Excellent essay Jana! So true, the corporate world seeds the expectation that every employee should be doing something all the time, but that’s not effective and as you unfortunately found out, it’s damaging. I’m glad you found a way back from burnout and are on a better path now 😊
Thanks for this excellent essay. I have been through a similar mindset and lifestyle change myself. I used to work 24/7 in a very demanding teaching job. I was a workaholic and very dedicated. Several incidents around workplace quality of life and family needs led me to be part of the great resignation in 2020. When lockdown first happened I ended up spending hours a day sipping coffee in my garden and contemplating what kind of life I really wanted. I was inspired to downshift and move into a less demanding career. I was able to let go of the guilt of leaving teaching, and still be proud of the years I spent in it.
Today I still work a full time job, but I get by with less pay, and have plenty of time for coffee and reading breaks, chats with coworkers, contemplation, as well as the energy after work ends to pursue hobbies.
Oh, Erin! I love your story; thank you for sharing your journey. I feel we’ve had such similar paths. I’m so happy that sipping coffee in your garden and contemplating what kind of life you wanted worked out for you. We all could do with more coffee sipping and reading.
The social aspects of coffee are interesting and varied. At the State Department, where I spent most of my professional life, coffee was obtained in the building’s cafeteria. Working at the Pentagon and in other military locations, there was usually a nearby coffee pot or urn supported by a Coffee Pool you joined by contributing a set payment. Working in DOD exercises introduced me to the personal coffee mug with a locking lid (to protect those essential government computers) often featuring a military unit patch or other image that linked the owner to that unit or military organization. Working in the American Consulate in Belfast in the early 1980s, I quickly learned to ask for tea when offered a choice of beverage because the “coffee” would turn out to be a febrile cup of instant Nescafé! My first visit to Vienna included an obligatory visit to one of the city’s famous coffee shops (definitely worth it!). During my career as a reenactor, I learned the critical contribution to victory represented by the fact that the Union Army had coffee and the Confederate Army generally had only what coffee it captured or individual soldiers got from individual Union soldiers - usually in exchange for tobacco. My introduction to “Turkish” coffee came early in my State Department career when I would attend upon the Bulgarian Ambassador during his calls on the Department (usually meeting the Deputy Secretary of State). The staff at that level always provided “Turkish” coffee for us as we awaited the meeting. During one such encounter, the Ambassador confessed that this coffee represented the one good thing Bulgaria had inherited from its years under Ottoman Turkish rule.
My job involves writing a lot, strategic planning and response, and research, so I feel like I need those breaks - a chance to reflect on what I’m saying explicitly and what I think I’m saying, as well as how I say it. That invites quiet contemplation. But I too run into the expectation of always being active, because the workplace does not recognize the use of the mind at work, despite all the talk about strategy. I try to fit it in where I can.
So good! Thank you. Love that scene of you watching your dad and how he was devoted to his work but also to taking breaks to enjoy life and music. How lovely. Also a great point about how small rituals can have a big impact. Thank you. Another book that touched me deeply along these lines is Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey.
Love synchronicities like that! Loved your whole post but yes that tribute to your dad stood out and I'm smiling to myself thinking about it here in NYC where we finally have rain!
So many wonderful bits of good advice and encouragement in this piece. I learned things I didn't know about coffee, and - more importantly - felt a renewed commitment to cultivating my own coffee break ritual (even though I mostly drink tea). Thank you for helping steer me clear of burnout.
This resonated deeply with me, especially the part about using breaks as a tool for self-reflection. I'm guilty of powering through my to-do list without pausing, often ending up feeling burnt out. Your words are a gentle nudge to be kinder to myself, to embrace those moments of stillness.
Thank you for sharing this. I recognize a lot, and I feel so much better when taking coffee breaks. However, I struggle to find the time to consistently live this way; I know I should, but I also know I don't do it as I should.
I loved this essay. A timely reminder. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you! Your lovely comment means a lot
Excellent essay Jana! So true, the corporate world seeds the expectation that every employee should be doing something all the time, but that’s not effective and as you unfortunately found out, it’s damaging. I’m glad you found a way back from burnout and are on a better path now 😊
Oh, yes, those ever-increasing corporate expectations…
Thank you, Peter. Your praise is treasured! I'm finding a way. It’s on and off, a work in progress.
