• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Coaching
  • Academic Writing Studio
  • Library
  • About
  • Contact
  • Books

Jo VanEvery

You are here: Home / Archives for Writing / Self-care

Developing a Practice: Self-care

Self-care is not a luxury. Self-care is the foundation of everything else you do. You need sleep, good food, exercise, love, nature, etc. We could debate Cartesian dualism all day but you have a body and it needs to be looked after or you can't do anything with your mind.

A white mug of a presumably hot drink with a teaspoon sticking out of it is positioned next to an orange striped box of tissues with some of the scrunched up tissues next to it. A pair of up-turned glasses also sit nearby suggesting a dishevelled, ill-health situation.

Yes, you should take sick leave.

Posted on May 26, 2021 by Jo VanEvery

Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Yes, you should take sick leave Note: I currently live in the UK and have previously lived in Canada. My statements are based on the general employment situation that pertains in those countries and countries like them, where there is significant employment protection in law, and significant levels of […]

Read More »
A flatlay photo of a white desk surface displaying a few items. A black rope noticeboard with walnut frame reads: "Things to do: 1. own today. 2. [empty space] 3. [empty space]. A pair of bright neon turquoise wired headphones, a laptop, turquoise notebook, black coffee in white mug and grey cable knit jumper sleeve decorate the image edges.

Motivation and accomplishment in your writing practice

Posted on March 17, 2021 by Jo VanEvery

 Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Motivation & accomplishment in your writing practice Given how hard it is for most academics to find time to work on their writing, and how difficult it is to know how long some stages of the process will take, I advocate establishing a regular writing practice and trusting […]

Read More »
An orange fuel light illuminates a dark vehicle dashboard.

Managing your energy.

Posted on January 27, 2021 by Jo VanEvery

This post was originally written during a time when many universities and workplaces had shifted to remote work in response to the COVID pandemic. Although circumstances have now changed for many people, much of what I say in this post still applies. Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Managing your energy The academic year varies […]

Read More »
"You got this" is written in chalk capitals on a tarmac/asphalt road covered in autumnal leaves.

Are things getting worse? Or is dystopia the new normal?

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Jo VanEvery

This post was originally written during a time when many universities and workplaces had shifted to remote work in response to the COVID pandemic. Although circumstances have now changed for many people, much of what I say in this post still applies. Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Is dystopia the new normal? Things were […]

Read More »
A tightly packed wooden bowl of mixed chopped veg and meat is on a wooden tray with a little wooden spoon ready to eat, fuel and nourish the consumer.

Are you dropping the “eating well” ball?

Posted on January 11, 2021 by Jo VanEvery 9 Comments

When you are busy and tired making decisions about what to eat and preparing healthy meals is more difficult. This is particularly difficult if you eat your main meal in the evening. The Covid pandemic just makes it worse. Principles for solving this problem and ideas to try.

Read More »
A white and brown cat naps curled up on a green velvet arm chair with light coral red cushion.

Prioritizing rest over the winter break

Posted on December 16, 2020 by Jo VanEvery

Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Prioritizing Rest over the Winter Break I wrote this in December but it also applies at the end of 2nd semester when you are going into summer. Or, at other times of year when you have a break from teaching and you are feeling exhausted. On the first Friday […]

Read More »
A photo of a person holding a smartphone with the low battery symbol displayed on the black screen.

So tired you could cry? Enable Low Power Mode.

Posted on November 26, 2020 by Jo VanEvery

This post was originally written during a time when many universities and workplaces had shifted to remote work in response to the COVID pandemic. Although circumstances have now changed for many people, much of what I say in this post still applies. This post is part 2 of a mini-series called So Tired You Could […]

Read More »
An illustration of a woman crying with her face resting on her hand in Victorian style dress.

So tired you could cry? Permission granted.

Posted on November 25, 2020 by Jo VanEvery

This post was originally written during a time when many universities and workplaces had shifted to remote work in response to the COVID pandemic. Although circumstances have now changed for many people, much of what I say in this post still applies. This post is part 1 of a mini-series called So Tired You Could […]

Read More »
Close up of the corner of a MacBook laptop screen with Gmail window open

Email overwhelm as a collective problem

Posted on November 6, 2020 by Jo VanEvery

Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Email Overwhelm as a Collective Problem. This post was prompted by the renowned classicist, Mary Beard, stoking up the embers of email stress recently over on Twitter. for all you guys (women and men) recommending 'delay delivery',. do you know what that means? It means that at 9.00 my […]

Read More »

What is your plan to rest?

Posted on October 14, 2020 by Jo VanEvery

Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · What is your plan to rest? I’ve asked this question of two of my Guide for the Journey clients this week and now, I’m going to ask you. What is your plan for getting more rest?  The beginning of a new academic year is a crunch time. It is […]

Read More »
black scrabble letters arranged to spell out "work from home" during these pandemic times.

Dealing with the loss of a physical boundary between work and home

Posted on August 19, 2020 by Jo VanEvery

This post was originally written during a time when many universities and workplaces had shifted to remote work in response to the COVID pandemic. Although circumstances have now changed for many people, much of what I say in this post still applies. Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Dealing with the loss of a physical […]

Read More »
A sad half deflated bright yellow baloon with a black smiley face that is trailing on the floor in an urban street

Optimism in the face of uncertainty

Posted on July 22, 2020 by Jo VanEvery

This post was originally written during a time when many universities and workplaces had shifted to remote work in response to the COVID pandemic. Although circumstances have now changed for many people, much of what I say in this post still applies. Jo VanEvery, Academic Career Guide · Optimism in the face of uncertainty There […]

Read More »
Newer Posts
Older Posts
  • Home
  • Coaching
  • Academic Writing Studio
  • Library
  • About
  • Contact
  • Books
  • Newsletter
  • Privacy Policy

Footer

Find this helpful?

You can support the work that makes this free content possible on Ko-Fi

Search the site

© 2025 Jo VanEvery | Privacy Policy

Proudly powered by WordPress