Walpole: In a world where we’re always available, how do you separate your personal time from your work time?
Madeline Somers Eve: Just put the phone away! I have two young boys, so I am really keen not to sit on my phone around them too much – and when you're not on your phone, you soon feel nicely disconnected.
What’s one thing you do after the workday to help you unwind?
Exercise – either go for a run or do a spin class. I am lucky to have an exercise bike at home so there's no excuse not to do it.
What activity do you do in your time away from the office that helps you relax and recentre after a stressful week?
Getting outdoors, be it for a family walk, a hike or a run. Just being in fresh air and nature is the best and fastest way to clear your head, have a little perspective and release good endorphins. Plus, living in the countryside, it has the added benefit of no phone signal!
What’s something you’ve read, listened to, or seen in your spare time that’s helped you at work?
The Diary of a CEO podcast. It has helped me learn so much both about myself and others.
After home and the office, where’s your favourite ‘third space’?
Pretty much any country pub where you can smell the log fire as you approach, has a good wine list, and is in a beautiful setting.
On Sunday night, how do you prepare yourself for the week ahead?
We do a proper family lunch every Sunday at 4pm then, come wind, rain or shine, go for a walk in the fields behind us before it gets dark. It’s a moment of calm and consistency in the week that I love.
Best reason you've had to turn your Out of Office on recently?
A week in Mauritius in December – total bliss!
