A different kind of tired

On Tuesday night I was in the front row at Duran Duran's home-coming concert in Birmingham. Tomorrow I'm off to Liverpool for the next show in the tour, followed by Leeds on Saturday. I'll be lugging my wheelie case up the station stairs, wondering if it's too deep for the overhead luggage rack and whether the train will be on time, followed by two late nights and odd food at odd times. Nobody sensible would describe it as restful. Yet, even though I'm extremely tired, I'm energised.

I've been thinking about why that is. I catch up with friends I don't see very often. I sing along to songs and still know every word. The excellent support act is a band from Margate, Pigeon, a good reminder that there is always new music to find. Live music has always done this for me. It has been my antidote to tough times for m whole life, and being in a room full of people singing and dancing gives me something that I can't get any other way.

My Youtube video this week is about burnout habits worth leaving behind in 2026, and while I was writing the script I was thinking about the different kinds of tired. I've had jobs with really long hours including at weekends, doing something I enjoyed with people I enjoyed spending time with. Jobs with fewer hours and unpleasant people have tired me more. There is the tired that drains you, and there is a different kind of tired, the kind that fills you up.

When we talk about resting from work or anything else, we tend to think of an early night, the quiet weekend, the week on a beach doing nothing. But I think what restores a person is very particular to them. Even particular to them on different days. For me on some days, it's a front row and singing along to the chorus. For the same me on other days, it might be weeding the garden, a long walk, reading a book. Exploring with your team or colleagues what rest looks like for them could be a useful conversation to have. The more I learn about workplaces and the people within them, the more I'm certain that running things the same way for everyone ends up suiting no one very well.

Another thing I keep thinking about this week. I go to Duran Duran concerts at 58, partly to honour the 14-year-old I was and the passions she had, and partly to celebrate the fact that I still can. I'm healthy and wealthy enough to do it. Health, money and time are what make this kind of restoration possible, and none of them are distributed equally. So many of us have the tiredness without the access. So when we say "look after yourself", we ought to be mindful about what it costs and who can afford it.

Here is the question I'd leave with you this week. Do you know what restores each person on your team, and is there anything in the way you run things that makes it harder for them to get it?

On Wednesday 28 October at 5.30pm UK time, we have a live call in The Changing Room. It’s a chance for me and other members to come together, talk things through and see each other’s faces. If you’re already a member, I’d love to see you there. If you’ve been meaning to join, it's free for Founder members for three months, so this is a good moment. Click the button below:

Job hunting? It's a tough market out there. I'm working with Giving Back Recruitment to run some practical and FREE workshops about getting your next leadership role. Dates and details here

What am I reading? 📚

In honour of the spooky season, I'm reading Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. Wooooh!

What am I watching? 👀

This week's video: Three Burnout Habits To Leave Behind in 2026

What am I listening to?👂

Pigeon, the new band from Margate who are supporting Duran Duran during this leg of the tour. I think they're great. Listen to their new album here.

Joy-giving things 😍

With my dear friend Samantha on her 100th Duran Duran gig!

Have a restful weekend, everyone. Mine will be loud, and I'm looking forward to it.

Lucy

I've been writing regular blogs since 2020. If you want to have a look at my back catalogue, they are all here.

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