A Year of Boundaries
Dandelions are special to me. They remind me of childhood wishes and hopes and dreams. They remind me that the only way to expect good things is to plant the seeds for those good things. In writing this newsletter, I've tried to plant the seeds for a healthier tomorrow, and now it's time to reflect.
I've been deep in hibernation these past few weeks. Even if you only know me online, you know that I am busy, and that's not always a good thing. So I've taken a step back to do less and to think about what worked for me this year, what could have gone better, and where I'd like to invest my energy and resources next year.
One thing that I've reflected on is this newsletter, The Better Boundaries Brief. It has truly been a highlight of my year to bring this newsletter to life. Fresh out of a toxic workplace experience and backed by a career full of stories and examples, this newsletter gave me a way to share what I have learned with others in the hopes of creating healthy workplace experiences for all of us. To all of my readers and followers this year - THANK YOU! This has truly filled my cup.
So for this last edition of 2024, I wanted to share the top posts (based on reactions, comments, and reposts), along with my favorite quotes, graphics, and resources. I've also shared some reader comments - I'm so grateful for the engagement and hope you are encouraged to explore some of these posts further.
Favorite Quotes
"Go get your healing. Be disruptive. Push back. Slow down. Take a nap." Tricia Hersey, Rest is Resistance
"You have to look out for yourself - no excuses required." Nedra Glover Tawwab, Set Boundaries, Find Peace
"Just remember, in choosing, that we often resist what we most need." Julia Cameron, The Artist's Way
I love how these quotes are all connected, and I hope that one of your takeaways from this newsletter is that boundaries are the path to well-being. Choose you.
Top Editions
To Be (On Camera), or Not To Be, about virtual meeting policies and culture.
The Cost of Over-Commitment: Navigating Workaholism and Productivity Shame, the title speaks for itself.
A Tale of Two Strep Throats, about illness at work and sick leave policies.
The Workplace Fashion Police, about workplace dress codes and expectations.
Breaking the Cycle of Institutional Complacency, about organizational trust.
Pay Me What You Owe Me, about pay inequities.
It's hard to say which edition was my absolute favorite this year - I've loved writing them all - but if I had to pick one, it would be Pay Me What You Owe Me. My personal runner-up would be Let's Get Ethical, Ethical (think Olivia Newton-John or the Office).
Favorite Graphics
Who doesn't love a good infographic? Here is a handful of some of the images that really stood out, with the edition they appeared in in parentheses.
Gallup Workplace, September 4, 2024, "Most Unethical Behavior Goes Unreported and Unresolved" (Let's Get Ethical, Ethical)
Gartner 2021 EVP Benchmarking Survey (Putting Workplace Wellness Programs to Work)
Clockify, "What do people sacrifice for work?" (The Cost of Over-Commitment: Navigating Workaholism and Productivity Shame)
McKinsey in partnership with LeanIn.org, Women in the Workplace 2023 (The Cost of Over-Commitment: Navigating Workaholism and Productivity Shame)
Economic Policy Institute, Map of states passing The CROWN Act (The Workplace Fashion Police)
B2B Reviews, Addressing the Payment Elephant (Pay Me What You Owe Me)
KFF State Health Facts: State Policies on Paid Family and Sick Leave (A Tale of Two Strep Throats)
Favorite Resources
🧠 Five Essentials for Workplace Mental Health & Well-Being, Office of the Surgeon General.
📃 Five Steps to a Successful Workplace Wellness Program, A RAND Toolkit.
📅 National Plan for Vacation Day. It’s the last Tuesday in January, so mark your calendars for January 28, 2025 and make yourself a priority.
🧰 How Leaders can Build Psychological Safety at Work, Center for Creative Leadership.
🏢 Bergen Work Addiction Scale, a test of workaholism.
Reader Comments (edition in parentheses)
Dawn, I look forward to reading your Better Boundaries Briefs each time you post one. Like the child in the story, The Emperor's New Clothes by Hans Christian Anderson, you call out what is happening that others often turn a blind eye to. Thank you for your researched and well written briefs in which you share information, insights, and a way forward. (Breaking the Cycle of Institutional Complacency)
Such a thoughtful, informative article, Dawn. Thank you for all this food for thought (and action). (Pay Me What You Owe Me)
Dawn- you are always so in tune. I find myself overloaded on many fronts- work and personal. This certainly hit a high spot for me. Thanks for sharing! (The Cost of Over-Commitment: Navigating Workaholism and Productivity Shame)
I definitely need this newsletter, as so many of us do, and am so proud of you for taking the leap and starting it yourself! Can't wait to read more! Congrats! (Boundaries at Work: A Path to Well-Being)
Setting and holding boundaries can be difficult for many of us. If we make it a regular practice and hold to it, then it becomes easier to automatically set and hold boundaries. Not only that, but people around us will expect it. (To Be (On Camera), or Not To Be)
While I plan to continue this newsletter in 2025, for now, I'm taking a break. I'd love to hear from you about what you liked and what you'd love to see more of - message me or comment below. I'll be spending the next few weeks reflecting and planning for 2025 and beyond, and keeping healthy boundaries around my time and energy.
Remember - say yes to yourself!