Wellness Wednesday, and Socialising Sober
I have worked in advertising for over a decade, and for the most part my work/life balance has been non-existent. At one point (in my very early twenties) I was even named the ‘pitch bitch’ – charming! I know I speak for the majority when I say I was relieved to see the work/life balance, and culture, shift in the right direction post lockdown. However, as the tubes get busier, pitches start creeping into the evenings and we return to more regular days in the office. I must ask, are we still looking after ourselves?
Our mental health is more important than ever, and I myself, am especially passionate since beginning my sobriety journey. After publicising my lifestyle change, I have been connecting with so many like-minded creative beings, and as such, been on a mission to find healthier ways of networking and socialising, with an emphasis on well-being, in a booze-obsessed industry. Now don’t get me wrong! I don’t want to disregard how special that feeling of a cold drink outside a bustling pub in Soho with the sun on your face can be, but new year, new me, right?
Putting ideas into action, I teamed up with Lucy Spong at Wave this week to take some legendary ladies in Advertising to a Reformer Pilates class. We had a mixed group of Pilates Princesses from Mother, Leo Burnett, Anomaly and Hogarth, all bright eyed and ready for the class ahead. Despite the fact it was a miserable rainy Wednesday morning in May, when the previous day had been 22 degrees (Great British weather, ay!) I knew nothing would make me feel better, or naturally high, than some exercise!
There were some gloriously painful moments in the class where I had to apologise to the girls, as our bodies were shaking from the Pilates poses, but we left feeling revitalised. Our party finished the hour-long class at 1Rebel with a delicious pre-ordered smoothie, laughing and de-briefing our morning. We also used the time to briefly chat work, and introduce different agencies to each other, before we headed our separate ways for the busy day ahead. It felt so great gifting agency partners with something positive for their mental health, and it was such a refreshing way to start their day.
The response we had from the Reformer Pilates class was amazing, and we already have a list of people who would love to come to the next one. Something different, and something to remember, rather than a night we’d prefer to forget! We are going to make it a monthly event, so look out for the invite from KODE and Wave in your inbox. ;)
