August

Lughnasadh/August and workplace wellbeing

“This morning, the sun endures past dawn. I realise that it is August: the summers last stand.” Sara Baume, from the book A Line made by walking

We have crossed an old boundary into August. It was and still is, a healthy action to mark the passing of time and seasons with rituals and ceremony. Lughnasadh is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals (Samhain (Oct 31), Imbolc (Feb 1), Bealtaine (May 1), and Lughnasadh (Aug 1). It is an ancient Celtic festival named after Lugh, the Celtic God of Light, which marks the beginning of the harvest season and autumn in Ireland. Lughnasadh is the Gaelic word used for August.

In ancient times, Lughnasadh involved gatherings that included ceremonies and athletic contests including the Tailteann Games, this is also seen in the Olympics today. Many of Ireland's mountains and hills were climbed at Lughnasadh.

What mountain range, hill walks or activities would you pick now if you made the time?

Please see links below for information on hiking clubs including the IPA Hiking Club

Clubs - IPA Ireland click here for IPA club info

Hiking (mountaineering.ie) click here for a hiking club near you

Three prompts for mental health this season. Find a quiet moment to internally ask:

How can I bring more quality presence, either in nature or with people close to me, into my August days?

Reflect on a memory from past holidays that brings you a sense of connection and joy. What is it about this memory that moves you?

Are there any hobbies, courses, activities you’d like to try before August is over?

Workplace wellbeing and conditions of worth

 “When you are driven to work too hard, you actually ignore what matters” – Gabor Mate

As humans we can be conditioned to feel like we need to justify ourselves, at times we overwork and strive to be good enough.

Hard work obviously matters, but what can be forgotten are the memories we make, spending time with our loved ones, and finding stillness for ourselves. In this section we will look as to why we might sacrifice health and wellbeing, in the pursuit of achievement.

Conditions of worth are the messages we take on board about what we have to do, to be valued by other people. Feltham and Dryden define ‘conditions of worth’ as ‘the terms on which one receives approval from significant others’ (1993: 34). Conditions of worth can be very subtle yet highly influential in our actions, and they may not be obvious to us.

As children, we quickly learn what behaviours please parents, siblings, teachers, friendship groups and our overall culture.

‘Conditions of worth are transmitted to the child, who learns that s/he is acceptable or lovable if s/he behaves, thinks and feels in certain ways.’ (Tolan, 2003: 4)

Over time, these Learned behaviours become values, values that we adopted from those around us, to enable us to gain their approval. Living by this unconscious expectation of others is a large part of what leads to unhappiness, depression or anxiety.

Example

Frank was always lauded for his hard work by his father but resting was frowned upon. He believes when he excels at work that he is a better person, that he is more valuable as a person. Unfortunately, this unconscious burden leads to anxiety at work, and fall outs with his colleagues due to his unrelenting high standards. He finds it difficult when taking time off in case he is letting people down, missing out. He can’t say no to his manager when asked to do overtime, or take on extra work.

Some conditions of worth: ‘If I am to be of value, I must…’:

Work hard,

don’t disappoint people,

be good at football (any sport),

not cry,

put everyone else’s needs before my own,

not get angry,

not allow mistakes to happen

not show any weakness, vulnerability

be quiet,

do as I am told etc.

Reflection;

1. What conditions of worth may you have experienced, that still negatively affect you now?

Thankfully awareness is the key to change. Also, when we receive unconditional positive regard (when we are accepted by others for who we are rather than what we do) we can experience inherent growth and fulfilment. 

Accepting ourselves requires moving away from conditions of worth and finding our own organic values. ‘Have no conditions of worth and experience unconditional self-regard’ (Merry, 2014: 40).

Please find details on an upcoming Aware webinar on the similar topic of Attachment styles.

Attachment Styles & Relationships

Aug 14, 2024 12:00 PM

Upcoming Aware Webinars | Monthly | Mental Health | Aware

If you are unable to attend live, you can still register below and automatically receive a link the next day to watch it back.

 Click here to register for the upcoming webinar on attachment styles and relationships

click here to access inspire wellbeing