Jun 03, 2025
At times in my career, I’ve found myself disconnected — from my physical, mental, or emotional health, sometimes just one, sometimes all three. What I’ve come to learn is that these aspects of ourselves aren’t linear, their roads don’t move forward in tidy, parallel lanes. They’re not in constant harmony, politely checking in on each other — “You got this, Physical?” asks Emotional. “Yep, I’m good,” says Physical. “You okay over there, Emotional?” “Yes, all peachy here, thanks.”
The complex human just doesn’t work like that.
Add in the challenge of juggling our personal and professional lives, and it’s no surprise our P, M, and E can at times not know which road they are on, and they are in fact running around in a spaghetti junction of circles instead of cruising smoothly side-by-side.
At least a circle does imply connection, and we are connected to ourselves, there’s no getting away from our physical, mental and emotional self. The aim is to be connected whilst travelling forwards, not around in circles, especially within our careers.
I’ve learnt that to keep motoring forward with my P, M and E health intact is to simply show up as my whole and true self. That is the one and only action I can control. When I bring my full self into the room, I build better relationships. Work becomes more meaningful. The outcomes naturally follow.
I enjoy embracing the differences in people and being a part of a wonderfully weird team, all of whom have their quirks and things that are important to keep their own P, M and E engines running. And yes, sometimes one of them stalls. Sometimes all three do. But that’s where strategies come in.
My strategies are to show up as my true self, I work outside in the fresh air as much as I can and encourage walking meetings when possible, to unlock better thinking in a healthy way. I create a lot of fun at the office because work takes up too much of life not to laugh along the way.
And when things aren’t going well? I don’t hide it. I’ve learned the value of vulnerability, to speak up and ask for help or just talk it out. When you show up as your real self, others will do the same. That community — of colleagues, friends, partners — becomes a network of roadbuilders, mechanics, and map-makers, helping keep your journey on track. Because none of us can navigate all this alone.
So, if you take one thing away during Mental Health Awareness Week, let it be this. Don’t strive for perfection across your Physical, Mental, and Emotional health. Strive for connection.
Your working journey is just that. Drive it with your favourite music blaring and your perfectly imperfect but happy work-family in the back, and then P, M and E will be just fine.
Jo Wright, CMO, The Old Station Nursery