4 minute read
Putting Yourself First
I am someone who is an advocate of ‘putting yourself first.’ But, as I am sure many of you relate to, I struggle with allowing myself to put away work and take care of my self needs. When burnout starts, I have learned that the first part of breaking this cycle is by acknowledging that it is happening. This is important because in order for us to keep producing work that we are really proud of, we have to take care of who we are and be gentle.
I want to give the community of Capilano some tips on how to leave space for yourself and set boundaries! I offer these three pieces of advice humbly, as an example of the simple things I do in my day to day.
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Take Breaks
No joke, taking breaks has saved my energy immensely. Next time you find yourself ‘in the zone,’ struggling to stop working - set an alarm to go off in roughly 45 minutes, to stand up, stretch and drink water to prevent possible overwork. These breaks only feel good if you feel like you are being productive during ‘work time’. If you are not producing, don’t be shy; take another break! But remember, there is a balance to this one!
Turn off notifications!
There are ways to put yourself first even when you are working! Notifications can not only distract you but overwhelm you even more. I recommend turning your phone to ‘Do not disturb’ as often as possible to get away from all ‘the noise’ and feel more present. Your friend sending you memes can wait :)
Weekends off
Lately, I’ve been trying my hardest to take my weekends off. As a full-time student with a full-time job, it sounds impossible. I try my hardest to keep my computer and work email closed through Saturday and Sunday to have those days to reset my week by doing laundry, reading, resting, and hiding from all things life. There’s a lot of privilege to say, ‘I don’t work on weekends,’ but at the same time, you need those days, or even evenings, to relax and focus on yourself.
In my tips, there are common themes around rest and self prevalence. But your set of tips may be centered around something entirely different! I encourage you all to take a few minutes and make your own list of tips for putting yourself first.
Big hugs, Freya
Your slightly tired art director jayde@capilanocourier.com
What do you get when you cross a book, a song and a bicycle and throw them off a cliff? I’m not sure, but I hope it doesn’t hurt when I hit the ground
Q: Describe your role in the Courier in 3 words or less.
A: Putting out fires
Q: What song would you add to the staff playlist?
A: Mikoh - Home
Q: Favourite type of chocolate?
A: Hot chocolate
Q: What are you currently reading?
A: Tess Of The Road by Rachel Hartman
Q: Preferred type of weather?
A: Cloudy with a chance of meatballs
Q: Dream date?
A: Anything we can look back on and say “I can’t believe we did that!”
I am a woman of simple pleasures – I just want to travel to all my bucket list cities, feel confident in my own skin and enjoy a good glass of wine with the people I love. Doing what makes me happy has become my mantra lately, and it has yet to steer me wrong.
Q: Describe your role in the Courier in 3 words or less.
A: A great experience
Q: What song would you add to the staff playlist?
A: Flowers by Miley Cyrus
Q: Favourite type of chocolate?
A: Hedgehogs from Purdy’s
Q: What are you currently reading?
A: The Lesser Blessed by Richard Van Camp
Q: Preferred type of weather?
A: A crisp autumn day – sunny but a little chilly.
Q: Dream date?
A: Going to an amusement park and sharing mini donuts on the way home gwen@capilanocourier.com
I’m the new culture editor at the Courier! I drink way too much coffee, but I keep myself busy enough to justify it. I spend more time talking about movies than actually watching them, and I’ve always got at least two books on the go. My life’s goal is to visit as many new places as possible, so I’m always open to recommendations, or a trip that’ll earn me another stamp on my passport!
Q: Describe your role in the Courier in 3 words or less.
A: Think. Email. Think.
Q: What song would you add to the staff playlist?
A: Yesterday Once More by The Carpenters
Q: Favourite type of chocolate?
A: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Q: What are you currently reading?
A: A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce
Q: Preferred type of weather?
A: Cool and sunny, like an early morning in the fall.
Q: Dream date?
A: Used bookstore shopping and playing football on the beach
I’m shy at first but once I get to know you, I won’t shut up. I’m pretty sure by now my humour is permanently broken since I am always laughing at the worst jokes. Always laughing, always working.
Q: Describe your role in the Courier in 3 words or less.
A: Post! Promote! Post!
Q: What song would you add to the staff playlist?
A: Lift Off by Labrinth
Q: Favourite type of chocolate?
A: Mint dark chocolate
Q: What are you currently reading?
A: The Art of Creative Thinking by Rod Judkins
Q: Preferred type of weather?
A: Wind or fog
Q: Dream date?
A: Road trip to somewhere unexpected
Contributing Writers
Kirsten Wiltshire, Carmel Dear, Avery Nowicki, Jasmin Linton, Jenny Rog, Charles Lartey, Lea Krusemeyer, Emma Mendez.
Contributing Illustrators
Anais Bayle, Tara Asadi, Natasha Lee, Tiffany Zhong, Sharleen Romanos, Lucy Benson, Jasmin Linton, Yohahnah Loker, Tanner Macormin, Sol Yoon, Kelsea Vance, Arsheya Seraji
Business Manager
Gaby Salas (She/Her) business@capilanocourier.com
Featured Artists
Laura Morales, Andy Poystila, Ethan Woronko, Arsheya Seraji
Cover Art
Lucy Benson
Staff Portraits
Anais Bayle
