#183: Supporting Ukraine
I had a newsletter scheduled for today on dealing with criticism
Yet as I watch the news and see the Russian invasion of Ukraine unfolding.
I can’t make sense of writing about anything else.
Dealing with criticism will have to wait until next week.
I’ve been reading and researching the best ways that I can support the situation and become active.
The posts on social media are great. Adding the Ukrainian emoji to your bio is great.
Yet I’ve been wondering what I can actually do in a more meaningful way.
There’s a lot out there. These are the two resources that I felt would be most valuable to share with this community.
1. Global list of resources. This is like a master document. Including donations, charities, country specific actions and more.
2. HR specific resources. Supporting employees impacted by the conflict, either in Ukraine, Russia or elsewhere.
The first is the simplest single resource I found which easily guides you to all the different actions you can take. So you don’t feel bombarded and overwhelmed, I’ve only linked this one, there are many resources. I felt it was easier to just share one master resource.
Personally I have made a donation to the National Bank of Ukraine and I have signed the petition for Nato to close the airspace over Ukraine.
This isn’t even close, not even deserving of being in the same breath as fighting for your right to live or being traumatised by the destruction of war. It's something more than nothing though.
Sometimes, I find that a sense of powerlessness washes over me. I lose my agency, I think what's the point in me signing a petition or making a donation? What's the point in me even writing this newsletter? I wish i was the Primeminster I wish I could do something. I wish I had power.
I spiral, I see the news, I see the horrifying acts. I still feel the backdrop of a climate crisis accelerating whilst humanity still wages war. I see homelessness, wealth inequality, racism, humunguous social issues. I see people in suits shouting at eachother in big halls. Again, i think, what's the point? Why do I matter in all of this? Maybe I don't matter in all of this. Perhaps I should just be a passenger? Let it all play out. Let the world crumble, I'll book another holiday and forget about it all. Be selfish, live my life.
We do have some agency though, we do have some power. We can make a difference with our voice, with our wallets, with our actions. It might not be much, but it' something. At least that's how I'm consoling myself today.
In this instance, it’s a tiny bit of action by those of us protected from war by our government or borders. Perhaps if we all do a tiny bit it will amount to a lot.
Cheers,
James x
Poem of the week.
The end and the beginning by Wislawa Szymborska
A poignant and difficult read for what's going on right now.
A snippet from a talk I gave at Staffs Uni
What I'm listening to/watching
The new Kanye documentary on Netflix. Whatever you may think of him, seeing his story is well worth it. Getting behind scenes footage of one of the most influential musicians in the last 20 years is incredible.
What I'm writing
My new segment Crazy Talk Here i'll be sharing all the wacky ideas in my head for what to work on next.
All of my Published Writing here
What I'm reading
I write reviews of what I've read on Good Reads.
I'm in between books at the moment. I like to have a pause after reading one to let it settle a bit so I absorb it. Piranesi was great. Review on Good Reads incoming. Will be a 4/5.
My pocket read is Upstream by Mary Oliver.
My book - 'Mental Health at Work'
You can order my book 'Mental Health at Work' from Amazon, Bookshop.org, Foyles and Waterstones
You can listen to my book as an Audio Book too! Here it is on Audble.
Personal Website with writing and other bits -
https://jamesroutledge.co/
Sanctus website with more about Coaching in the workplace -
https://sanctus.io/
Who am I?
I'm Founder of Sanctus and Author of "Mental Health at Work"
I write this newsletter about mental health, startups and my life journey. 8,000 people like it enough to still be here. I try to respond to everyone who emails me, it just takes me a while.