In a world where we’re always available, how do you separate your personal time from your work time?
I’m a great advocate of two phones: one for work and one for home. Whilst you are still be contactable, it reduces the temptation to check the work emails quite so much
What’s one thing you do after the work day to help you unwind?
A friend recently gave me a book subscription – a wonderful idea that involves a consultation with a "bibliotherapist" and a hand-selected book delivered every month. My train journey home is a great opportunity to unwind whilst exploring some fantastic books I would never have known about otherwise.
What activity do you do in your time away from the office that helps you relax and recentre after a stressful week?
Running is my meditation. Getting out into the fresh air, the all-consuming nature of trying not to fall over or embarrass myself and the post-run endorphins definitely refresh and rebalance me.
What’s something you’ve read, listened to or seen in your spare time that’s helped you at work?
One of my recent book subscription arrivals was Think Again by Adam Grant, a great read about the importance of unlearning, rethinking and embracing the joy of being wrong to ensure you’re always progressing in an ever-changing world.
After home and the office, where’s your favourite third space?
The theatre is my happy place. I really missed the quality and variety of the London theatre scene whilst I was living abroad and I now spend a lot of my spare time and salary at The Bridge, The Young Vic and The National to name just a few. Somehow I’ve got three theatre trips this week!
On Sunday night, how do you prepare yourself for the week ahead?
I try and keep Sunday night for family and friends to ensure I’m as refreshed as possible for the week ahead. The email catch up starts on the train on Monday morning.
Best reason you've had to turn your Out Of Office on recently?
A wonderful 10 days in Oman. Travelling is one of my greatest passions so exploring the culture, hiking in the mountains and canyoning through the hidden gorges was such a joy after the last couple of years of limited travel.
Your go-to Out Of Office outfit: Jeans and a Wyse top (a former Walpole Brand of Tomorrow). I think I definitely added to Wyse’s profits over lockdown
Your happy place anywhere in the world: Puglia, Italy. As a classics graduate who has worked in food and wine for over 20 years there could be no better place.
Your favourite bar or restaurant: The Glasshouse at Kew is one of my all time favourites. The cheeseboard there is the stuff of dreams.
Something you booked recently that you'd recommend: I recently saw Punchdrdunk’s The Burnt City, an immersive theatre production with a scale and attention to detail that is just outstanding. I love Punchdrunk and for anyone who hasn’t made it to one of their productions, buy a ticket now!
Something you've listened to or read recently that you'd recommend: I am a great fan of No Such Thing As A Fish – a weekly podcast from the QI Elves who share their facts of the week. It’s fun and informative and great for pub quizzes.
Hobby you'd like to cultivate: Given my love of Italy I’d love to be fluent in Italian one day.
Luxury that’s actually a necessity: Single garden tea. Once you realise how good tea can be you just can’t go back. At JING we source teas with distinctive flavours created by the harmony of their lands and their makers. I love seeing people’s reactions when they try them for the first time and how wowed they are by them. The great thing is that by paying a little more you not only get an immeasurably better cup of tea but also you know there’s enough money going into the supply chain to support the amazing people behind them and sustain the skills of the master craftsmen for generations to come
Best luxury under £25: JING’s Ali Shan tea. This mountain-grown Oolong is grown by the inspiring Chen family in one of Taiwan’s most beautiful national parks. Each cup has the most amazing notes of apricot, cream and strawberry and I always have some on hand.
