The Art of Reconnection
In a world that never seems to slow down, the concept of ‘reconnecting’ often feels like a luxury. But what if it were a necessity?
At one of our recent wellbeing workshops, we explored what it really means to reconnect—to ourselves, our purpose, our joy, and even our calendars. It turns out that the path back to equilibrium doesn’t require dramatic change. Sometimes, it begins with a single deep breath.
Are You ‘Good Busy’ or ‘Bad Busy’?
We kicked off with a gentle, grounding exercise—just breathing. Sit comfortably, feel your feet supported on the floor, and the chair beneath you. Relax your shoulders, stomach and jaw and take a deep breath. Why? Because when we are busy, we forget we even have a body. That moment of pause can remind us we are more than the relentless to-do lists and endless pings from our devices.
Nicky posed two simple but powerful questions:
- Are you busy?
- Are you good busy or bad busy?
All too often we wear running ourselves into the ground as a badge of honour.
Being ‘good busy’ means you are energised by what you are doing. You are planning exciting events, working toward meaningful goals, or sharing joyful time with family and friends. ‘Bad busy’ is that frazzled, purposeless hustle—doomscrolling through social media, feeling trapped in obligations, or running on autopilot. The latter often leads to burnout, especially when we forget the natural cycle of action and recovery.
The Forgotten Art of Rest
As I often say, “We have forgotten to rest and recover.”
Modern life offers 24/7 access to everything—shopping, food, entertainment—but our biology hasn’t evolved to keep up. We are still wired like our berry-picking ancestors, needing cycles of effort and recovery. We don’t need to earn our rest. We need to prioritise it. Science backs up the need to rest, and research has shown that rest after activity creates a better overall effect.
Try this: plant your feet on the floor, lean into your spine, and give yourself permission to relax. Or go find a wall, push into it with both hands, and release the built-up tension. Let your body know it’s safe to unwind. And breathe….
Perfect Days and Micro-Moments of Joy
One of the workshop’s most uplifting discussions centred on this question:
What does your perfect day look like?
For me, it’s a barefoot morning walk in the garden, a cup of tea in the sun and music.
For Nicky, it’s a quiet start, a good cup of tea, meaningful conversations, and time spent outdoors.
But perfect moments don’t have to wait for holidays or special occasions. They’re already scattered through your day, you just need to notice them.
A breeze. A bird in flight. A warm conversation. Awe and wonder don’t need a big budget.
Letting Go
‘Just because I can, doesn’t mean I should!’
Nicky Marshall
Nicky is great at reminding us that not every opportunity deserves a ‘yes.’
Ask yourself this, ‘Is it moving you towards or away from your goal?’
I often ask myself and clients, What can you let go of?
Whether it’s mindless habits, draining relationships, or unrealistic expectations, letting go creates space for what truly matters. Letting go can also mean re-evaluating deadlines – just because someone sends an email with urgency doesn’t mean it’s your emergency.
The Power of Observation and Choice
What can you do to help yourself to change?
Observation is the first step toward change. Notice your language, your mood, your energy. Are you saying things like ‘that’s just my luck’ or ‘typical, isn’t it?’
Flip the script. Say: ‘I love that I get to do this.’
Choose just one thing to change. Not everything, not all at once.
Maybe it’s five minutes of silence.
Maybe it’s removing one task from your calendar.
Maybe it’s simply adding fun to your to-do list.
(Yes, Nicky literally wrote ‘fun’ on her to-do list during the workshop. You should too!)
Reconnect to What Lights You Up
Whether it’s macramé, music, journaling, or volunteering, reconnect with what brings you joy. You don’t need a formal curriculum to learn something new. Keep a mood diary. Track what lifts you up and what drags you down. Be your own wellbeing detective.
Redefine Productivity
When your energy dips, halve your diary. Take a nap. Sit in a coffee shop with purpose. Switch environments to help to being a new perspective.
Productivity isn’t about speed, it’s about sustainability.
And if the washing gets done at home but your keynote doesn’t? That’s procrasta-faffing. (Another lovely Nicky saying!)
You are not alone.
Reconnect and re think your time
If we don’t take charge, our calendars will run us—and suddenly, it’s Christmas again.
You can start to reconnect at anytime. Refocus and reimagine how you want to feel and live.
What can you do less of? What can you do more of? What can you simply not do?
Put Yourself Back on Your To-Do List
Our final message is
You don’t need to deserve a priority place in your own life.
It’s yours to take—if you choose it.
So go on. Reconnect.
With yourself. With your joy. With what matters most.
Want some reconnection in your workplace? Checkout our leadership and wellbeing workshops.
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