Stop thinking in binary when it comes to your response(s) to early signals of workplace harm. You can give the offender grace AND document their behavior. The grace may leave -- and your record will remain.

Please read this chapter to see applied practices of slow librarianship (H/T: @librarianmer.bsky.social), & to see real responses when resilience narratives are presented to library employees. Reveal the gaps & show the impacts for more humane results! Thank you @amandaelaan.bsky.social

Hi CDC and friends, CDC current and former staff have created a mutual aid network called CDC mutual aid 💚 If you are looking for resources or want to help support cdc workers check out this website: www.cdcresourceportal.org @cdcmutualaid.bsky.social

👇👇

Nobody in the world, nobody in history, has ever gotten their freedom by appealing to the moral sense of the people who were oppressing them. - Assata Shakur Pic of the day #photography

A quick reminder that mean people do can do nice things. In fact, they'll remind you of The Nice Thing They Did while they are planning or perpetuating harm - and when they're trying to distract you from it.

Does your organization have a GOTCHA Culture?

When we're excited about our work & its potential for good is exactly when we should be most aware & honoring of our capacity. Otherwise, excitement will be subsumed into others' ideas of passion - allowing reduction of resources and valorization of overwork. Honoring capacity = self-preservation.

Implementing a "Free to Focus" mandate while relying on Google Classroom is nasty work.

Hey hi hello - a quick reminder: If you want a bully to let up, giving them what they are demanding will intensify their intimidation/manipulation tactics. They want the power - not the deal.

You don't need to refresh your house for fall. Put that card back in your wallet and face what you're feeling. You have everything you need.

Keeping Toni Morrison at the front of my mind and as a salve to my heart today. The ancestors have told us who we are and remind us of our purpose and innate humaneness.

People often ignore empathy and seek performances of niceness instead.

Renewers, I'm rounding out the year with a few more facilitation and teaching events. I hope to see you so we can learn and practice in community! Learn more and register: tinyurl.com/jhcmayku

I'm bringing back my #HoorayOfTheDay...

#SongOfTheDay: "Love Zone" by Billy Ocean: www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYAm...

At a toxic workplace, the interview process/seat is the first site of employee harm.

Anger hides and prevents the presence and processing of relationship/community-building emotions and conversations.

What is an interview question you've fielded (or feared) that potentially causes you to remember (&/or figure out how to side-step/minimize/hide) workplace harm you've faced? Here's a popular one: "Why do you want to leave your current position?" (See an alternative question to use in the comments)

Bullies take pleasure in both expecting you to please them and never being pleased by you.

Renewers, I'll be facilitating an on-site Renewals Workshop with OhioNet in October! Learn more and register soon for this community-building and practice event. www.ohionet.org/event/the-re...

Caelin Ross’ reflection on navigating White fragility and confronting/navigating accountability while facilitating in decolonized contexts reveals vulnerability and resonance – and is soundly situated within the realm of Critical Hope practice. Read on: tinyurl.com/z7wbhuc8

A good Fall reminder: "If you feel like you’re overworking, that you can’t slow down when you need rest, if you feel guilty for taking sick days when you need them, if you rely on getting things done for your self-worth, it’s worth interrogating the stories you tell about yourself and your work."

Today, and everyday: #YIBAMBE #ChadwickBoseman #RIP www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIA3...

Yoga classes don't stop workplace bullies.

What worries have decreased for you since you left your toxic job?

If you have flexibility to leave your toxic job & find yourself struggling to solidify your exit plan, check out some common mindsets & affirmations to help you reset. Which one of these is familiar? (my study on leaving toxic libraries includes participant advice on leaving: tinyurl.com/234fd7hj).

I have talked to a lot of people in my life who are experiencing political despair lately. Fwiw, here are 3 books I recommend for that: 1. Let This Radicalize You by Mariame Kaba and Kelly Hayes 2. Hope in the Dark by Rebecca Solnit 3. A Paradise Built in Hell, also Rebecca Solnit

You don't have to earn the right -or wait a certain amount of time - to leave a toxic job.

My latest essay -- Rest as a productive act -- is out, in which I encourage folks to reframe rest and consider why they so often cheat themselves out of it for work that probably isn't nearly as important. meredith.wolfwater.com/wordpress/20...

How about that? A victory for people who actually read.

JJ Pionke has a new article on supporting library workers through anticipatory grief-related loss. I appreciate the policy considerations - in particular, the nod to chosen family/estrangement & grief/loss that is often disenfranchised (i.e., pet loss). What would you add? tinyurl.com/5fj2dcrv

Missing the great people you used to work with at your toxic job is not a signal that you're broken. It's a signal that you're human(e).

For instant chill/deep focus, open two tabs: #Khruangbin's "The Universe Smiles Upon You" (Youtube) and Rainymood.com #music

How might library workers expand helping people to include awareness of - and preparation for - times when help may cause or extend harm? In a short article, I explore the principle of Beneficence & applications for library work & development. Start here: tinyurl.com/yvdp3f5u

Colleagues, our colleague Fobazi Ettarh needs support during and after recovery - head here to learn more: www.gofundme.com/f/support-fo...

Hey Renewers, here are some events where I'll be speaking or teaching soon! I hope we'll see each other at any or all of them. Learn more (and get the link to enroll in the new LJ/SLJ course, "Managing Stress & Burnout") at tinyurl.com/meb34kyd

Renewers, Here's the last part of my Inaugural Report exploring #MoralInjury during #LowMorale experiences. This part includes deeper narrative insight from participants, with a focus on resulting actions & behaviors, spiritual / sacred practices, & #career outlook: tinyurl.com/mp3tvx92

Just sitting here thinkin' about how policies interrupt interpersonal care and community-building.

When you are feeling weary or despairing, remember that there are people in every corner of the world taking life affirming action in the direction of more justice. The fact that you can't see it all is a comfort because it means there is an excess of positive actions happening all at once. #onwards

Offering and sharing care doesn't require any formal systems.

Renewers, if you're grappling with recentering your Whole Life while facing or recovering from workplace harm, try these pathways. They can be applied whether you're place bound in your toxic workplace or if you're clarifying your exit. Save & share for empowerment & #SelfPreservation.

Renewers, I've started a new project! "Reconstitution & Recovery: Sharing Encouragement During & After Low- Morale Experiences" gives folks a chance to share insight & supportive messages for others facing workplace harm, or who are continuing their recovery. Participate at tinyurl.com/36ehy2ya

Hey hi hello! I'm sharing a general reminder that years of experience and/or longevity with an organization does not equal an ability to lead.

Happening in about 45 minutes - see you there :-)

#RecoveryInTheBooks: We #read for joy. We read for learning. And when we read, we can recognize ourselves in others, and find pathways to recovery. Have you read "Pachinko" by @lee_minjin? Find a copy near you: search.worldcat.org/title/986965...

Earlier this spring, I joined hosts of the #Overdue #podcast (produced by @oregonlibraryassoc.bsky.social). Listen in to hear the resonant conversations and reflections we had about workplace harm, #CollectiveCare, and practices that may aid in #LowMorale experience recovery. tinyurl.com/bde4ktw6

And that's that! #AudreLorde #CriticalHope

I'm enjoying the glimmers people are posting today: pets, snacks, skies, landscapes, trees. Everything is wrong. Some things are still right.

Hope is possible - and grows with - community. This month, join me in conversation to explore immediately applicable pathways to Critical Hope & Joy Reclamation Practice for our whole-hearted, human selves. This event is free - register at tinyurl.com/yt4s23cx (note new date: July 15)