Blog

New Year reflection: Remembering what supports us

The end of 2021 finds me in a soft, delicate, reflective state. It is a time of year that is difficult for many of us, and in these extraordinary, polarised and uncertain times – when many of us have suffered loss and illness – it is particularly challenging. I have found myself swinging between moments … Read more

The Vulnerable Humanitarian is published!

I’m so excited to share with you that my first book, The Vulnerable Humanitarian: Ending Burnout Culture in the Aid Sector, was officially published by Routledge yesterday! After these many years of researching stress and burnout, and the working cultures of the aid sector, I’m really proud that my work is finally out there. It … Read more

Some exciting news about my book!

I have some exciting news for you. As many of you know, for the last year I’ve been writing a book about stress and wellbeing in the aid sector. It is entitled The Vulnerable Humanitarian: Ending Burnout Culture in the Aid Sector. It is a personal, emotional account – as well as a research piece … Read more

2020: The year I came back to my body

I’m sure I am not alone in feeling a lot of emotion in these last days of 2020. Everyone on this planet has faced huge upheaval, sorrow and uncertainty, and we have all felt it in different ways. In the last week, those of us in the UK who celebrate Christmas have been unable to … Read more

On feminism, anti-racism and our inner work

Since June, when I last posted here – a response to the Black Lives Matter protests – I have hesitated to write anything publicly. Each time I’ve considered writing something, I’ve wondered if all I’m doing is simply adding my voice to a sea of woke white people and white-led organisations offering statements of solidarity … Read more

White Privilege: Overcoming Denial, Silence and Shame

A few years ago I attended an intensive, 6 day course with around 70 people from the UK and other European countries, examining world issues together using process-oriented psychology methods. In a series of group exercises we embodied the different roles that we feel within ourselves and that are present in our societies; spoke and … Read more

Covid-19 Lessons for Ourselves and Aid Work

This week I’ve been sensing increased uneasiness and despair among the British population, due in part to the uncertainty of when lockdown will end and when we’ll ever be able to fully enjoy the sunshine or give our loved ones a hug. Meanwhile, the endless stream of upsetting news continues, with constant reminders not only … Read more

Lockdown and Learning from Solitude

It has taken me a long time to sit at my desk as I am doing now, and write. Like everyone at the moment, I am faced with an avalanche of information, expectations and emotions each day and this can be paralysing. But in the last few weeks I have learned a few things which … Read more