I am going to start out this blog talking about a more sombre topic and then I will lead in to some much more Malin related material which I happened upon in conversations this week.

The topic I want to start out on is my take on what I deem to be the “Social Media Poker Face”! Many of us share our stories through a wide range of social media platforms. I am no different and quite enjoy the interaction and the look into other people’s experiences whether every day or exceptional, extraordinary moments.

For me, I was always a “people watcher” (not a stalker…..) and I believe Social Media is todays version of people watching and this is why I enjoy it, most of the time.

However, I also believe that we can through social media truly hide our real life stories behind our poker face. Because let’s face it (no pun intended) not too many of us post pictures or stories about arguments we have, financial struggles we are going through, sadness, exhaustion, depression, loneliness…… and the list goes on. Most of us post happy selfies when the sun shines as we embark on what looks like the journey of a life time.

What we need to remember in all of this is that this is now how the outside world perceives us and even those close to us might struggle to believe that the “real world you” does not feel that good…… Especially if you have an exceptionally good Poker Face.

Just a thought.

The Tap Analogy

My job brings me many places and allows me to meet a lot of people from various walks of life. This is one of the things I enjoy most about my job. (Now I definitely sound like a stalker). When meeting them I take in the things that seem to happen around them, the little things about their personalities and what they say.

This week I had two such conversations that has stayed with me!!

Analogies have always fascinated me and people’s ability to make them up! I am no good at putting them together nor will I ever be!! I might be creative and quick thinking but not for those kind of things. I just complicate them.

But this week I was told one from a work colleague which I thoroughly enjoyed;

We assess risk on a daily basis and this analogy related to that in reference to a tap, yes a water tap. Bear with me here because I probably cant even share it without complicating it;

“If you run the hot tap for too long you will get scalded. Therefore you need to ensure to turn it off from time to time to allow it to cool. Of course you cannot leave it off for too long or you will notice that the water has become freezing cold.  Therefore regular flushing of your taps are advise to ensure that they are continuously lukewarm and as such continuously safe.”

Note that this is an analogy and not a direct safety conversation about taps!!!

What makes it such a great analogy is its ability to fit into so many areas of our lives. Look at friendships, family and that social media poker face. Keep them all lukewarm??!!!

I think, me personally, would be tempted to get burnt every so often!! That’s my wild spirit.

Face Yoga – We Should All Do It

When working on some strategic planning this week myself and a colleague landed, at this stage I don’t remember how, so please don’t ask, on the topic of Face Yoga and one of the core exercises of same being blowing 100 air kisses per day!!!

I would recommend you all to go onto YouTube and search for videos on Face Yoga and then watch and learn the series of exercises you can complete to define your jawline, reduce runners face (yes there is such a thing, which is worrying when you are training for a marathon) and improve any double chins or chicken necks.

So I do believe we should all do it but not for the reason you might think! Sure it will probably have all the benefits we are told about in the tutorials (yes I did check them out) but the absolute best benefit is the laughing!!

Laughing has been proven to;

1. Decrease stress hormones
2. Increase immune cells and as such fight illness
3. Release endorphins which can act as pain relief
4. Give good abs and put our wrinkles in the right places (not so sure about the last one)
5. Make us feel good and increase our confidence
6. Burn calories
7. Connects us with others

On another note, the last one in this fantastic list reminds me of a recent complaint I had when delivering training. Yes complaint, but one I think I can handle. For those of you who don’t know I work in the area of Safety, Health & Wellbeing as an advisor and trainer. So when delivering a 4 day training programme in this topic it was brought to my attention that we had received complaints that we were laughing too much and that we as such were too loud. Never in my career have I been complained for laughing too much and in particular not during a safety course. Who would have thought.

Now of course I also make sure to do Face Yoga everyday while driving my car to work!! Trust me, you nearly break into a sweat!!! 😁 😘