Thanks for this excellent essay. I have been through a similar mindset and lifestyle change myself. I used to work 24/7 in a very demanding teaching job. I was a workaholic and very dedicated. Several incidents around workplace quality of life and family needs led me to be part of the great resignation in 2020. When lockdown first happened I ended up spending hours a day sipping coffee in my garden and contemplating what kind of life I really wanted. I was inspired to downshift and move into a less demanding career. I was able to let go of the guilt of leaving teaching, and still be proud of the years I spent in it.
Today I still work a full time job, but I get by with less pay, and have plenty of time for coffee and reading breaks, chats with coworkers, contemplation, as well as the energy after work ends to pursue hobbies.
I encourage others to do the same!
Oh, Erin! I love your story; thank you for sharing your journey. I feel we’ve had such similar paths. I’m so happy that sipping coffee in your garden and contemplating what kind of life you wanted worked out for you. We all could do with more coffee sipping and reading.
The social aspects of coffee are interesting and varied. At the State Department, where I spent most of my professional life, coffee was obtained in the building’s cafeteria. Working at the Pentagon and in other military locations, there was usually a nearby coffee pot or urn supported by a Coffee Pool you joined by contributing a set payment. Working in DOD exercises introduced me to the personal coffee mug with a locking lid (to protect those essential government computers) often featuring a military unit patch or other image that linked the owner to that unit or military organization. Working in the American Consulate in Belfast in the early 1980s, I quickly learned to ask for tea when offered a choice of beverage because the “coffee” would turn out to be a febrile cup of instant Nescafé! My first visit to Vienna included an obligatory visit to one of the city’s famous coffee shops (definitely worth it!). During my career as a reenactor, I learned the critical contribution to victory represented by the fact that the Union Army had coffee and the Confederate Army generally had only what coffee it captured or individual soldiers got from individual Union soldiers - usually in exchange for tobacco. My introduction to “Turkish” coffee came early in my State Department career when I would attend upon the Bulgarian Ambassador during his calls on the Department (usually meeting the Deputy Secretary of State). The staff at that level always provided “Turkish” coffee for us as we awaited the meeting. During one such encounter, the Ambassador confessed that this coffee represented the one good thing Bulgaria had inherited from its years under Ottoman Turkish rule.
Wow, I love your experience with the coffee. Do you enjoy Turkish coffee? It’s also trendy in Slovakia.
I can drink it if it is offered but I don’t go looking for it
You can tell how entrenched burnout culture is when we need to make an intentional effort to not feel ashamed of taking a coffee break!
Well said, Baird! Thank you
My job involves writing a lot, strategic planning and response, and research, so I feel like I need those breaks - a chance to reflect on what I’m saying explicitly and what I think I’m saying, as well as how I say it. That invites quiet contemplation. But I too run into the expectation of always being active, because the workplace does not recognize the use of the mind at work, despite all the talk about strategy. I try to fit it in where I can.
Thank you for sharing, Tamara. It’s great to hear you found what works for you
So good! Thank you. Love that scene of you watching your dad and how he was devoted to his work but also to taking breaks to enjoy life and music. How lovely. Also a great point about how small rituals can have a big impact. Thank you. Another book that touched me deeply along these lines is Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey.
Thank you for noticing a part I fitted in — my tiny tribute to my dad! It means more than you know ❤️
Would you know it, Rest is resistance is what I am reading this month - what are the chances
Love synchronicities like that! Loved your whole post but yes that tribute to your dad stood out and I'm smiling to myself thinking about it here in NYC where we finally have rain!
So many wonderful bits of good advice and encouragement in this piece. I learned things I didn't know about coffee, and - more importantly - felt a renewed commitment to cultivating my own coffee break ritual (even though I mostly drink tea). Thank you for helping steer me clear of burnout.
Thank you! I'm so glad to hear that we all could cultivate more of our own coffee break ritual.
This resonated deeply with me, especially the part about using breaks as a tool for self-reflection. I'm guilty of powering through my to-do list without pausing, often ending up feeling burnt out. Your words are a gentle nudge to be kinder to myself, to embrace those moments of stillness.
Thank you, Alexander. I am glad I managed to gently nudge you. That means a lot.
Thank you for sharing this. I recognize a lot, and I feel so much better when taking coffee breaks. However, I struggle to find the time to consistently live this way; I know I should, but I also know I don't do it as I should.
Oh, Alexander, I've been there, too. Often, even a short time away is better than none. You're doing great, I'm sure.
Think you’d love Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey, all about resisting grind culture and naps are essential!