Progress is...

rtandon27

@EssexHebridean - I did also manage to balance the books and do the supplements and two loads of laundry yesterday - 😆 - but the weekend was spent on the sofa!

@Cherryfudge - variety is the spice of life! I love adventurizing around the world through the varied cuisines! I keep a fully stocked spice, sauce and flavourings cupboard on hand!

Cherryfudge

Is there a genuine reason why you, and you only, can do the communal tree? How strongly are you tempted to send an email saying 'I will be attending X meeting today between (hours). Please feel free to use the space around my desk while decorating the office. I am sorry that due to other commitments I will not be putting up the tree myself'.

Of course, this is a test of whether emails get read, and possibly they are also not wanting to tread on your toes if they think you like doing it.

rtandon27

Haha - I love your take on a response @Cherryfudge - it's not exactly a communal tree given that it is in my space snd most of the decorations are mine. I think said person was being awkwardly kind knowing through the grapevine that this not a good year for me to feel 'in the zone'! I also think they are used to me promoting workplace well-being and get that nothing has been forthcoming in our shared workspace due to my many absences from the office!

I'm rather grinchy this year!

Cherryfudge

Grinch away @rtandon27, Christmas brings out extremes of emotion. Perhaps hand the tree over and ask if someone would like to set it up elsewhere?

I hope the big meeting isn't too bad.

beanielou

As @Cherryfudge says grinch away. 

Hope meeting goes well 🤗

edinburgher

I'm no surprised you're feeling grinchy @rtandon27 - I definitely share the sentiment that you need to try and step back from a few of your "usuals". Take care, hope that migraine lifts soon 🤗

KajiKita

I would definitely delegate the tree and 'give permission' for someone else to set it up. It will lift everyone with minimal effort from you.

Hope the migraine does the 'insect-ger off' (that made me chuckle) dance very soon!

KK 

Watty1

Love that email idea from @Cherryfudge   Promotes well being, gives permission for your stuff to be used, lifts spirits and might just lift yours too a little but someone else has the joy of doing it.  

Greying_Pilgrim

Definitely give others permission to do the decorating.  a) they'll see how much work it is - bet there's a team of 12 of them doing it,  versus an 'organised rt' 🤣 b) you're still promoting well-being in the office, everyone possibly likes having the decorations, whether they choose to celebrate or not and c) fingers crossed it promotes a bit of team bonding.  

Hoping everything else goes well today.  

Greying X

rtandon27

Awww - you lovely lot - so very supportive of you to pop on and discuss the tree 🎄 and offer up advice!

So a collective answer/summary of what went down 🤣

1) The meeting yesterday morning went really well and I was so very impressed by the manner in which the person running it steered the ship.  An aside to a good meeting with those on high was that it was very validating for me personally in a public space!

2) The festive gathering for 85 people went off really well.  I received many thank-you's both verbal and written from folks who appreciated the hard work that went into it!  ...and my MSE training means that we provided a stand-up pickety bits meal for under 11pounds a head! - no one went hungry! - we had leftovers & there were many happy bodies at a time when we have cut-backs looming over us! - and I have to say the thanks was so genuine and heartfelt that if left me in a good headspace

3) A lovely friend at the office made his way up from his usual haunt in the basement office to the 'office floors' so that he could give me a lecture (behind closed doors) about the lack of tree despite his bringing it to my desk weeks ago!  He reminded me with the greatest of kindness - what it is to be a senior employee, be the one who sparks the communal spirit, promote well-being and live in service to others - yes I swore at him, and told him to go forth an multiply with the tree, and to his credit he took it for what it was! - he's a friend who despite being gruff and rough around the edges is kind and loving - he also shared with me the story of his mother dying from the dreaded all encompassing C-word when he was 15, sharing my grief in the gentlest of ways while helping me set aside some (not all) of the grinchiness that had lodged in my heart - I think the spirit of Christmas showed up in a most unexpected way & that is a gift I truly appreciate.

4) So off the back of #3 - an e-mail went out late yesterday evening to encourage those who sit in my area to gather this afternoon for some tree decorating with biscuits, bailey's laced coffee and some tree decorating.  It was actually good fun with a few long married men taking directions from a few long married women, while the unmarried youngsters in the area were highly amused by the antics and the banter.  The tree is up and decorated, looking tidy for once and unusually tasteful!  Now if only I could find a tree-skirt to hide the base!

...and a laugh, not one person would take on the delegation aspect for the tree, I had to open the boxes and get started myself before everyone else joined in!  I could almost hear the sound track to Fiddler playing in the background 'TRADITION'!

...and as to the migraine - it won't insect+ger off & I'm still taking meds almost a week later - got told today I'm looking tired - not flattering to hear that!

So last day in the office this week, manager goes on 3 weeks of hols starting Saturday - thank the heavens above - I have a huge list of things that need doing and she was completely in support of all of them during our weekly meeting today.  I'm working all next week and the first two days of the week after, then off for xmas & twixmas for some downtime before returning to the grind in the New Year.