. Twice a month I get to experience the joy of singing my heart out with only my signing teacher for company (he is much kinder and more constructive with his criticism than my 7-year-old)
Moving
Every day I make a conscious effort to move. It could be weights, a HIIT workout, dancing for half hour after getting out of bed or doing a 20-minute walk after school drop off. It clears my head, increases my energy, and gives me a chance to ease into the day before I have to start shouting about school shoes, respond to press enquiries and write articles. Soe people think I’m crazy to do this 7 days a week, but I find that that 20 minutes to half an hour sets me up for the day.
Podcasts
What did I do before podcasts? I absolutely love them and have a long list of those I listen to religiously. I’m very careful about where I get my news (as I find lots of what is put out very depressing) and therein lies the beauty of the podcast, I can choose what I want to listen to suit my mood. Sometimes I want to hear what successful businesspeople have to say, other times I need help with selfcare or just to laugh at something inane. That is where podcasts come into their own there is something to suit every mood.
What are your favourite things?
Rebecca Slater is a PR Consultant with more than 20 years public relations experience. She is based in Staffordshire and provides support to businesses all over the country.
Find out more at www.beckandcallpr.co.uk or email sayhello@beckandcallpr.co.uk